As Trump pushes ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda, Greenpeace verdict offers startling outlook for environmental activismA pipeline company’s victory in court over Greenpeace, and the huge damages it now faces, will encourage other oil and gas companies to legally pursue environmental protesters at a time when Donald Trump’s energy agenda is in ascendancy, experts have warned.On Wednesday a North Dakota jury ruled that three Greenpeace entities collectively must pay Energy Transfer, which was co-founded by a prominent Trump donor, more than $660m, deciding that the organizations were liable for defamation and other claims after a five-week trial in Mandan, near where the Dakota Access pipeline protests occurred in 2016 and 2017. Continue reading...
A jury ruled that Greenpeace entities must pay Energy Transfer over $660 million for defamation and other claims related to Dakota Access pipeline protests. Experts warn this verdict will embolden oil and gas companies to legally pursue environmental protesters, potentially chilling free speech and activism, especially with Donald Trump's energy agenda. Critics argue the lawsuit is a "tax on speech" that could bankrupt Greenpeace and silence opposition to corporate actions.
