The jury's decision against Greenpeace marks a significant shift in the ongoing battle between environmental activists and major oil companies, raising concerns about the potential impact on the organization's future.
Climate Activism Faces Heavy Blow as Jury Rules Against Greenpeace
Climate Activism Faces Heavy Blow as Jury Rules Against Greenpeace
A North Dakota jury has awarded Energy Transfer hundreds of millions in damages, finding Greenpeace liable for its involvement in Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
A North Dakota jury has delivered a stunning verdict, awarding the pipeline company Energy Transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in a lawsuit against Greenpeace. The ruling, which emerged from protests about the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly a decade ago, could have devastating consequences for the environmental organization, which argues the heavily contested case disables its ability to operate.
Greenpeace has long insisted that its influence over the protests was minimal, often stressing that it was primarily aligned with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their opposition to the pipeline's construction. However, the jury in Mandan, N.D., appeared unconvinced after two days of deliberations, siding instead with Energy Transfer, a major player in the oil industry.
Kelcy Warren, co-founder and board chairman of Energy Transfer and known for his support of President Trump, claimed during the trial that the company was forced to confront what he described as a damaging and false narrative created by the activists. During closing arguments, he asserted that the protesters had inflicted significant harm, prompting the legal action.
The initial protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline attracted considerable attention and drew thousands to encampments in 2016 and 2017, galvanizing support for Native American rights and environmentalism alike. The ramifications of this jury decision are likely to echo through the realms of activism and corporate accountability for years to come.
