Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Greenpeace faces $660 mln penalty over pipeline protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Mar 2025 14:15
3 Min Read

Greenpeace, which had expressed concerns about receiving a fair trial in a region dominated by the oil and gas industry, warned that the loss could lead to the bankruptcy of its US operations.

Listen
  • x
  • In this Nov. 2, 2016 file photo, protesters demonstrating against the expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline wade in cold creek waters confronting local police as remnants of pepper spray waft over the crowd near Cannon Ball, N.D. North Dakota. (AP)
    In this November 2, 2016 file photo, protesters demonstrating against the expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline wade in cold creek waters confronting local police as remnants of pepper spray waft over the crowd near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. (AP)

A North Dakota jury has ruled that Greenpeace must pay at least $660 million to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access pipeline, for defamation and other claims related to protests in 2016 and 2017.

Energy Transfer had accused Greenpeace of inciting illegal activities by orchestrating a misinformation campaign that led to criminal behavior at the protest sites. Greenpeace denied the allegations, asserting that such lawsuits aim to suppress peaceful protest rights.

The jury found in favor of Energy Transfer on most counts, awarding the company a substantial financial judgment. Greenpeace, which had expressed concerns about receiving a fair trial in a region dominated by the oil and gas industry, warned that the loss could lead to the bankruptcy of its US operations. The environmental group plans to appeal the decision.

The case has drawn attention from constitutional rights experts and activists, with many expressing concerns about the potential chilling effect on free speech and activism. Greenpeace’s senior legal advisor, Deepa Padmanabha, emphasized that the trial highlighted Energy Transfer's disregard for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's voices, adding, "We should all be concerned about the future of the First Amendment, and lawsuits like these aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech."

Related News

Venezuela accuses DEA of false-flag drug plot after cocaine seizure

US judge orders deportation of Mahmoud Khalil to Syria or Algeria

Lawyer slams 'deeply flawed' Greenpeace trial

Kristin Casper, general counsel for Greenpeace International, vowed to continue the fight, stating, "Energy Transfer hasn’t heard the last of us in this fight." Greenpeace plans to pursue an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuit against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands this July.

Energy Transfer expressed satisfaction with the verdict, claiming it was a victory for the people of North Dakota who had endured disruptions caused by the protests. Trey Cox, Energy Transfer’s attorney, called the verdict "resounding" and underscored that Greenpeace’s actions had been unlawful.

However, concerns about an unbiased jury were prevalent throughout the trial, given the local community’s strong ties to the fossil fuel industry and the widespread disdain for the protests. Greenpeace also alleged that mysterious right-wing mailers aimed at influencing the jury pool could have tainted the proceedings. Despite attempts to move the trial, these efforts were rejected by the courts.

Legal experts, including Kirk Herbertson of EarthRights International, argued that the trial’s tactics undermined Greenpeace's ability to present a fair defense. Marty Garbus, a veteran First Amendment lawyer, called the trial “deeply flawed” and expressed confidence that Greenpeace had a strong case on appeal. He concluded, “I have never witnessed a trial as unfair as the one against Greenpeace.”

The case is part of a broader legal effort by Energy Transfer, which originally filed a federal racketeering lawsuit in 2017. Although the federal case was dismissed, Energy Transfer refiled a similar suit in state court in North Dakota.

Read next: Rich countries silence climate protests while promoting rights: Study
 

  • United States
  • oil and gas industry
  • greenpeace
  • Energy Transfer
  • climate activists

Most Read

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS