In a landmark decision, a jury has ruled that Greenpeace must pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for its role in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The ruling marks a significant escalation in legal actions against environmental groups engaged in large-scale activism.
The lawsuit, filed by pipeline developer Energy Transfer, accused Greenpeace of orchestrating a campaign that led to financial losses, property damage, and public safety risks. The company argued that the environmental organization engaged in "eco-terrorism" by encouraging unlawful protests that disrupted construction and caused economic harm.
Greenpeace, however, has vowed to appeal the decision, calling it a dangerous precedent that could silence activism. "This ruling is an attack on free speech and the right to protest," said a Greenpeace spokesperson. "We will not back down in the fight to protect the environment and Indigenous rights."
The Dakota Access Pipeline protests, which gained international attention in 2016 and 2017, were led by Native American groups and environmental activists who opposed the pipeline’s route through sacred lands and water sources. The protests resulted in mass arrests and violent clashes with law enforcement.
Legal experts warn that this case could have a chilling effect on environmental advocacy, as corporations increasingly use lawsuits to target activist organizations. Meanwhile, supporters of the ruling argue that companies must be protected from what they view as coordinated efforts to obstruct lawful business operations.
As Greenpeace prepares its legal appeal, the case is expected to remain a focal point in the debate over environmental activism, corporate power, and the limits of protest rights.