Jakarta — Greenpeace has announced its intention to appeal the decision of a North Dakota jury that ruled that Greenpeace entities are liable for over USD 660 million in damages. The verdict was reached in a case that has been ongoing for more than seven years between Greenpeace and Big Oil company Energy Transfer, but Greenpeace has made it clear that the fight is far from over.
On their website on March 20, Greenpeace USA said the decision reaffirmed their belief that the lawsuit is meritless and represents a broader attempt to silence environmental activism.
“We absolutely believe in our legal defense. We believe the law is fully on our side. We believe in what we did at Standing Rock, and that ultimately we will prevail against this meritless lawsuit,” Greenpeace stated in response to the verdict.
A lawsuit aimed at silencing dissent
The lawsuit stems from Greenpeace’s involvement in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) at Standing Rock, where Indigenous-led resistance efforts sought to halt the construction of the pipeline due to environmental and sovereignty concerns. Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace of defamation and racketeering, a charge the environmental organisation has called an abuse of the legal system to stifle opposition.
Greenpeace has long warned that such lawsuits, often referred to as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), pose a serious threat to First Amendment rights. “This lawsuit was designed to scare and divide our movement,” Greenpeace stated. “Instead, the opposite has happened—more than 350,000 individuals and 430 organisations have spoken out against it in the last year alone.”
Standing strong amid legal battles
Oscar Soria, co-CEO of The Common Initiative and a former Greenpeace leader told UK media, The Independent, that the verdict was “a dangerous precedent that threatens the fundamental right to peaceful protest in America”. He said that “this outrageous verdict is nothing short of corporate tyranny masquerading as justice”.
Despite the jury’s verdict, Greenpeace remains committed to its environmental protection and activism mission. The organisation highlighted the unwavering support of its global community, crediting its supporters with sustaining its ability to fight against legal challenges while continuing its advocacy work.
“Greenpeace USA was founded on nonviolent direct action and peaceful protest over 50 years ago, and we’ve exercised our right to peacefully expose environmental harm ever since,” the organisation stated. “No courtroom or judgment can stop that movement.”
Indigenous sovereignty and the fight for free speech
Greenpeace also emphasised the broader implications of the lawsuit, arguing that beyond restricting free speech, the case seeks to erase Indigenous leadership and rewrite the history of the DAPL protests. Quoting Standing Rock Grassroots member Waniya Locke, Greenpeace pointed to a more profound historical struggle: “When you look back at history, they always try to wipe us out.”
The organisation reaffirmed its pride in supporting Indigenous-led resistance at Standing Rock and vowed to continue standing for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty.
Greenpeace remains confident that an appeal will ultimately lead to victory and hopes its case will set a precedent protecting activists from similar legal attacks in the future. “With your support, we will continue living our values for many years to come,” Greenpeace declared, vowing that it will not be silenced and that its movement will endure. (nsh)
Banner photo: ©Stephanie Keith/Greenpeace
