· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A $300 million lawsuit against Greenpeace by Texas-based Energy Transfer goes to trial in North Dakota
• The company accuses Greenpeace of defamation, trespassing, and disrupting construction during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in 2016-2017
• Greenpeace argues the case threatens free speech and aims to silence environmental activism
🔭 The context: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposed the pipeline, citing threats to their water supply, sparking mass protests and hundreds of arrests
• Energy Transfer claims the protests delayed the project and added significant costs
• A similar federal lawsuit was dismissed in 2019, but the company refiled in state court
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The case could set a precedent for how corporations respond to environmental activism
• Greenpeace warns that a ruling against them could deter future protests on climate issues
• The lawsuit reflects broader tensions between fossil fuel companies and climate advocates
⏭️ What's next: The jury trial is set to last five weeks
• Greenpeace has filed a counter lawsuit in Amsterdam, accusing Energy Transfer of intimidation through litigation
• A ruling in favor of Energy Transfer could reshape legal risks for activist groups worldwide
💬 One quote: “If successful, this kind of tactic could have a serious chilling effect on anyone who might consider participating in a protest.” — Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace USA
📈 One stat: Energy Transfer claims the protests increased pipeline costs by at least $300 million (€286.5 million)
Click for more news covering the latest on environmental rights
