The North Dakota ruling against Greenpeace is a threat to free speech | Sushma Raman and Anthony Romero
Everyday actions like attending a protest, signing a letter of support, or supporting communities at risk should never be considered ‘unlawful’
The first amendment guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. It will have little meaning if multibillion-dollar corporations can sue peaceful protesters out of existence for their speech. Yet, that’s exactly what was decided in a small courtroom in Morton county, North Dakota.
Energy Transfer – a Dallas-based fossil fuel company that is responsible for the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) – sued two Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc and Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International. Energy Transfer was awarded more than $660m in a highly watched, month-long case. Greenpeace will appeal the verdict.
Sushma Raman is the interim executive director of Greenpeace USA
Anthony Romero is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union
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