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American Focus > Blog > Environment > Standing Rock was an Indigenous-led movement. Why did Greenpeace take the fall? – Grist
Environment

Standing Rock was an Indigenous-led movement. Why did Greenpeace take the fall? – Grist

Last updated: July 18, 2025 3:01 am
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Standing Rock was an Indigenous-led movement. Why did Greenpeace take the fall? – Grist
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In March 2024, a jury ordered the environmental organization Greenpeace to pay $666 million to the companies behind the Dakota Access pipeline. The companies claimed that Greenpeace was responsible for the protests near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation nearly a decade ago, which drew thousands of people. However, Indigenous leaders, water protectors, activists, and court records all agree that Greenpeace played a minimal role in the Standing Rock movement.

“They’re trying to point the finger at Greenpeace,” said Honorata Defender, a Standing Rock Sioux tribal member who helped initiate the movement. “Because God forbid some Indians think for themselves and make a decision to stand up for themselves and their water and their land.”

The protesters, who referred to themselves as “water protectors,” began their demonstrations near a highway where construction was approaching the river in August 2016. Most of them were Oceti Sakowin – Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples. This marked the early days of the #NoDAPL movement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted a crucial permit for the Dakota Access pipeline to pass under the Missouri River.

Energy Transfer, the company behind the pipeline, initially considered constructing it upstream of the twin cities of Bismarck and Mandan in North Dakota, which are predominantly inhabited by white people. However, due to concerns about potentially harming the cities’ drinking water supply, the route was rerouted to cross the river just north of the Standing Rock reservation’s own drinking water intake.

To Dave Archambault, then-chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, this decision was seen as environmental racism. Tribal leaders were also worried about the potential destruction of culturally significant sites along the pipeline route. Two days after the Army Corps issued the key permit to Energy Transfer for the new route, the tribe filed a lawsuit, arguing that a deeper review of the route and substantial consultation should have been conducted before construction proceeded.

As small protests began, the Army Corps had not issued an easement, allowing Energy Transfer to build under the river on land owned by the U.S. government. However, construction on private land was permitted, leading to increased tensions. Chairman Archambault was among more than a dozen individuals arrested in August for attempting to block pipeline construction.

While mainstream media initially paid little attention to these protests, they gained visibility quickly in Indigenous digital spaces. The #NoDAPL movement grew rapidly, drawing attention to the issues of environmental racism and tribal sovereignty. Greenpeace’s involvement in the movement was minimal, with the organization playing a supportive role at best. Water protectors quickly mobilized to the area, forming a human chain to block the machines. The bulldozers continued to move forward, pushing the protectors back. The situation quickly escalated, with tensions running high as the protectors stood their ground.

As the confrontation unfolded, the water protectors began broadcasting the events live on social media, drawing attention from around the world. Images of peaceful protesters being met with force by law enforcement and private security quickly spread, sparking outrage and solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

The actions of the water protectors at Standing Rock became a rallying cry for Indigenous peoples across the country. People from different tribes and nations traveled to North Dakota to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and protect the land and water from the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The leadership of Chairman Dave Archambault and organizers like Nick Tilsen and Tom Goldtooth played a crucial role in coordinating the nonviolent direct actions and trainings that empowered the water protectors. The principles of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience were central to their approach, emphasizing discipline and effectiveness in their actions.

With the support of organizations like Greenpeace and the Indigenous Peoples Power Project, the water protectors at Standing Rock were able to amplify their message and draw attention to the environmental and cultural threats posed by the pipeline. The efforts of individuals like Tim Mentz, who documented the cultural sites threatened by the pipeline, highlighted the importance of protecting Indigenous heritage and sacred places.

The standoff at Standing Rock continued to escalate in the days following the confrontation at the burial sites. The water protectors remained steadfast in their commitment to peaceful resistance, drawing strength from their unity and shared purpose. The events at Standing Rock would go on to inspire a global movement in support of Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Despite the ongoing protests and legal battles, Energy Transfer continued to push forward with the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Water protectors, including Indigenous peoples, environmental activists, and concerned citizens, stood in opposition to the pipeline, which they argued posed a threat to the environment and sacred lands.

The situation escalated when private security guards, hired by Energy Transfer, used dogs to attack the pipeline opponents. The violent confrontation was captured on video by Democracy Now! and quickly spread across social media, drawing global attention to the Standing Rock protests. The images of security dogs lunging at peaceful protesters sparked outrage and solidarity, leading to a surge in support for the water protectors.

Despite their efforts to stop the construction, Energy Transfer pressed on, grading a 2-mile corridor of land surveyed by water protector LaDonna Brave Bull Allard. The company dug deep into the earth, clearing a significant portion of the site that had been surveyed. Mentz, another water protector, believed that the timing of the construction was deliberate and not a coincidence.

A judge ruled that he did not have the power to halt the construction on private land, allowing Energy Transfer to continue building the pipeline. However, the violent response by security guards and the use of attack dogs against protesters galvanized the movement, attracting more people to join the resistance camps near Standing Rock.

Nonprofits such as Indigenous Environmental Network, 350.org, Bold Alliance, and Greenpeace also joined the fight, providing support and resources to the water protectors. The resistance camps grew in size, with families, community groups, and individuals coming together to stand against the pipeline.

The standoff between water protectors and security forces, including the National Guard, law enforcement officers, and private security contractors, intensified over the following months. Water protectors faced militarized tactics such as armored vehicles, surveillance drones, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons deployed in freezing weather.

While the majority of water protectors adhered to nonviolent principles, some engaged in acts of vandalism and confrontation with law enforcement. The situation reached a critical point in February 2017 when the Army Corps approved Energy Transfer to drill under the Missouri River. Security forces moved in to clear the camps, and the pipeline was successfully completed, bringing an end to the resistance at Standing Rock.

The Standing Rock protests became a symbol of Indigenous rights, environmental activism, and community solidarity. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the water protectors’ dedication and courage inspired a global movement for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. She suspected that the lawsuit was less about winning and more about sending a message to other environmental organizations and activists. It was a warning that if they continued to speak out against powerful corporations like Energy Transfer, they could face similar legal battles.

In the years that followed, Greenpeace and its legal team fought back against Energy Transfer and Gibson Dunn. They argued that the lawsuit was baseless and an attempt to silence legitimate activism. They highlighted the tactics used by TigerSwan to spy on water protectors and the questionable methods employed by the law firm to gather information on activists.

After a long and arduous legal battle, Gibson Dunn would eventually declare victory against Greenpeace in the $666 million lawsuit. However, the victory was not as clear-cut as they had hoped. The lawsuit had dragged on for years, draining both parties of resources and time.

Despite the outcome of the lawsuit, the fight for environmental justice continues. Activists and organizations like Greenpeace remain committed to holding corporations accountable for their actions and protecting the planet. The use of aggressive legal tactics by powerful entities may be a challenge, but it has not deterred those fighting for a more sustainable and just future.

Over the years, Greenpeace has expanded its focus to include a wide range of environmental issues, from deforestation to climate change to plastic pollution. The organization has become known for its bold and sometimes controversial tactics, such as hanging banners off of oil rigs or scaling skyscrapers to protest fossil fuel companies. But at its core, Greenpeace remains committed to peaceful activism and nonviolent protest.

The lawsuits filed against Greenpeace by companies like Resolute Forest Products and Energy Transfer represent a new tactic in the ongoing battle between environmental activists and powerful corporations. Known as SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), these legal actions are designed to intimidate and silence activists by burdening them with costly legal fees and endless court battles.

The RICO suit filed by Kasowitz Benson Torres accused Greenpeace of engaging in racketeering and defamation in its anti-logging campaign against Resolute Forest Products. The suit was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge, but Energy Transfer quickly filed a new version in North Dakota state court. This time, the lawsuit targeted not only Greenpeace but also individual activists and organizations involved in the anti-pipeline movement.

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The allegations in the lawsuit ranged from on-the-ground protest-related damages to defamation claims to tortious interference. Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace and others of spreading false information about the company, damaging its reputation and business relationships in the process. The lawsuit also sought to hold individual activists accountable for their role in the anti-pipeline movement.

The impact of these lawsuits extended far beyond Greenpeace and the individual activists named in them. Subpoenas were issued to organizations like Water Protectors Legal Collective and Unicorn Riot, demanding that they turn over documents and testify in court. The fear of being dragged into a costly legal battle weighed heavily on the water protector community, creating a chilling effect on activism and free speech.

Despite the challenges and obstacles they faced, Greenpeace and its allies remained steadfast in their commitment to fighting for environmental justice. The organization’s founders and supporters rallied around them, offering words of encouragement and support in the face of legal threats.

As the legal battle raged on, Greenpeace continued to advocate for a sustainable and just future for all. The organization’s legacy of peaceful activism and nonviolent protest remains strong, inspiring a new generation of environmental activists to stand up and speak out against corporate greed and environmental destruction.

In the end, the lawsuits filed against Greenpeace were not just about silencing a single organization—they were about silencing an entire movement. But Greenpeace refused to back down, determined to keep fighting for a better world for all. And in the face of adversity, they found strength in solidarity and hope in the power of collective action.

Despite the protests and disagreements within the organization, Greenpeace ultimately decided to accept Energy Transfer’s settlement proposal in order to avoid a potentially catastrophic legal battle. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with some members seeing it as a necessary compromise to ensure the organization’s survival, while others viewed it as a betrayal of their values and principles.

By accepting the settlement, Greenpeace avoided the risk of losing its 50-year legacy, dismantling its global network, and causing reputational damage to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other activists. However, the decision also came with consequences, including potential funding losses, staff resignations, and strained relationships with Indigenous peoples and nations.

Ebony Twilley Martin, the newly appointed executive director of Greenpeace, played a key role in advocating for the settlement as a way to protect the organization and its mission. Despite facing criticism and opposition from some members and stakeholders, Twilley Martin believed that accepting the settlement was the best course of action given the circumstances.

While the decision to settle may have been a difficult one, Greenpeace saw it as a strategic move to protect its future and continue its fight for environmental justice. The organization remains committed to its mission of defending the planet and promoting sustainability, even in the face of challenges and controversies.

As Greenpeace moves forward from this chapter in its history, it will continue to navigate the complexities of activism, advocacy, and legal challenges in order to achieve its goals and make a positive impact on the world.

The article delves into a critical moment in Greenpeace’s history, highlighting a decision that would test the organization’s values and mission. As tensions rose between Greenpeace and Energy Transfer, the stakes were high, with the survival of the organization hanging in the balance.

The article describes a pivotal conversation between Greenpeace and Energy Transfer, where the gravity of the situation was made clear. Greenpeace made it explicit that accepting Energy Transfer’s terms would mean severing ties with them, a decision that would have significant consequences for both parties. The conversation emphasized the life and death implications of the issue, particularly for Indigenous peoples and the environment.

The article also explores the internal discussions within Greenpeace leading up to the board’s decision to reject the settlement proposal. While some members saw the settlement as a way to protect the organization’s financial viability, others, like Niria Alicia Garcia, emphasized the importance of staying true to Greenpeace’s mission and purpose.

Ultimately, Greenpeace’s board voted to reject the settlement proposal, leading to the departure of Ebony Twilley Martin, the organization’s first Black woman executive director. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, Greenpeace chose to prioritize its values and commitment to the movement over short-term gains.

As the legal battle with Energy Transfer continued, the article shifts to the courtroom, where jury selection for the trial began. The challenges of finding unbiased jurors in a community impacted by the Standing Rock protests were evident, highlighting the deep-rooted divisions and emotions surrounding the issue.

The article also touches on the emergence of Central ND News, a newspaper that stirred up memories of the Standing Rock protests and added to the complexity of the situation. With the trial looming, the fate of Greenpeace and its fight against Energy Transfer hangs in the balance, underscoring the broader implications of the case for the environmental movement and beyond. The aftermath of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests continues to be felt, with recent headlines shedding light on the negative consequences of the demonstrations. One headline highlighted the words of a former protester who expressed regret over the local ecological disaster that was created as a result of the protests. Another headline recalled the tense atmosphere in October 2016 when area schools were forced into lockdown due to the response to the pipeline protests.

These articles were part of a series published by Central ND News, a media company under Metric Media, which has been criticized for its pay-for-play practices. The network allows corporate executives and political operatives to commission articles and target specific audiences. The latest stories were seemingly aimed at residents of Morton County, where the Standing Rock protests took place, and where jurors for a related trial were selected. Court filings suggest a connection between Energy Transfer’s board chair, Kelcy Warren, and the newspapers, although Metric Media did not respond to requests for comment.

During the jury selection process for the trial related to the protests, it became evident that many potential jurors had biases and financial ties to the fossil fuel industry. A survey commissioned by Greenpeace revealed that 97 percent of respondents showed bias against Greenpeace or Energy Transfer. Some potential jurors disclosed their connections to the petroleum industry and expressed discomfort ruling against it. One juror even had a family member in law enforcement who had policed the protests, raising concerns about impartiality.

Despite objections from Greenpeace’s lawyers, one juror with ties to the fossil fuel industry was allowed to remain in the jury pool. Ultimately, seven out of the 11 jurors and alternates selected had economic ties to the fossil fuel industry, raising questions about the fairness of the trial.

The selection of a jury with such strong connections to the fossil fuel industry raises concerns about the impartiality of the trial and the ability of the jurors to fairly consider the evidence presented. As the trial moves forward, it remains to be seen how these biases and financial ties will impact the outcome and whether justice will be served for all parties involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Nobody on the jury identified themselves as Indigenous during the trial of the Greenpeace Six. The absence of Indigenous representation on the jury was stark, given the context of the case involving the Dakota Access pipeline and its impact on Indigenous communities.

Opening arguments began the following day, with the Gibson Dunn lawyer, Trey Cox, presenting the case against the Greenpeace Six. He displayed headshots of the six individuals, all employees of Greenpeace Inc., and emphasized that they were not local to the community and were professionals who had embedded themselves in the area.

Energy Transfer’s first witness, Mike Futch, project manager for the North Dakota section of the pipeline, testified about the violence perpetrated by private security and protesters. Futch claimed that the property damage and violence were caused by protesters attacking construction sites and security personnel. This testimony was supported by law enforcement officers who also painted the protesters as the instigators of violence.

Cox argued that Greenpeace’s allegations of violence against nonviolent protesters by law enforcement and security were defamatory. Video depositions from Greenpeace employees were played, showing their involvement in scouting the pipeline route and coordinating with Indigenous organizers at the camps.

One Greenpeace employee, Davy Khoury, discussed driving along back roads to gather information about construction activities and suggested protest strategies to disrupt the pipeline construction. Despite these suggestions, Greenpeace lawyers later pointed out that the proposed protests likely never took place.

Overall, the trial highlighted the role of Greenpeace employees in supporting Indigenous-led resistance at Standing Rock and their involvement in nonviolent direct action training. While the Greenpeace Six were accused of escalating tensions, their actions were framed as part of a broader movement to protect Indigenous rights and the environment.

The lack of Indigenous representation on the jury underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in seeking justice and recognition in the legal system. As the trial continued, it raised important questions about environmental activism, Indigenous sovereignty, and the power dynamics at play in the fight against pipelines like the Dakota Access pipeline. Rather than external organizations or groups, it was the people from the area who truly set the agenda during the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access pipeline. Energy Transfer alleged that Greenpeace provided funding for Standing Rock amounting to $55,000, with additional donations totaling $90,000 directed by Greenpeace’s executive director at the time, Annie Leonard. This financial support, along with a defamatory information campaign, had a significant impact on Energy Transfer, leading to massive expenses.

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According to Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, Energy Transfer spent $7 million on PR firms to handle the protests, $8.5 million to acquire controversial land where burial sites were found, and millions more on changes to construction plans and delays in pipeline operations. The pipeline was delayed from starting oil pumping until June 2017, costing the company an additional $80 million.

During the trial, it became evident that law enforcement witnesses and Energy Transfer personnel were not well-versed about Greenpeace’s involvement. Despite allegations, Greenpeace hardly featured in the daily intelligence reports by the private security firm TigerSwan during Standing Rock. Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier testified that up to 10,000 people were at the camps during the peak of the protest, driven by social media coverage, dog attacks, and the belief that the pipeline encroached on the tribe’s unceded territory.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers, filed before the protest camps grew, played a crucial role in delaying the pipeline’s operation. The Army Corps denied the easement in December 2016 under pressure from Standing Rock and other Indigenous nations, ordering a more thorough environmental review. Energy Transfer did not have permission to drill for most of the protest duration, with approval only coming in February 2017 after President Trump took office.

Energy Transfer’s lawyers were well aware of this timeline, with their efforts to push for permissions and influence the government evident. Ultimately, a draft executive order prepared by Energy Transfer’s lobbyist was signed by President Trump, directing the Army Corps to grant the easement.

Despite the pipeline being installed under the river, legal battles continued as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Indigenous nations pushed for its shutdown. In June 2017, a judge ruled for a partial redo of the environmental review, prolonging the legal proceedings. Energy Transfer alleged in court that Greenpeace’s divestment campaign and defamatory actions led to delays in loan refinancing, costing the company millions.

The true story of the Dakota Access pipeline easement at Standing Rock highlights the grassroots efforts of local people, legal battles, and the influence of external organizations in shaping the outcome of the protests. The ongoing legal battle between the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Energy Transfer over the Dakota Access pipeline has taken a new turn as meeting minutes from Energy Transfer’s board of directors reveal that the decision to hold off on refinancing was actually due to banks’ concerns about the tribe’s legal battle, not Greenpeace as previously claimed.

Doug Crow Ghost, the tribe’s head of water resources, dismissed Greenpeace’s lawsuit as “bullshit,” pointing out that the tribe received $11.7 million in donations related to the pipeline protests, making Greenpeace’s funding of $55,000 and $90,000 negligible in comparison. Additionally, no Standing Rock member testified in the Greenpeace trial, as the tribe does not usually participate in state court proceedings due to federal Indian law.

Energy Transfer had previously accused Greenpeace of defamation for claiming that the pipeline would contaminate the tribe’s water and have severe climate impacts. In order to prove these claims, Energy Transfer would have had to disclose internal documents showing the pipeline’s safety measures. However, the company avoided handing over these records and dropped the defamation claims. Despite this, Greenpeace continued to push for the release of the documents, leading to some becoming public record.

A report commissioned by Greenpeace revealed that Energy Transfer’s contractors allowed 1.4 million gallons of drilling mud, a potentially harmful mixture, to disappear into the environment during pipeline construction. This incident echoed past environmental violations by Energy Transfer, including leaks of drilling mud into wetlands and tap water pollution in Pennsylvania, as well as a spill of 2 million gallons of drilling mud in Ohio.

The revelation of the drilling mud incident prompted the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to file a lawsuit against the Army Corps, citing this as one of the reasons the pipeline should be shut down. Despite the dismissal of the lawsuit in March, the tribe has appealed the decision.

Another point of contention between Energy Transfer and Greenpeace was the accusation of deliberate destruction of sacred sites. The timeline of events leading up to September 3, 2016, when construction crews were reportedly moving towards the river, remains unclear. Tim Mentz’s survey of the area in the days leading up to the construction revealed discrepancies in the handling of sacred sites by Energy Transfer, raising questions about their intentions.

The legal battle between Energy Transfer, Greenpeace, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe continues to unfold, shedding light on the complex issues surrounding the Dakota Access pipeline and its impact on the environment and indigenous communities. The company’s schedule, as outlined in an email, indicated that the bulldozers were not expected to arrive at the area with sacred sites until after September 8. However, on September 2, 2016, the project manager for the North Dakota section of the Dakota Access pipeline, Mike Futch, sent out his construction manager and a security personnel to investigate the sites identified by Mentz.

After the investigation, Futch stated that the features identified by Mentz were outside the planned disturbance limits of the construction. This allowed the construction crews to avoid any stones on the edge of the right-of-way without needing to involve the company’s archaeology specialists or inform the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Surprisingly, Energy Transfer’s bulldozers arrived at the site on September 3, more than six days earlier than indicated in the schedule. Public records confirmed that the company moved its bulldozers at least 15 miles east to the area where Mentz had been working. This unanticipated early arrival of the bulldozers on a holiday weekend raised suspicions that Energy Transfer deliberately destroyed the sites.

Futch admitted in court that they did some out-of-sequence work, not because of the sacred sites, but to avoid interference with a planned powwow in the area. However, the Morton County Sheriff and law enforcement officers claimed they were unaware of this change in plans, which contradicted Futch’s statement.

Additionally, the security company contracted by Energy Transfer was caught off guard when they were suddenly asked to bring dogs to the site the next morning, contrary to their prior expectations of deploying the dogs in mid-September.

During the court proceedings, Energy Transfer disputed the existence of sacred sites at risk and dismissed Mentz’s claims as a fabricated story. The company relied on a report from the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office’s chief archaeologist, Paul Picha, stating that no cultural material or evidence of burials was found in the expected corridor.

However, Picha acknowledged that the assessment by the State Historic Preservation Office may not align with the cultural significance of the sites to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Energy Transfer’s own archaeology contractor, Gray & Pape, concluded in a separate report that four of the sites identified by Mentz were indeed in the path of the pipeline. Jason Kovacs, an archaeologist, reported that the four stones in question did not show signs of being archaeological sites, and there was no ground disturbance found except for one stone that was covered in dirt. However, during his deposition for trial, Kovacs clarified that he was not qualified to assess what constitutes cultural property and admitted that the company had no Indigenous specialists on staff.

Kovacs mentioned that he often lacked access to the tribal perspective when conducting assessments of archaeological sites. He emphasized that his evaluations were based solely on the archaeology itself and not on any potential cultural significance beyond that.

Despite Kovacs’ testimony, Energy Transfer’s lawyers presented evidence suggesting that Greenpeace International had defamed the corporation. In November 2016, BankTrack, an organization, urged banks to divest from the Dakota Access pipeline, alleging that Energy Transfer personnel had intentionally desecrated documented burial grounds and other cultural sites. This call to action was supported by 500 organizations, including Greenpeace International.

During the trial, Greenpeace International’s executive director, Mads Christensen, affirmed their belief in the claims made against Energy Transfer. Christensen stated that they had received information from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies regarding the desecration of sacred sites. He argued that if Energy Transfer was aware of these concerns and proceeded with their actions, it must have been deliberate.

In a separate testimony, Kelcy Warren, Energy Transfer’s board chair and former CEO, recounted a meeting with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault in 2016. Warren had offered financial compensation to the tribe in exchange for allowing the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. However, Archambault declined the offer, stating that he could not back down from the ongoing protests.

Warren expressed his frustration with the situation, accusing Earthjustice, the legal organization representing the tribe, of interfering with negotiations. Despite these claims, Archambault clarified that his primary concern during the meeting was to discuss safety measures rather than negotiate an end to the protests.

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In conclusion, the trial highlighted the complex interactions between Energy Transfer, Greenpeace International, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. The differing perspectives and motivations of the involved parties underscored the challenges of balancing economic interests, environmental concerns, and Indigenous rights in such contentious projects. The battle against the pipeline at Standing Rock had evolved into a much larger fight for Indigenous rights and justice. The courtroom drama unfolded as Warren, a Greenpeace representative, testified that negotiations with the Standing Rock Sioux were the focus, not Greenpeace. However, Energy Transfer demanded over $800 million in damages from Greenpeace organizations, citing conspiracy, tortious interference, and defamation.

After the jury’s verdict holding Greenpeace liable for damages, Cox, Energy Transfer’s lawyer, celebrated the win as a victory against unlawful protests. Greenpeace employees and water protectors were left stunned by the outcome. Despite the verdict, Greenpeace plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and collective action.

The spokesperson for Energy Transfer praised the verdict as a win for North Dakotans who faced disruption during the protests, highlighting the distinction between free speech and illegal activities. Greenpeace’s senior legal advisor, Deepa Padmanabha, expressed concern over the attempt to dismantle the idea of solidarity through exorbitant lawsuits.

As Greenpeace prepares for an appeal, the question remains whether their mission is solely about survival as an organization or stands for something greater. The image of an upside-down American flag above Oceti Sakowin Camp serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and environmental justice.

In conclusion, the fight against the pipeline transcends legal battles and monetary damages, symbolizing a larger movement for justice and solidarity. The Center for Media and Democracy’s support in document review underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the pursuit of truth. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations being made every day. One such advancement that has taken the tech industry by storm is artificial intelligence (AI). AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It is revolutionizing the way we live and work, and has the potential to completely transform the world as we know it.

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