What happens when a multi-billion dollar company tries to shut down Greenpeace?

In March, a North Dakota jury found Greenpeace entities in the US and Greenpeace International liable for over $660 million USD in damages. They were sued by Energy Transfer, the Texas-based fossil fuel pipeline company which owns the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

The response we’ve since witnessed from supporters around the world has been nothing short of incredible.

“In the face of this outrageous verdict, we’re drawing strength from the global outpouring of solidarity, particularly from our Canadian allies,” states Kristin Casper, Greenpeace International’s General Counsel. 

In its lawsuit, Energy Transfer claimed that Greenpeace orchestrated the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline between 2016-2017, but in reality, this resistance at Standing Rock was Indigenous-led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, water protectors, and their allies.

The protests drew thousands of supporters from around the world. They highlighted concerns about the pipeline’s potential impact on water, Indigenous rights, and tribal sovereignty. And while the protests didn’t prevent the pipeline’s construction, the fight for Standing Rock remains ongoing. 

In retaliation, Energy Transfer is not only attempting to erase the Indigenous leadership of the Standing Rock movement, but they are trying to silence Greenpeace defendants by burying them in legal fees, pushing them towards bankruptcy. This is a threat to free speech and the right to peaceful protest.

Have we been rocked by this case? Of course. 

But will we falter? No chance.

The Greenpeace defendants plan to fight the case. Based on errors at trial, there are numerous, strong grounds for appeal, so the Greenpeace defendants plan to face off Energy Transfer in court again soon. 

 © Greenpeace. Greenpeace Canada activists projected powerful messages on the Niagara Falls, including “Greenpeace vs. Bullies”, “Don’t Trump Canada“, “Time to Resist“, and “Greenpeace vs. Billionaires” in April, 2025. This was in solidarity with Greenpeace USA’s ongoing legal battle with the giant oil company, Energy Transfer.

Greenpeace Canada activists projected powerful messages on the Niagara Falls, one of which stated “Greenpeace vs. Bullies”, in April, 2025. This was in solidarity with Greenpeace USA’s ongoing legal battle with the giant oil company, Energy Transfer.

As I write this, Greenpeace entities in the US and Greenpeace International are preparing legal filings to call for this verdict to be overturned on appeal. 

“The Greenpeace defendants will challenge this injustice before the North Dakota Supreme Court, standing firm and unbowed,” says Casper. “We are driven forward by the unstoppable force of people united for environmental justice.” 

Greenpeace International has already filed a counter-lawsuit in a Dutch court to recover all damages and costs suffered as a result of Energy Transfer’s baseless legal attacks. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2, 2025.

This case will likely go on for years, but the global Greenpeace network is built to withstand this pressure, and with the support of hundreds of thousands of equally determined people around the world, we’re not going to let bullies like Energy Transfer silence us.

Over 1,000 Greenpeace supporters across Canada donated in response to the jury verdict and tens of thousands more around the world have given millions of dollars to support Greenpeace’s cause. The story has received over two thousand pieces of media coverage in more than 20 languages. We’ve also seen a massive outpouring of support from Greenpeace allies around the world — and it won’t stop here.

But we will continue pushing back for as long as it takes. Because we won’t be silenced as the planet is destroyed, Indigenous rights and sovereignty are steamrolled, and the right to protest is threatened. 

To learn more about the next steps in this case, check out the full interview with Kristin Casper here.