Defending democracy

A healthy democracy is a pre-condition to a healthy environment

We cannot protect our health and environment without a well-functioning democracy that works for all, especially BIPOC communities who have historically borne the heaviest burden of pollution and voter suppression. Our democracy should represent the interests of the people — interests like a safe climate and a healthy environment. Over the past nine years, Greenpeace USA has worked to defend democracy across a variety of issues. We are currently committed to defending democracy from three perspectives: The Right to Vote, The Right to Protest, and Ending Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (Anti-SLAPP). 

47

anti-protest bills enacted in 21 states since Standing Rock

150

people and organizations targeted by the fossil fuel industry with SLAPPs and similar judicial abuses in the past decade

9

of the top ten lobbying for fossil fuel anti-protest bills since 2017 are oil and gas companies

Our democracy is in peril

A handful of extremist politicians and corporations are putting up barriers to silence our voices based on what we look like or where we live. Following a record-setting 2020 election with an unprecedented number of votes cast, we have seen efforts to overturn a free and fair election, violent attacks on the peaceful transition of power, and a coordinated surge in racist voter suppression. This faction of extremist politicians who want nothing more than to return to the Jim Crow era will stop at nothing to gain power.


Corporate attacks on all forms of dissent are coming from many directions. Corporations and special interests are undermining our democracy by funding extremist lawmakers and sponsoring racist voter suppression and anti-protest bills. This has serious implications for our advocacy for a just and sustainable planet. Despite a supermajority of Americans supporting climate action, our democracy allows the fossil fuel industry, at the behest of corporate interests, to actively obstruct climate solutions. 

Early Voting Center in the District of Columbia. © Tim Aubry / Greenpeace
Democracy Awakening Rally in Washington D.C. © Greenpeace

Meanwhile, efforts to protest these issues are met with anti-protest bills and vindictive corporate Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Since 2016, broad fossil fuel anti-protest laws have been enacted in 18 states, shielding roughly 60% of domestic oil & gas production and associated infrastructure from peaceful protest that could hinder the industry’s continued growth. Big Oil and its supporters continue to use SLAPPs against individuals and organizations in a concerted effort to shrink civic space and raise the cost of protesting, making it increasingly risky for activists and BIPOC communities to oppose pipelines and other projects that threaten their communities.

We urgently need a people-powered democracy

Defending freedom of speech, protest, dissent, and restoring and improving voting rights, are the first steps along that path. Unless the people have a meaningful check on power, all our other freedoms continue to be put at risk. By unleashing the power of our volunteers and supporters to push corporations, make our voices heard on Capitol Hill, take to the streets in defense of communities, and participate in creative protest, we can build a better future together.

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No More Excuses Protest in Washington D.C. © Tim Aubry / Greenpeace
Activist protest in front of the White House during The No More Excuses: Voting Rights Now! Action. An intergenerational protest in front of the White House to pressure President Biden to fix or nix the filibuster to support voting rights! The reforms in the Freedom to Vote Act will get big money out of politics, restore voting rights, offer new protections for voters, end gerrymandering so that electoral districts are fairly drawn, and hold government officials accountable with new ethics standards. This will help return power to the people, and ensure that we have a healthy democracy so that we can have a healthy planet we can all thrive on.
© Tim Aubry / Greenpeace
The freedom to vote
Rally against SLAPP and Corporate Bullies in New York. © Michael Nagle / Greenpeace
Individual activists and advocacy groups threatened by SLAPPs (strategic lawsuit against public participation), rally against corporate bullies like the Kasowitz Benson Torres law firm and stand up for our First Amendment rights. This New York-based firm has been hired by logging giants and oil pipeline companies to sue advocacy organizations like Greenpeace — as well as dozens of individual climate activists. © Michael Nagle / Greenpeace
The right to dissent
People's Climate March in Washington D.C. © Amanda J. Mason / Greenpeace
On the 100th Day of the Trump Administration, we are in the streets of Washington D.C. to show the world and our leaders that we will resist attacks on our people, our communities and our planet. We come together from across the United States to strengthen our movement and demonstrate our power and resistance at the gates of the White House. We bring our solutions to the climate crisis, the problems that affect our communities and the threats to peace to our leaders in Congress to demand action.
© Amanda J. Mason / Greenpeace
The right to protest

Greenpeace USA is committed to engaging legislators to advocate for the passage of anti-SLAPP, right-to-vote, and right-to-protest legislation. We are working alongside a coalition of like-minded groups to defend democracy. Supporters like you can contribute by signing letters, contacting legislators, and actively supporting on-the-ground efforts of groups engaged in this work.