Greenpeace ordered to pay $300 million in damages

Greenpeace faces a major financial crisis after being ordered to pay nearly $300 million to Energy Transfer, a Texas-based oil company. The environmental group warns this amount could lead to its bankruptcy, putting an end to over five decades of activism. The lawsuit accused Greenpeace of running an "unlawful and violent scheme" that harmed Energy Transfer financially. The company claimed defamation, trespass, nuisance, and civil conspiracy due to Greenpeace's involvement in protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly a decade ago. A North Dakota jury has found Greenpeace liable for defamation. After about two days of deliberation, the jury delivered its verdict at the Morton County courthouse in Mandan, North Dakota, which is roughly 100 miles from the protest site. The protests began in April 2016 and gained significant attention, especially during President Donald Trump's first term. Thousands of people protested, including over 200 Native American tribes, military veterans, and various public figures. Energy Transfer’s chairman, Kelcy Warren, testified that the protesters created a “total false narrative” about his company. He expressed that it was necessary to take legal action. On the other hand, Greenpeace argued it merely supported nonviolent training for protesters and was not the leader of the demonstrations. The lawsuit targeted multiple parties associated with Greenpeace, including its U.S. branch, its funding arm in Washington DC, and its main international organization based in Amsterdam.