US Court Approves Massive Fine Against Greenpeace for Pipeline Protests

Federal judge Daniel Traynor from North Dakota has finalized a process that could lead to the dismantling of Greenpeace's structures in the USA. The judgment awarding $345 million in damages to the corporation Energy Transfer marks the culmination of a years-long legal battle. The case originated in the tumultuous protests surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline, when activists attempted to block the investment in the Standing Rock reservation. The lawsuit classified Greenpeace's actions not as peaceful protest, but as an organized campaign of disinformation and conspiracy aimed at destroying the company's reputation. The court sided with this argument, ruling that the organization overstepped the boundaries of free speech. The construction of pipelines on Native American lands has sparked tensions for decades, harkening back to historical disputes over land and tribal sovereignty in the United States. Greenpeace representatives described the judgment as "devastating" and a threat to the entire non-governmental organization sector. Activists point out that this is a textbook example of a SLAPP strategy, intended to discourage citizens from holding corporations accountable. The $345 million amount, far exceeding the annual budget of Greenpeace's US branch, makes repayment impossible without declaring bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Energy Transfer emphasizes that the judgment merely reflects the scale of losses incurred due to the alleged manipulations by activists. Judge Traynor's decision opens the path to debt enforcement, which can be seen as an attempt to forcibly silence the environmental movement. 345 mln $ — is the record-breaking damages burdening Greenpeace's budget Financial Status vs Judgment: Greenpeace USA Annual Budget: approx. $30-40 million → insolvency; Awarded Damages: none → $345 million Legal analysts predict this case will have far-reaching consequences for freedom of assembly and advocacy activities in the USA. The organization has already announced further legal battles in higher courts, but the current ruling is immediately enforceable. Greenpeace must now face the specter of having its assets taken over by the pipeline operator, which would be an unprecedented event in the history of modern social activism. Experts warn of a "chilling effect" that could deter smaller groups from undertaking any protest actions aimed at big capital.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media warn of a threat to democracy and the abuse of law by corporations to destroy social organizations. Conservative media emphasize the triumph of the rule of law and the necessity of taking responsibility for lies and business losses.