Greenpeace ordered to pay $ 660 million for protests in Dakota

Jury on Wednesday ordered groups by an environmental company Greenpeace pay more than $ 660 million In a loss in Texas based on the oil company, the Dakota Access pipeline developer.

A jury of nine people in Mandana, Northern Dakota, came out of the sentence in about two days of reflection. The result found that Greenpeace is the answer Almost ten years ago.

It means an unusual legal blow by the Greenpeace that used to be prevent What it can be for bankruptcy from the case. The environment security group said it intends to appeal the verdict.

“This case should alert everyone, regardless of their political inclinations,” “Greenpece US US, Sushma Executive Director Roman – Note In a statement published on Wednesday.

“This is part of the new jolt corporations to arm our courts to silence dissent. We all need to be concerned about the future amendment, and such lawsuits as this, aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and freedom of speech,” Roman said.

Greenpeace described the energy transfer case as a clear example of a weakness cites Before the trial aimed at the funeral of the activists in legal meetings and ultimately silence dissent. Slapp is an acronym for a “strategic lawsuit against the public.”

The energy transfer stated that the jury’s verdict was a “victory” for “Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and the violation of the law”, in accordance with Associated PressReferring to the company’s statement.

“While we are glad that Greenpeace is responsible for our actions against us, this victory is really designed for Mandan residents and all over the Northern Dakota, who had to survive the daily persecution and breakdowns caused by protesters who financed and trained Greenpeace,” the company added.

Press Socialist Energy was not immediately available for comment when he contacted CNBC on Thursday morning.