Big Oil is Trying to Shut Down Free Speech! Sign today to Stop It!
- by: Greenpeace USA
For decades, we've been a massive thorn in the side of Big Oil. They want revenge. They'd love to shut us down. That's why they're trying to take us down in court, right now.
Energy Transfer is the mega-corporation behind the infamous Dakota Access Pipeline. You probably remember that in 2016, Indigenous activists led one of the most powerful protests in modern history at Standing Rock. The movement was so successful that the government initially vacated its approval of the pipeline. But when Donald Trump took power, he reversed course.
In 2017, after the pipeline was completed, Energy Transfer launched a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) against the two Greenpeace entities in the US – Greenpeace Inc and Fund – as well as Greenpeace International.
They falsely claim we were the ones who organized the resistance at Standing Rock. It's a racist attempt to erase Indigenous leadership from this historic protest. And they want a lot of money in return for their so-called "losses."
The chilling impact this could have on our First Amendment rights in this country could be profound. The outcome of this case has implications for labor unions, grassroots activists, journalists, and other organizations who have been hit with similar lawsuits designed to intimidate them just for using their voices.
Our lawyers have been fighting this lawsuit tirelessly for years not just for Greenpeace, but for everyone who takes action to protect our planet and our communities. But with this case heading to trial soon in February, we also need you. We need millions of people to speak out against this case and show Energy Transfer they must end this abusive lawsuit. If enough of us lift our voices right now, they will hear us.
It all starts with our open letter. All signatures will be delivered to Energy Transfer, calling on them to drop the lawsuit. These lawsuits are meant to silence and weaken us so we need you to show Energy Transfer that we're actually growing louder and stronger! Sign today!
We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, formally express our solidarity with Greenpeace against Energy Transfer's meritless $300 million lawsuit.
Peaceful protest and free speech are fundamental human rights that underpin social progress. The Energy Transfer $300 million lawsuit against Greenpeace is an abuse of the legal system and a blatant attempt to silence legitimate work to protect people and our planet.
This lawsuit makes allegations that affect people far beyond Greenpeace. It attempts to rewrite the history of the Indigenous-led opposition movement at Standing Rock – by absurdly alleging that Greenpeace orchestrated the entire resistance. It seeks to hold the Greenpeace organizations in the US and Greenpeace International accountable for actions taken by unaffiliated and unknown individuals. This could have a chilling effect on anyone engaged in peaceful protest and assembly. It also attempts to sue over justified and protected speech, claiming it is "defamation." This is corporate overreach that is part of a disturbing trend of attacks on advocacy and speech around the world.
We will not allow lawsuits like this one to stop us from advocating for a just, green and peaceful future. On the contrary, we will ensure they have the opposite effect, increasing the support for organizations like Greenpeace and strengthening the broader movement for justice.
This legal attack on Greenpeace is an attack on us all. We will not stand idly by. We will not be bullied. We will not be divided and we will not be silenced.
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
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