Environmental Activism SLAPPs — SLAPP-Blog — Public Participation Project

Congressional hearing analyzes how fossil fuel companies weaponize lawsuits against free speech

At a hearing held by Rep. Jamie Raskin, members of the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties discussed whether fossil fuel companies use SLAPPs to intimidate free speech. Raskin noted that through these suits, individuals and civic groups who speak on climate-related issues can face expensive and protracted litigation levelled by the corporations. Read more about the discussion, which touched on global and domestic activism and the need for a federal anti-SLAPP law, in the House press release.

John Oliver piece on SLAPPs and importance of anti-SLAPP legislation

Last night, John Oliver devoted 26 minutes of his show to explain the importance of anti-SLAPP legislation and PPP’s efforts to fight SLAPPs across the country.

Judge Tosses Dakota Access RICO Claims Against Nonprofit

A federal judge dismissed criminal racketeering claims against a nonprofit that wrote letters to banks asking them not to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Popehat: Important Victory Against An Oil Company's Censorious SLAPP Suit In Colorado

An oil company sued a citizen activist for talking on a Facebook post about their settlement of an antitrust case. After prolonged and expensive procedural maneuvering, a Colorado state judge issued an order granting summary judgment to the activist.

Environmental Activist Sued for Libel Over Facebook Comment About Oil and Gas Company

A Texas-based oil and gas company sued an environmental activist for libel after the activist posted a Facebook comment on a newspaper article about the company.

State Anti-SLAPPEvan MascagniJanuary 20, 2018Colorado, Defamation, Environmental Activism SLAPPs

Techdirt: Trump's Favorite Law Firm Loses Massive RICO SLAPP Suit Against Greenpeace, But Has Another One Already Going

Mike Masnick with Techdirt explains the recent decision to throw out the Greenpeace RICO case on anti-SLAPP grounds in California. Read more here.

Dakota Access developer sues 'rogue eco-terrorist groups'

A developer filed a lawsuit against the environmental groups Greenpeace International, BankTrack, Earth First! and others, alleging the groups “conspired to inflict damage on the pipeline developer and advance their own agendas.” A lawyer for Greenpeace called the lawsuit a “SLAPP” and a form of bullying.

SLAPPs in the NewsEvan MascagniAugust 22, 2017North Dakota, Environmental Activism SLAPPs

A Woman Complained to Government Officials About a Landfill. The Landfill’s Attorney Told Her, “This Has to Stop.”

The owner of a landfill in North Carolina wanted a local woman to stop complaining to county officials about his long-controversial dump. His lawyer, from one of North Carolina's most influential law firms, sent her a letter that insisted, "This has to stop"—or else.

Green Groups: Suits to Silence Them on the Rise

A new article from Peter Hayes at Bloomberg's Toxic Laws Reporter examines the rise of SLAPPs against environmental organizations and activists.

Lawsuit against Martin County ramping up

A developer brought suit against a Florida county and residents in connection with a project.

State Anti-SLAPPEvan MascagniFebruary 5, 2016Florida, Environmental Activism SLAPPs, State Anti-SLAPP

Nebraska Farmers SLAPPed for Public Comments on the Environment

In 2000, hog producer Furnas County Farms in Nebraska sued two local farmers for defamation arising from written comments the farmers had filed about Furnas’ environmental record with state regulators. The farmers countersued under the Nebraska anti-SLAPP law, and in 2005, a jury rejected Furnas’ defamation claims and ordered it to pay $900,000 in damages plus legal fees.

SLAPP StoriesEvan MascagniJanuary 1, 2009Nebraska, Environmental Activism SLAPPs

Environmental Group Sued by Oil Refinery

In 1999, the oil refinery Tosco sued Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), claiming that CBE had libeled and slandered Tosco in the course of Clean Air Act lawsuits CBE had brought against Tosco.

SLAPP StoriesEvan MascagniJanuary 1, 2009Environmental Activism SLAPPs, California

Coal Industry SLAPP Against Environmental Advocates Dismissed

In 2001, a group of environmental advocates took out an ad in the New York Times entitled “Global Warming-How Will It End?” The ad highlighted the causes, potential impacts and possible solutions to global warming and mentioned coal as a cause of climate change.

SLAPP StoriesEvan MascagniJanuary 1, 2009Environmental Activism SLAPPs, Wyoming

Ecology Center's lindane suit settled

The Ecology Center settled a lawsuit filed by a pharmaceutical company that sought more than $9 million from the Ann Arbor-based nonprofit because of its participation in an aggressive campaign to restrict use of a chemical believed to be harmful to people and the environment.

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