After nearly eight years, Dallas-based pipeline company Energy Transfer LP’s $300 million trial against Greenpeace USA is set to begin Monday in North Dakota.

Energy Transfer is accusing the longtime nonprofit and other activists of defamation and damages over claims related to protests surrounding the construction of the nearly 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016.

Before the trial, Mi Barrio 214, a Pleasant Grove art studio, became the gathering place last week for local and national activists, tribal members, artists and community leaders to create climate justice banners and signs against Energy Transfer.

On Saturday, a peaceful march took place on the Ronald Kirk pedestrian bridge with wings representing hummingbirds and banners that read “We will not be silenced” and “End big oil’s attack on free speech,” with about 35 people.

The protests in 2016 and 2017, which erupted because pipeline construction endangered sacred lands and threatened the area’s water supply, were organized by Standing Rock and other Sioux tribes and supported by more than 300 sovereign tribal nations. They inspired an international solidarity movement after Energy Transfer’s private security unleashed attack dogs and pepper spray on nonviolent protesters.

Joseph White Eyes, who grew up in Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and participated in the 2016 protests, came to Dallas for the march to send a message to Energy Transfer. White Eyes said Greenpeace was not the organizer of the protests; it was an indigenous-led movement.

“To take that narrative away for that Indigenous people that were able to stand up and do this type of resistance like we’ve done, for the past 100 years, is a complete slap in our face,” White Eyes told The Dallas Morning News. “Because then again, it goes to show that people of color are on the sidelines, and it’s these big white organizations that are in charge.”

Energy Transfer, led by North Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren, said Greenpeace and others incited protests, spread misinformation, and vandalized the project, which, according to the lawsuit, cost Energy Transfer millions of dollars in delays.

The company stated via email, “Our lawsuit against Greenpeace is about them not following the law. It is not about free speech as they are trying to claim. We support the rights of all Americans to express their opinions and lawfully protest. However, when it is not done in accordance with our laws, we have a legal system to deal with that. Beyond that, we will let our case speak for itself.”

More than 400 organizations worldwide signed an open letter denouncing the lawsuit as meritless and an attempt to rewrite history by claiming that Greenpeace orchestrated what was an Indigenous-led movement.

Greenpeace has denounced the lawsuit as a “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation” case. SLAPP suits are civil litigation that individuals and entities bring to dissuade their critics from continuing to produce negative publicity. According to Cornell Law School, by definition, SLAPP suits do not have any true legal claims against the critics.

The Obama administration halted construction in 2016, but the project resumed following an executive order in the early days President Donald Trump’s first term. The pipeline was completed soon after and began operating commercially in June 2017.

Warren and his wife are major political donors. Politico’s E&E News reported the pair have donated upward of $30 million since 2010, primarily to Republican candidates. Warren donated about $5 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Rogelio Meixueiro, a North Texas activist and Greenpeace organizer, said Dallas residents need to know the connection between this lawsuit and their city.

“A lot of the big oil industry deals take place in Dallas, and this is where the headquarters of Energy Transfer is, and Warren lives here,” Meixueiro said. “In the community, he is seen as a great philanthropist and someone who supports many causes, but he has also put the land and water of some communities at risk.”

Warren paid $10 million to name the 5.2-acre park Klyde Warren Park in honor of his son, The News reported.

Energy Transfer is represented by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher – the firm that represented Chevron against Steven Donziger, an environmental advocate sued by the firm after helping Amazonian communities in Ecuador win a landmark pollution case. Davis Wright Tremaine, a firm known for representing First Amendment cases, represents Greenpeace.

The five-week jury trial in Mandan, North Dakota, will not be streamed live.

Phoenix Amaterasu was one of the about 30 community members who were at the Mi Barrio 214 studio to connect with others who were there to support the cause.

Amaterasu traveled from Austin and others from D.C., Chicago, California, Seattle and North Dakota.

“They can try to silence people and nature, but we will persevere no matter what,” said Amaterasu, spraying green and blue paint on the cardboard hummingbird wings. “We have to protect our nature. That is our duty. We are done with the big oil industry.”