Dallas, TX
Dallas-based Energy Transfer’s $300 million trial against Greenpeace begins today
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.”
In need of help on the edge, the Dallas Cowboys tried to make a huge move this offseason. They made multiple attempts to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, but were never able to get a deal done.
Once that one was off the table, they decided to send a fourth round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for veteran Rashan Gary. The move was criticized, which is rather confusing when you think about it. Dallas gave up a mid-round pick, and reworked his contract to where it hardly makes any impact on a salary cap. They also filled a position of a great need with a player who might not threaten to lead the league in sacks, but is well-rounded and can help against the run just as much as he does when rushing the passer.
Gary is entering his eighth season in the league and has 271 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s coming off another solid campaign, which is why he’s No. 9 on our list of top 10 players on the Cowboys’ roster.
Rashan Gary 2025 review
Gary’s numbers in 2025 were respectable, but could be misleading. He was on pace to record 18 sacks, as he had 7.5 through the first seven games of the year. He then disappeared for the final nine games, recording no sacks while struggling to generate pressure.
That led to his season as a whole being considered rather disappointing, which is why the Packers were willing to move on. It’s also why Dallas was able to convince him to take a pay cut after he joined their team. What was most frustrating for Green Bay was the fact that they needed him to step up when Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL late in the year and Gary was unable to do so.
Rashan Gary 2026 prediction
One thing critics of the move are failing to see is the fact that Dallas doesn’t need Gary to record double-digit sacks. They need him to be the veteran voice for a group of young pass rushers who are trying to find their footing in the league.
Second year player, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and rookie Malachi Lawrence both have the talent to be game-changers off of the edge. What they don’t have, is the experience. That’s where Gary comes in.
As those two continue to develop, Gary will be the stabilizing veteran force who can make plays on early downs, while also being disruptive as a pass rusher. We can’t ignore the struggles that he had in 2025, but perhaps the change of scenery will give him some motivation to turn back the clock. And Dallas didn’t have to give up much to give him that opportunity.
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DALLAS – Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced that he is running for Mayor of Dallas on Monday.
Hinojosa says the city needs experienced leadership to address the budget challenges and pro sports teams leaving Downtown Dallas.
Addressing Dallas’ budget and pro sports team
Local perspective:
Michael Hinojosa served two stints as superintendent of Dallas ISD, totaling 13 years. He told FOX 4 that he officially filed paperwork to enter the race and plans to formally launch his campaign at a Tuesday morning news conference at Dallas City Hall.
Hinojosa points to financial track record at Dallas ISD
What they’re saying:
Hinojosa cited his tenure leading Dallas ISD as evidence of his financial management experience, saying the district’s reserves grew from about $32 million when he took over in 2005 to nearly $1 billion in obligated and unobligated fund balances by the time he left.
“I think that it’s really important for this community to know that we’re at an inflection point and that the city and the community need a strong, proven leader,” Hinojosa said.
He pointed to the city’s budget shortfall, employee furloughs and concerns over major sports franchises potentially leaving downtown as examples of challenges facing Dallas.
He said solving the city’s challenges would require coalition-building and pledged to focus on issues important to residents, taxpayers and businesses.
“I believe that a vision is a dream with a deadline,” Hinojosa said, adding that if elected he would aim to address the city’s biggest challenges within two terms.
Campaign announcement at Dallas City Hall
What’s next:
Hinojosa said he will outline his priorities during a 10 a.m. campaign announcement on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas City Hall.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by an interview conducted by FOX 4’s Shaun Rabb.
Construction plans disrupt business in East Dallas. Just a few days ago, the owners of Juju’s Coffee off La Vista Drive in Dallas were informed by Oncor that the street on which their shop is located will be closed.
One of the owners, Nick Rocha, said the closure will last six weeks, but if there are any delays, it could be extended until October.
The coffee shop, which opened in 2023, has recently gained a lot of popularity. One of their drinks, called the “do-si-dos,” has gone viral, and now they have lines out the door on a regular basis.
“It’s a peanut butter milk latte… We probably doubled our sales or more if I had to be honest,” said Rocha.
Since the drink’s release in April, the flow of customers has been nonstop.
“We were like, ‘We’ll go viral and then we’ll die out.’ Then we’re like, ‘Well, when is it going to be over, because we’re just getting slammed?’ We were both doing like 60- to 70-hour weeks… And it just kept going, and it turned from like, ‘Okay, we’re scared of it,’ to, ‘Okay, we can do this,’” said Rojas.
Rojas says that just as they were adjusting to the new normal, the notice from Oncor came.
“They were just like, ‘Yeah, so we’re going to close the street, sorry.’ That was tough… because we’re in the middle of dreaming and vision casting for what’s coming and what’s next,” said Rojas.
Starting July 20, La Vista Drive will be closed, sidewalk accessibility will be difficult, and street visibility will be too. Rojas believes the impact could drop their sales by about 50%. He says they’ve had meetings with the city and Oncor, but says there’s nothing they can do, and now their only plea is to their customers.
“Anybody that comes in and supports, it’s a genuine gratitude from us,” said Rojas.
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