In 2017, the partial owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline, Energy Transfer Equity, filed a bizarre and far-fetched lawsuit naming various environmental organizations and "Earth First!" as defendants. In 2018, Energy Transfer amended the complaint to add as defendants individual environmental activists, including Krystal Two Bulls, an Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne organizer, claimed by Energy Transfer to have been a media coordinator for the Red Warrior Camp at Standing Rock.
The allegations against Ms. Two Bulls involve advocacy clearly protected by the First Amendment, yet Energy transfer has sued her under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or "RICO," a federal law that allows for criminal penalties or a civil cause of action against ongoing criminal enterprises. It is the second RICO case filed by Trump's lawyers against environmental groups and activists in a concerted effort to silence environmental activism and divert resources from the essential work of fighting to save our planet.
Along with Ms. Two Bulls, CCR also represents the Earth First! Journal, who is not named in the complaint, but became involved after Energy Transfer mailed the complaint to the address of the Earth First! Journal. Earth First! is not an organization at all, but rather a philosophy based on biocentrism, direct action, and not compromising with Earth-destroying corporations when fighting for the environment. Energy Transfer initially claimed that Earth First! funded a violent terrorist presence at the Standing Rock protests with $500,000 and proceeds from drug sales on the site, and is part of a sprawling conspiracy with Greenpeace, Two Bulls, and others to deceive the public about the environmental risks of pipelines.
Judge Wilson issues order saying CCR's points in its April 2d submission are "well taken," and that Energy Transfer must serve Earth First! if it is to proceed against Earth First!
4/3/2018
Judge Wilson issues order saying CCR's points in its April 2d submission are "well taken," and that Energy Transfer must serve Earth First! if it is to proceed against Earth First!
Judge Wilson issues order saying CCR's points in its April 2d submission are "well taken," and that Energy Transfer must serve Earth First! (which, of course, is impossible since it is a philosophical movement, not an organization or sueable association of any sort) if it is to proceed against Earth First! Since the Judge's prior order of 3/22/18 had denied Energy Transfer's motion to confirm service on Earth First!, this means Earth First! has not been served and therefore cannot be held liable as a defendant.
CCR files response to judge's Order of 3/22/18, seeking more information about past cases purportedly filed by Earth First!
4/2/2018
CCR files response to judge's Order of 3/22/18, seeking more information about past cases purportedly filed by Earth First!
CCR files response to Judge Wilson's order on behalf of Earth First! Journal, noting that there were many other plaintiffs in the three past cases where Earth First! was claimed to be a plaintiff, and no one would have had any reason to challenge if Earth First! was capable of suing.
Case is reassigned to Senior Judge Billy Roy Wilson, who immediately issues order denying Energy Transfer's motion for declaration of effective service on Earth First! but also denies sanctions motion, and demands CCR produce information regarding Earth First!.
3/22/2018
Case is reassigned to Senior Judge Billy Roy Wilson, who immediately issues order denying Energy Transfer's motion for declaration of effective service on Earth First! but also denies sanctions motion, and demands CCR produce information regarding Earth First!.
Case is reassigned from Chief Judge Hovland to Senior Judge Billy Roy Wilson, without explanation. Judge Wilson, known for being colorfully plain-spoken, immediately issues brief order denying Energy Transfer's motion for declaration of effective service on Earth First! but also denies sanctions motion, and demands CCR produce information regarding Earth First!, noting that he has discovered three cases where Earth First! was claimed to be a plaintiff, and reasoning that "if Earth First! can sue, it seems to me that it is subject to being sued."
Earth First! Journal files opposition to motion to strike and reply in support of sanctions motion
2/28/2018
Earth First! Journal files opposition to motion to strike and reply in support of sanctions motion
Earth First! Journal files opposition to motion to strike and reply in support of sanctions motion, noting cases where third parties have sought sanctions
Energy Transfer files motion to strike Earth First! Journal's sanctions motion
2/21/2018
Energy Transfer files motion to strike Earth First! Journal's sanctions motion
Energy Transfer files motion to strike sanctions motion, claiming Earth First! Journal lacks standing to seek sanctions because it is not a plaintiff or defendant in the case
