Trial monitors to assess fairness in Dakota Access Pipeline lawsuit

A team of attorneys, activists, and academics will monitor the upcoming trial between Energy Transfer and Greenpeace to evaluate whether proceedings meet human rights standards. Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, accuses Greenpeace of defamation and inciting criminal behavior during the 2016-2017 protests. Greenpeace argues the lawsuit is an attempt to silence advocacy. Concerns over jury bias, transparency, and public access have been raised ahead of the Feb. 24 trial in Mandan, North Dakota.