Fact: Neither Energy Transfer nor Dakota Access used extreme violence against protestors.

Greenpeace repeatedly published false statements that Energy Transfer and Dakota Access used “extreme violence” against “peaceful protestors.” The state of North Dakota publicly concluded that law enforcement on site used appropriate force to ensure law enforcement stayed safe.

Additionally, the state of North Dakota concluded that the real violence was perpetrated by protestors, who used improvised explosive devices to attack police. For example, law enforcement reported to an incident on November 21, 2016, in which protestors made a calculated effort to cause harm. ”

Per the state of North Dakota: “‘The subjects were given opportunities to retreat back, but it became obvious that they were tampering with the vehicle or planting a device,’ said Highway Patrol Lieutenant Tom Iverson. ‘Their strange mannerisms led law enforcement to believe they were there for a purpose with a calculated effort to either cause harm or breach the line.’

After the cylinders were rolled near the burned vehicle, an explosion, witnessed by law enforcement, occurred and several protestors ran to the area, pulled a female from under the burned vehicle, and fled the scene.”

The protests caused an estimated $38 million in damages against property and law enforcement, which fell to the state of North Dakota and its taxpayers.