14 DAY TRIAL // Ever since Shell decided to commence drilling operations in the Arctic, environmental organization Greenpeace got busy setting up countless protests in an attempt to “Save the Arctic” from this particular oil and gas company.
Apparently, Shell has finally decided that the time has come to take legal measures against these greenheads, and asked a judge to forbid them from ever coming closer than 500 meters to any of its operating facilities, be it a gas station or administrative headquarters.
As the official website for Greenpeace informs us, the oil and gas company decided to settle this matter in court after, this past Friday, several activists took over one gas station in the Netherlands, preventing both employees and customers to reach the petrol pumps.
Although this course of actions might be considered as somewhat inappropriate by various people, Greenpeace members claim that the takeover was a peaceful one, and that no acts of violence were committed.
Moreover, they argue that, given the fact that recent studies have shown that the Arctic sea ice just reached its lowest extent in recorded history, those who care about the wellbeing of the planet have the right to speak their minds and even point a finger at the culprits.
Therefore, Shell's demand goes against freedom of expression, and the oil and gas company must not be allowed to have its way in shutting them up.
Apparently, should the judge agree to support Shell's claim, Greenpeace will no longer be allowed to organize protests closer than 500 meters to facilities belonging to this company, and takeovers such as the one that took place this past Friday are out of the question.
Should Greenpeace fail to abide by these new rules, they are to pay a penalty of $1 million dollars (€770,137) for each violation.
Naturally, the organization will now present its own case in front of a judge, so more information on this topic is expected to soon be made available to the general public.