#UnicornRiot #DAPL Legal Defense Fund

(Update Nov. 14, 2024) "December 10: #ACLU Will Represent Unicorn Riot at #MinnesotaSupremeCourt Hearing in Latest Filing From Years-long DAPL Protest Suit

"The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Minnesota, together with the law firm Simatic & Biersdorf, PA, filed a brief in the Minnesota Supreme Court on Oct. 21 on behalf of nonprofit media organization Unicorn Riot, which seeks to quash a subpoena from oil company Energy Transfer stemming from the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. The brief asserts that the First Amendment and the Minnesota Free Flow of Information Act (MFFIA) protect Unicorn Riot from Energy Transfer’s attempts to subpoena sensitive communications, recordings, and other unreleased newsgathering materials from DAPL protests.

"Oral arguments are set to be heard in Minnesota’s Supreme Court on Dec. 10, 2024 at 9 a.m. in the Minnesota Judicial Center, Courtroom 300.

"The First Amendment and Minnesota’s shield law protect journalists from attempts to use the courts to compel the disclosure of sensitive newsgathering information. A free press and the free flow of information to the public both depend on journalists’ ability to capture content and tell stories without fear of costly litigation that puts their unpublished materials at risk,” said Matthew Segal, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative.

"Unicorn Riot journalists reported on the ground from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, gathering and publishing first-hand accounts. In 2019, pipeline operator Energy Transfer sued individuals and entities that were allegedly involved with the protests.

"In 2021, as part of the lawsuit, Energy Transfer issued subpoenas to Unicorn Riot and one of its member journalists seeking vast disclosures of unpublished materials. Unicorn Riot refused to surrender its material, and in 2022 – roughly six years after the protests – Energy Transfer moved to compel disclosure in Minnesota. In its motion papers, Energy Transfer alleged that Unicorn Riot had trespassed on its property while covering the protests. The Minnesota Court of Appeals earlier this year held that the Minnesota Free Flow of Information Act prohibits the compelled disclosure of newsgathering materials. Energy Transfer sought review at the Minnesota Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.

"'This case is about more than just our small media organization. It represents the broader fight for the right to gather and disseminate information freely, without corporate interference — an essential cornerstone of press freedom,' said Unicorn Riot."

Read more / donate:
https://donorbox.org/unicorn-riot-nodapl-legal-defense

#MFFIA #NoDAPL #StandWithStandingRock #FirstAmendment #ShieldLaw #WaterIsLife #WaterProtectors #EnergyTransfer #Censorship #Journalism

Brief Urges #Minnesota Supreme Court to Reject Attempt to Compel Disclosure of Reporters’ Communications in Major Case for #PressFreedom

#ACLU Represents Media Organization #UnicornRiot in Latest Filing in Years-Long Legal Battle Stemming from 2016 #DakotaAccessPipeline Protests

Affiliate: ACLU of Minnesota
October 21, 2024

ST. PAUL, Minn. — "The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Minnesota, together with the law firm Simatic & Biersdorf, PA, filed a brief in the Minnesota Supreme Court today on behalf of nonprofit media organization Unicorn Riot, which seeks to quash a subpoena from oil company Energy Transfer stemming from the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline (#DAPL) protests. The brief asserts that the First Amendment and the Minnesota Free Flow of Information Act (#MFFIA) protect Unicorn Riot from #EnergyTransfer’s attempts to subpoena sensitive communications, recordings, and other unreleased news gathering materials from DAPL protests.

“'The First Amendment and Minnesota’s shield law protect journalists from attempts to use the courts to compel the disclosure of sensitive newsgathering information. A free press and the free flow of information to the public both depend on journalists’ ability to capture content and tell stories without fear of costly litigation that puts their unpublished materials at risk,' said Matthew Segal, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative.

"Unicorn Riot journalists reported on the ground from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, gathering and publishing first-hand accounts. In 2019, pipeline operator Energy Transfer sued individuals and entities that were allegedly involved with the protests.

"In 2021, as part of the lawsuit, Energy Transfer issued subpoenas to Unicorn Riot and one of its member journalists seeking vast disclosures of unpublished materials. Unicorn Riot refused to surrender its material, and in 2022 – roughly six years after the protests – Energy Transfer moved to compel disclosure in Minnesota. In its motion papers, Energy Transfer alleged that Unicorn Riot had trespassed on its property while covering the protests. The Minnesota Court of Appeals earlier this year held that the Minnesota Free Flow of Information Act prohibits the compelled disclosure of newsgathering materials. Energy Transfer sought review at the Minnesota Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.

​​“'This case is about more than just our small media organization. It represents the broader fight for the right to gather and disseminate information freely, without corporate interference — an essential cornerstone of press freedom,' said Unicorn Riot."

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/brief-urges-minnesota-supreme-court-to-reject-attempt-to-compel-disclosure-of-reporters-communications-in-major-case-for-press-freedom

#Pressfreedom #StandWithStandingRock #SLAPPs #NoDAPL #CorporateColonialism
#EarthDefenders #CriminalizingDissent #BigOilAndGas