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Geoffrey Deihl's avatar

SLAPP lawsuits are another tool in the corporate toolbox to effectively suppress the average citizen's free speech. The Native Americans at Thacker Pass are not average citizens. They are the victims of genocide and destruction of their culture, among the poorest people in the nation. This mine is yet another crime against humanity, a predictor for all environmental fights for a planet that can continue to support human life.

In a typical SLAPP, the plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit. The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs, or simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism. In some cases, repeated frivolous litigation against a defendant may raise the cost of directors and officers liability insurance for that party, interfering with an organization's ability to operate.[4] A SLAPP may also intimidate others from participating in the debate. A SLAPP is often preceded by a legal threat. SLAPPs bring about freedom of speech concerns due to their chilling effect and are often difficult to filter out and penalize because the plaintiffs attempt to obfuscate their intent to censor, intimidate, or silence their critics.

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Forest Mountain Lion's avatar

So heartbreaking, thank you so much for your work.

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