Shell Wants To Stop Public Protests

Shell Oil Corporation is taking the dangerous first step of trying to ban public protests. After a series of protests hindered Shell's efforts to open up drilling in the Arctic, the corporation filed suit against the environmental group Greenpeace to criminalize any protests within 500 meters of Shell property. Shell is also asking for a $1.3 million fine against Greenpeace activists. Last week, protestors used bicycle locks to shut down oil pumps belonging to Shell in the Netherlands. Greenpeace reacted to the lawsuit, calling it "a legal sledgehammer to stifle public discourse."