Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental and civil liberties groups are launching a new campaign called “Protect the Protest,” to fight back against lawsuits aimed at limiting free speech. Corporations often used so-called SLAPP suits, or strategic lawsuits against public participation, to try to silence activists. Rallies launching the campaign are planned for today and tomorrow in New York City, San Francisco and Dallas. The company that built the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, is based in Dallas. Energy Transfer Partners has sued Greenpeace, Earth First and BankTrack for up to $1 billion for undermining the project.