This piece was originally published by ExxonKnews, a reporting project of the Center for Climate Integrity covering the fossil fuel industry and climate accountability.
Big Oil is reportedly lobbying Congress to grant their industry legal protection against a growing number of lawsuits that, if successful, could make oil and gas companies pay billions of dollars for deceiving the public about the dangers of fossil fuels. In the most extreme scenario, Big Oil could follow the example of an industry that won a near-blanket immunity from Congress two decades ago — gun manufacturers.
It is BEYOND SHAMEFUL that a couple whose daughter was murdered because of a company advertising gun paraphernalia and not doing background checks should LOSE THEIR HOME to pay court fees.
Here is where some major changes could be effected in order to allow citizens to defend their rights while not risking everything to do so. This was NOT a frivolous lawsuit: fees should have been waived, or paid by citizens’ rights law group.
Where to start??