"BISMARCK, N.D. — Twenty environmental and civil liberties groups are fighting back against lawsuits they believe are aimed at limiting free speech and silencing critics.

The “Protect the Protest” task force announced Tuesday targets what are known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP, which use legal action and the threat of financial risk to deter people and groups from speaking out against something they oppose.

“We know from our own experience that this legal bullying tactic will work if it’s not shut down,” said Katie Redford, co-founder and director of EarthRights International.

The effort is to include billboard advertisements, training sessions for journalists and nonprofits, panel discussions and rallies outside the corporate offices of companies the groups believe use such lawsuits."

Blake Nicholson reports for the Associated Press August 29, 2018. [2]