NextEra sues activist for use of “offending logo” and video
Esther Wrightman, (right) seen here protesting during the recent visit of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to Sarnia, is being sued by NextEra Energy for altering its logo in the her fight against the company’s projects in Lambton and Middlesex Counties.
NextEra Energy has made good on its threat to sue a local anti-wind activist.
The company, which has several wind energy projects slated for Lambton and Middlesex Counties, is suing to stop the use of “offending logos.”
The company has filed a lawsuit in Toronto saying Esther Wrightman’s use of NextError and Next Terror on her websites Ontario Wind Resistance and the Middlesex Lambton Wind Concerns. Court documents say the use of the logos “is false” and is “likely to mislead the public as to the character” of NextEra.
The company takes issue with being linked to terror. “NextEra is operating in full compliance with the law…the defendant is aware or is reclessly indifferent to the fact that the term ‘terror’ and ‘terrorist’ is reserved or organizations with extreme and violent criminal aims,” the lawsuit says adding the terms are usually linked to organizations such as Al-Qaida and Hezbollah. “NextEra is a law-abiding organization that has consulted extensively in the defendant’s community. It has committed no acts of terror or violence.”
NextEra wants Wrightman to remove all references to NextError and Next Terror and a video showing the company cutting down an eagle’s next in Haldimand County. It’s also seeking damages saying Wrightman may have gained financially through donations to the website for various wind groups.
Wrightman, who is representing herself, says the fake logos are parody. “Things like Next Error, that’s fair comment,” she says. “That’s a name that has developed because of what has happened in our community,” Wrightman adds noting several times NextEra has tried to hold public meetings only to find they didn’t book the meeting hall they had advertised. “It connects completely with what has happened out here…its not frivolous, its true; to me it is fair comment.”
Wrightman believes the lawsuit is an effort to stop her from speaking out. “I’m sure they would like to see the Ontario Wind Resistance site down, I know they want the eagle videos down..I’m sure they would like to see me slow down and be more cautious in what I do…that I won’t feel comfortable using my freedom of speech.”
In the end, Wrightman believes that’s worth fighting for. “What are they going to take from me? They can take money or status. I don’t have money, I don’t have status. There is nothing left; I might as well fight it.
“I know a lot of people would not fight them because they are going after what I have; the only thing I have is my family and our health and they (NextEra) are going after it – and our community – and that’s something money can’t buy.”
Wrightman also disputes the suggestion she made a profit from using the logo. She says the only time she has raised money was during her appeal of an unrelated project near Watford and that appeal was dropped long before the logos in question were used. “Profit? What profit?…There is not a single thing to profit from fighting wind turbines. If it wasn’t so serious it would be really quite laughable. They’d really only have to drive up to my house to see I’m not making any profit.”
A court date for the suit has yet to be set.
– Heather Wright
This is a “SLAPP” or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation against Esther. NextEra hopes to shut her up with a very expensive lawsuit…and have that be a warning to others. It’s an old trick. There are thousands of folks out there on her side. We all need to support her in any way we can…and vilify NextEra in the public mindset. They deserve that.
Next Error true to their earned nick names. You have grabbed a tiger’s tail enjoy the ride.
Former Nexterror CEO Lawrence Hay III was appointed by Obama to be the Sec’t of the Treasury. Nexterror paid no taxes on $7 billion dollar profit.
Esther you are an inspiration to many. Fight the bastards all the way.
Reblogged this on Purslane.
This is terrible but true. Nobody has a history of killing eagles like the wind energy company NextEra. So if you were an eagle it would make perfect sense that their turbines would be terrifying. If you were an eagle minding your own business and had your wing severed from a slashing blade, knowing you were going to die, this would certainly seem like an act of terror. Thousands of eagles have died this way. If you had just fledged your offspring and while they were learning to hunt, had them butchered by nearby turbines, this would also seem to be terrifying. . The charity that NexEra wants to donate any settlement funds to should come out and say they want no part in any of this. I think a better idea would be for NextEra to donate any settlement funds to a truly independent Wildlife Biologist, for proper wind turbine mortality and cumulative impact studies.
terror and great dread is what I feel as I look out and see 300+ 40story tall structures where prior to this rip off of tax dollars no structure was taller than a transmission line tower, and we had silence now we have train locomotive like noise from atop 40 story tall structures killing our birds disturbing our sleep… if that’s not terrorism what is it…. speak out and loose everything, a billion dollar cooperation picking on a housewife, you kidding me they wrote the book on terror!
The Ontario Government along with Nextera are guilty in creating a climate of terror in Rural Ontario where people lose their homes, health and lands along with their wildlife due to this Green Fraud……………..I hope Esther gets so much support that she can counter-sue these “dredges of society” and hold them responsible for what they have done to this once great Province!!!!
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