Spoon v. Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC et al.
Three water protectors have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in response to their false arrests during protests of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in St. Martin’s Parish, Louisiana in August 2018.
Cynthia Spoon, Sophia Cook-Phillips, and Eric Moll were traveling in a canoe and kayak on the waters of Bayou Bee to observe and peacefully protest the construction. As part of a continuing effort to suppress the protests, Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC (BBP) and HUB Enterprises (HUB) directed “private duty” law enforcement officers from the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole to arrest the water protectors for “unlawful entry of a critical infrastructure,” a recently enhanced felony under Louisiana law.
The case is pending in front of the LA District Court.
Bayou Bridge Pipeline used Louisiana law and Louisiana law enforcement officers as tools to suppress peaceful protests on open waters. We intend to hold them accountable for their attack on our clients and their plan to silence the voices of these water protectors.
Case Developments
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Judge Denies Bayou Bridge Pipeline's Motion to Dismiss —
Chief Judge Shelley Dick denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss our case against Bayou Bridge Pipeline, LLC, its private security company, and several law enforcement officers.
September 29, 2020 -
Lawsuit Filed in Response to False Arrests During Peaceful Protests —
Three water protectors, Cynthia Spoon, Sophia Cook-Phillips, and Eric Moll, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in response to their false arrests during protests of the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in St. Martin’s Parish, Louisiana.
August 9, 2019
Key Documents
In the News
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Are pipeline companies buying justice?
EnergyWire January 4, 2021 -
Judge: Suit over arrest of pipeline protesters can go on
Associated Press October 1, 2020 -
Bayou Bridge Pipeline protesters’ lawsuit against company can proceed, judge rules
NOLA September 30, 2020 -
Pipeline protesters challenge law that makes trespassing at ‘critical infrastructures’ a felony
Louisiana Record August 23, 2019