Landfill Owner Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Uniontown Residents
The owner of a landfill in a small Alabama city has dropped a defamation lawsuit filed against residents who used social media to voice their opposition to the disposing of coal ash at the site.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which defended the landfill opponents in Uniontown, announced Tuesday that a settlement had been reached in U.S. District Court.
Georgia-based Green Group Holdings sued four Uniontown residents last year claiming the company was defamed by Facebook posts that said the company “neglects laws,” was responsible for “desecrating a black cemetery” and used its landfill to “leak toxins into rivers, streams, and groundwater.” The company sought $30 million in damages.
In a statement, Green Group said it appreciates residents’ “First Amendment right to engage in speech on matters of public concern.”
The settlement agreement is here:
A joint statement from all parties to the case is here:
https://www.aclu.org/letter/joint-statement-parties-dismissal-lawsuit
More information and other case documents are here:
https://www.aclu.org/locals-v-landfill
Photos of the ACLU’s clients for press use are here (photo credit is ACLU):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kzv0pk6ub2y0hss/AACQJ7S2y25vbwAD_DtuueSHa
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