U'wa Indians Arrive in Los Angeles Urging Divestment from Occidental Petroleum | Amazon Watch
Amazon Watch

U’wa Indians Arrive in Los Angeles Urging Divestment from Occidental Petroleum

April 25, 2000 | For Immediate Release


U'WA DEFENSE WORKING GROUP

For more information, contact:

presslist@amazonwatch.org or +1.510.281.9020

EVENTS PLANNED THROUGHOUT WEEK
WHAT: 1) VIGIL WITH U’WA LEADERS AND SCORES OF SUPPORTERS
2) PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE OCCIDENTAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WHERE: 1) THE HOME OF DR. RAY IRANI, Oxy CEO (Sunset Blvd. at Bel Air Drive Entrance to Bel Air)
2) Outside Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (corner of Main and Pico)
WHEN: 1) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26th, 7:30PM
2) FRIDAY APRIL 28th, 9:30AM

LOS ANGELES, CA – Riding a wave of growing international support and important victories, leaders of Colombia’s U’wa people have arrived in Los Angeles for the Annual Meeting of Occidental Petroleum. Roberto Perez and Berito Kuwaru’wa, spokesmen for the U’wa people, have come to LA to urge shareholders to divest from Occidental, which is threatening to drill for oil on their traditional homeland. The U’wa are so opposed to the project that they have repeatedly stated that they are “willing to die” to stop the drilling.

Late last month, construction on the proposed drilling site, known as “Gibraltar 1” was stopped by order of a Colombian court, which ruled that drilling could violate the U’wa’s “fundamental rights.” Occidental and the Colombian government have appealed the ruling, despite growing opposition to the plan on the ground.

Over the last several months, a broad cross-section of Colombian civil society has come together in support of the U’wa. Thousands of farmers, students, and union members have joined the U’wa and other indigenous groups in peaceful blockades of the proposed wellsite. On several occasions earlier this year, Colombian police broke up the blockades, leading in one instance to the deaths of three children.

Since February, when Colombian troops evicted the U’wa from their land, more than a hundred demonstrations have been held throughout the United States and Europe. Many of these demonstrations have targeted Al Gore, whose family connections to Oxy have become an issue in the presidential campaign. Over 40 demonstrations have also targeted Fidelity Investments, one of the largest shareholders in Oxy.

“Oxy’s project is a huge risk to investors” said Atossa Soltani, director of Amazon Watch. “Between troubles in the court, resistance on the ground, and the growing concern among international human rights and environmental groups, this project is not a wise investment. Since Oxy refuses to pull out, we’re urging investors to get out of Oxy.”

Roberto Perez and Berito Kuwaru’wa, the present and past Presidents of the U’wa Traditional Authority are both available for interviews throughout the week by calling the contacts above. B-Roll footage, photos, and additional background are also available.

U’WA DEFENSE WORKING GROUP is endorsed by the following organizations:
Action Resource Center, Amazon Watch, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, EarthWays Foundation, Indigenous Environmental Network, Project Underground, Rainforest Action Network, Sol Communications, U’wa Defense Project, International Law Project for Human Environmental and Economic Defense.

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