WHAT: Lively and colorful street theater dramatizing Part II of the historical trial against ChevronTexaco for creating a “Rainforest Chernobyl” in Ecuador. This mock inspection will include a skit with the following actors: Ecuadorian judge, lawyers, technical experts, affected peoples and supporters. The skit will take place in front of a giant oil waste pit.
WHO: Local residents, representatives of San Ramon Valley Cares about Ecuador and members of Amazon Watch.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 12 NOON
WHERE: In front of the ChevronTexaco’s world headquarters, 6001 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA.
WHY: In May 2003, a lawsuit charging ChevronTexaco with the environmental degradation of the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon, known as the Oriente, was filed in Lago Agrio, Ecuador on behalf of 30,000 indigenous and farming communities affected by the company’s operations. In October 2003, the first phase of the “Environmental Trial of the Century” took place in Ecuador. This was the first time that a U.S. multinational corporation has faced charges on environmental grounds in a developing country. If charged, ChevronTexaco could face up to $6 billion in damages. This is enforceable by the U.S. judicial system as well. Tomorrow, Judge Novillo will begin the next phase of the trial through the judicial inspections of the contaminated area and witness the contamination firsthand.
For more information on the ChevronTexaco case see www.amazonwatch.org
