WHO: Amazon Watch and Earth Rights International are hosting a delegation of Peruvian Achuar leaders, and their human rights lawyer, on a speaking tour of the United States (Washington D.C., NY, SF, LA) to expose how U.S. based oil companies are despoiling their rain forest homelands in a remote corner of the Peruvian Amazon. Members of the delegation are:
• Andres Sandi, President of FECONACO (Federation of Native Communities of the Corrientes River Basin)
• Jorge Fachin, President of FENAP (Native Federation of Achuar of Pastaza)
• Lily La Torre-Lopez, leading human rights lawyer, Racimos de Ungurahui, Peru
WHEN: Los Angeles Visit – August 2 – 4
Public Event – Wednesday, August 3 at 7:00 pm
Press Briefing – Thursday, August 4, at 11:00 am
WHERE: Bonsorte Design Studio
2401 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica (between Pico and Ocean Park)
WHAT: The Achuar have made a week-long journey from their remote homeland to share their concerns about oil drilling on their ancestral lands. The Achuar want Angelinos to know how their ancestral lands have been destroyed by Occidental Petroleum and how their culture and way of life is being jeopardized. A short film entitled “Death in Sion” will be shown.
BACKGROUND:
Achuar indigenous leaders arrive in Los Angeles from the remote region of the Peruvian Amazon. They bring a message from their people, numbering more than 11,000, who are threatened by oil concessions held by two US companies – Houston-based Burlington Resources and Los Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum. The Achuar are raising concerns about new drilling in their pristine rainforest homelands by both companies, and are calling for cleanup of Occidental’s former operations in the Corrientes river basin, where the company used outdated technology to dispose of crude and toxic waste waters between 1971 and 2000 which led to widespread contamination and serious health impacts. Joined by Peruvian human rights attorney, Lily La Torre-López, the Achuar leaders will recount their struggle with the Peruvian government, the oil companies and others. They will share their vision for working people in this country to win guarantees for their right to life, their forest homelands and culture. # # #
