Who: Humberto Piaguaje, a leader of the Secoya nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon in the landmark $6 billion lawsuit against Chevron for its devastation of the rainforest in Ecuador, regarded by many experts as the world’s worst oil-related environmental disaster.
Where: San Francisco City Hall, lower level
When: From 5pm to 5.30pm, Weds, Nov 16, followed by formal opening reception of “Crude Reflections: ChevronTexaco’s Rainforest Legacy”, a photo exhibit documenting the social and environmental impacts of Chevron’s (formerly Texaco) destructive oil drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The reception will last until 7.30pm, with the program starting at 6.15pm. (NB: Mr. Piaguaje is also available for interviews at other times through Thursday, Nov. 16, by prior appointment.)
Biography of Humberto Piaguaje
Mr. Piaguaje is a leader of the Secoya nation. He is the official spokesperson for the Secoya Indigenous Organization of Ecuador (OISE) in the ChevronTexaco case and Sub-Coordinator for the Assembly of People Affected by ChevronTexaco. He lives in Lago Agrio, the town hosting the court case against Chevron.
As a representative of the Secoya, Mr Piaguaje has made several trips to the United States over the last 10 years to give legal testimony against Texaco. Five indigenous peoples – the Cofan, Siona, Secoya, Huaorani and Quichua – have been dramatically affected by Texaco’s extraction practices between 1972 and 1992. Prior to Texaco’s arrival, the Secoya people numbered in the thousands. Because of toxic contamination, forest destruction, displacement,and cultural loss, the Secoya population is now approximately 350.
Extensive background information on the campaign to hold Chevron accountable for its toxic contamination of the Ecuadorian rainforest, including photos, independent, peer-reviewed health studies and trial updates are available at: chevrontoxico.com
