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The story of 30,000 Ecuadoreans taking Chevron to court
By: Priscila Néri, Posted: Sep 4 09
Regions: Ecuador, United States
Issues: Corporations and human rights, Food & health & development, Indigenous peoples
Tags: alien tort, Chevron, corporate accountability, ELAW, environmental justice, lawsuit, oil, Pablo Fajardo, spill, Texaco
Sixteen years ago, 30,000 indigenous people and rainforest dwellers from the Ecuadorean Amazon filed a class-action lawsuit in a NY federal court against U.S. oil giant Texaco (purchased by Chevron in 2001). The plaintiffs allege that Texaco dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic waste into the Amazon since 1964, resulting in one of the worst environmental and humanitarian disasters on the planet and decimating the traditional lifestyles of at least five local indigenous groups. A court-appointed expert assessed the damages between US $18-27 billion and a final decision on liabilities is expected in 2009 (more on the details of the case in this factsheet by the Amazon Defense Coalition).
The story of this epic legal battle is the subject of Joe Berlinger's new documentary CRUDE, which opens in New York on September 9 and was a finalist in this year's WITNESS award at SILVERDOCS 2009. Here's the trailer (and watch an interview with director Joe Berlinger here):
In March, we met Pablo Fajardo, an inspiring community organizer from the Ecuadorean Amazon who received his law degree by correspondence and then went on to become the lead attorney for the plaintiffs along with Luis Yanza. Pablo and Luis were awarded the 2008 Goldman Prize for their continuing the fight for justice despite having become targets of increasing harassment, intimidation, and death threats over the years. In this interview, Pablo talked to us about the case and about what keeps him motivated to move forward (part 2 of the interview here):
If you're inspired to learn more and get involved, here's how:
+ ChevronToxico, The Campaign for Justice in Ecuador
+ Amazon Defense Coalition/Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia
+ CRUDE: The Real Price of Oil
+ Huffington Post: CRUDE, The Film Chevron Doesn't Want You to See
Comments
Sad but maybe a glimmer of hope
By Dennis8 on Sep 28 09
Stories like these can make you quite mad and unfortunately are not unheard of. It's pretty easy for these oil giants and industry tycoons to trample over indigenous people and tribes. But like the recent examples show in Peru and new leaders like Evo Morales and to a degree Hugo Chavez the natives are claiming what is rightfully theirs. It's heartening to see that the internet is taking quite a part in this.
I want to know more about
By Govinda Kumar Sarkar on Sep 10 09
I want to know more about Human Rights activities going on
Ecuadoreans taking Chevron to court - Good action
By ShannonO on Sep 5 09
Thanks for the very insightful article and I believe that the video clipping of the story 30,000 Ecuadoreans taking Chevron to court is really an eye opener. We should all act like this, as a community settler we should protect our homes toward this abusive coal/oil plants that destroy our environment and harming the health of our family. We all know the danger of this chemicals that flash in our bodies of water (e.g rivers, falls, seas, oceans) - to clean it up for us to use and for other next generation. I’m proud of Pablo Fajardo and Luis Yanza for being the strength of their people and fight for justice despite having become targets of increasing harassment, intimidation, and death threats over the years. They truly deserve such honors.