In an effort to create awareness and gather support for the affected communities by Chevron in Ecuador, solidarity committees from all over the world have declared May 21st, 2014 as the international #AntiChevron day of action. The Canadian Committee will join this calling with events in Toronto and Kitchener. Chevron, formerly known as Texaco, contaminated the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest for over 20 years, leaving pollution 30 times larger than the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska, becoming the probably largest oil-related environmental catastrophe in the world. This caused the destruction of great parts of the Amazon Rainforest and the death and sickness of thousands of people and generations. Health issues to the Indigenous peoples in the surrounding regions include cancer epidemics, miscarriages, deformations, skin problems, etc. This is the reason why 30000 affected people represented by the Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia, sued Chevron in a court in New York, USA. However Chevron fought to have the trial moved to Ecuador. Finally, in 2011, after nearly 20 years of legal battle, the Ecuadorian court, ruled that Chevron had to pay for the destruction that it caused and to compensate the victims. On December 11, 2013 the Supreme Court of Ecuador ratified the ruling and set the final amount owed at $9.5 billion. Chevron has retracted their assets in Ecuador so as a result, the indigenous plaintiffs are now trying to gain justice in several Courts across the globe, including Canada. On December 17, 2013, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled that the Ecuadorian indigenous communities indeed have the right to pursue all of Chevrons assets in Canada to enforce the $9.5 billion Ecuador judgment (Chevrons assets in Canada are estimated to be worth $15 billion). Thus, the entirety of the Ecuador judgment can be collected in Canada if our communities prevail on their enforcement action. The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa has also exposed Chevrons pollution and corruption which they are eagerly trying to hide. Further, presidents, activist, political parties and social movements from across the world have shown their support for Correas calling for justice. Given that the legal battle against Chevron now continues in Canada, several organizations and collectives in Toronto created the Canadian Committee in Solidarity with the affected communities by Chevron. Two of their members joined the Ecuadorian School of Good Living (Escuela del Buen Vivir) in a trip to the Amazon Rainforest where they witnessed the destruction left by the oil giant Chevron. The communities affected by Chevron deserve Justice! Together we can make this company accountable! Join the Canadian Solidarity Committee with the affected communities by Chevron in Ecuador. https://twitter/chevronsdirty https://facebook/chevronsdirt... chevronsdirtyhand@gmail
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 19:47:57 +0000
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