Action Alert: Chevron out of UN - SF Protest and Letter Campaign

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TAKE CHEVRON OUT OF THE UNITED NATIONSUrge the UNA-USA to Sever Ties to Big Oil

http://www.earthrights.org

 

Write a letter now!Attend the protest in San Francisco!

June 23, 2005, San Francisco, California – This weekend, the United Nations celebrates its 60th anniversary in its birthplace, San Francisco, at a gala event presented by the UN Association of the USA and sponsored by the Chevron Corporation. Not only is Chevron sponsoring the event, but Chevron chairman and CEO Dave O'Reilly has been given the honor of being named chairman of the celebration committee. This partnership between the UN and Chevron is unacceptable. It undermines the reputation of the UN and serves to confuse the public regarding Chevron’s human rights and environmental record.

EarthRights supporters, help us take on Chevron!

Eristas in the San Francisco area are urged to join members of Amazon Watch at a demonstration outside the Fairmont Hotel.

 

Sunday, June 26th. 12 noonFairmont Hotel950 Mason (at California Street, at the top of Nob Hill)San Francisco

Those of us who aren't fortunate enough to attend can show their solidarity by writing a letter (sample letter) to UNA-SF president Nancy L. Peterson.

 

Nancy L. PetersonUN Association of San FranciscoEmail: nlpeterson, una-sf, execoffice(Please address letters to Nancy L. Peterson and send copies to all three email addresses above.)

From Greenwash to Bluewash

Chevron was a pioneer of the “greenwash”, the art of promoting an enlightened environmental policy through advertising campaigns intended to divert public attention away from a company’s actual record of environmental destruction. Typically, the projects touted in these public relations campaigns were less expensive than the ads used to promote them. Now, by simply adding a bit of UN blue, Chevron is trying to “bluewash” its record on human rights and world affairs, despite its liability for human rights abuses in countries such as Nigeria, Burma, and Ecuador, among others.

This is a bad deal for the UN. The actions of corporations like Chevron are completely contrary to the goals and values of the UN, and this partnership does a great dishonor to the memory of Eleanor Roosevelt and the founders of the UN.

Call, fax and email Nancy Peterson to remind her that:

 

In May 1998, when community leaders were protesting peacefully at Chevron’s Parabe oil platform in Nigeria, Chevron flew in soldiers from the notorious Nigerian military. The soldiers fired on the protestors, killing two and injuring others.

 

In January 1999, Nigerian soldiers in Chevron-leased helicopters and boats attacked two villages, killing several people and burning both villages to the ground. Even though Chevron paid the soldiers who conducted the attacks on the villages and on the Parabe platform, Chevron argues that it should not be held liable for either of these events.

 

In Ecuador, Chevron bears responsibility for one of the most widespread and severe environmental contaminations ever documented. Prior to its merger, Chevron’s subsidiary Texaco deforested millions of hectares of the Ecuadorian Amazon, and contaminated rivers, streams, and farms, which resulted in the destruction of local indigenous communities and the poisoning of thousand of people. Texaco consistently sought to avoid responsibility and since the merger, Chevron has continued that ignoble tradition.

 

Chevron is set to acquire Unocal Corporation and in turn a stake in Burma’s infamous Yadana gas pipeline. Unocal is associated with forced labor, rape and murder; acts committed by the Burmese military on behalf of the oil company.

 

Chevron, in alliance with ExxonMobil and other major oil companies, has sponsored bad science and funded lobbyists whose sole aim is to obstruct international efforts and real solutions to global warming.

 

Emissions from Chevron-produced oil and gas account for some 2% of all carbon dioxide worldwide.

 

 

 

Please address letters to Nancy L. Peterson, President of the UN Association of San Francisco, but send copies to the following three email addresses: nlpeterson, una-sf, execoffice

We encourage you to write a personalized letter and to use the sample letter below only as a guide. If you don't have the time, simply cut and paste the letter below into your email editor, fill in the correct date, and sign.

Thank You!

***** SAMPLE LETTER ******

Nancy Peterson, PresidentUNA-SF

[date]

Dear Ms. Peterson:

I am writing to express my dismay at seeing that Chevron is the lead sponsor and its CEO Dave O'Reilly the Honorary Chair of the UN 60th Anniversary event on June 25 and 26. Chevron is a company that surely wishes to associate itself with the United Nations, but has not shown a willingness to respect its principles.

Chevron is one of the world's leading producers of global greenhouse gas producing oil and therefore a leading cause of global warming. What's worse, Chevron has worked to deny the science of global warming and delay solutions. In Nigeria, Chevron brought soldiers to a controversial oil platform and later to two villages, with tragic results, including the deaths of peaceful protestors and the burning of the two villages. Chevron argues it should not be held liable, even though it paid the soldiers who carried out both attacks. Before the merger with Chevron, Texaco was responsible for the one of the most widespread and severe environmental contamination ever documented, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Texaco consistently sought to avoid responsibility for its action in Ecuador, and Chevron continues to do the same.

Chevron's sponsorship of the anniversary event dishonors the work of Eleanor Roosevelt and the other visionary founders of the UN. I believe in the work of the UN and of UNA-USA, but I cannot support this kind of event. Please be more thoughtful about your partners for these types of events in the future.

Sincerely,

[name]

 

 

 

 

ABOUT US EarthRights International (ERI) combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment. Learn more about our work at http://www.earthrights.org - EarthRights International's US Office: 1612 K St. NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20006 202-466-5188 SUPPORT US Your donation to ERI will help us fight human rights and environmental abuses in Burma and around the world. Donate