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HELP Bhopalis!
In February 2008, survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster in India walked 500 miles to the Indian capitol of New Dehli, where they are camping out on the streets. The Prime Minister met with the survivors, but his promises for assistance have been empty. Survivors have started a hunger strike; the current strikers have not eaten for 16 days. Please read on for further information about how YOU CAN HELP the Bhopalis!
Date: 7/17/2008 6:53:31 PM ( 16 y ) ... viewed 1941 times Bhopal, India, 1984:
A deadly gas leak from a pesticide manufacturing plant (Union Carbide, now part of Dow Chemical) killed 15,000 people and poisoned scores more.
July 2008:
Survivors of the disaster are still seeking health care, justice, and cleanup after 24 years! In February of 2008, 50 men, women, and children--survivors, children and grandchildren of the survivors, and supporters--walked 500 miles to New Delhi seeking an audience with India's Prime Minister. The survivors have been camping out on the streets of New Delhi for over 4 months. Some have been arrested several times for trespassing. They have been subjected to intimidation, verbal abuse, and beatings by the police.
On June 2nd, the Prime Minister conveyed his "in principle" agreement to a Special Commission for rehabilitating Bhopal. But like past unfulfilled promises, no details nor timelines were provided, no proper health care or clean water were guaranteed. In the matter of the government's neglected responsibilities as prosecutor of the criminal case still ongoing against the fugitive Dow/Carbide, there was silence.
Nine Bhopal activists, including survivors and their supporters, commenced a hunger strike in June to underscore their demands for a special empowered commission for rehabilitation in Bhopal, and legal action against Dow Chemical and Union Carbide. The first group of strikers fasted from June 10 to July 2; 22 days without food. A second group of nine started fasting on July 2 and are now on their 16th day without food.
What You Can Do to Help:
1. Send FREE Faxes to the Prime Minister of India:
http://www.boston4bhopal.org/write_fax.php
http://action.panna.org/t/5185/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1205
2. Make a donation
http://www.bhopal.net/supporters.html#donations
Donate through PANNA (Pesticide Action North America): https://www.panna.org/system/give/onlineDonationBhopal.php
3. Tell people about Bhopal
http://www.bhopal.net/supporters.html#inform
4. Take further action
http://www.bhopal.net/supporters.html#activism
5. Find out more information:
Read: "What Happened in Bhopal?":
http://www.bhopal.org/whathappened.html
Read daily updates on what's happening in New Delhi:
http://bhopal.net/
6. Get on a conference call to India this Sunday July 27:
What: Conference call with Bhopal Campaigners at Jantar Mantar Dharna in Delhi
When: Sunday July 27, 7pm PST/10pm EST (Monday July 28 7:30am Delhi IST)
How: If you want to join the call, RSVP to shana@panna.org by Friday July 25, and you will get the conference call number and code emailed to you.
What is is like to put your life on the line and live on the pavement for 4 months? How can we best help the people who have chosen to make these sacrifices to campaign for justice for their fellow Bhopalis?
--Shana Blustein Ortman
US Coordinator, International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal
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