Quite the scene here in Houston this weekend. Thousands of runners are converging here to run a 26 mile marathon sponsored by Chevron. Over 200,000 spectators are expected to come out and watch the run. Runners from Rainforest Action Network will be joining the race to promote human rights in Ecuador.
Chevron is responsible for billions of gallons of waste left in the Ecuadorian Amazon and refuses to clean up or pay reparations for the environmental disaster.
But yesterday at the marathon expo, Chevron Marathon Expo Director Steven Karpas confronted Team RAN as they set up their table to pass out educational information about Chevron’s role in the Ecuadorian Amazon. After stating that Chevron was “freaking out” Karpas had Team RAN removed from the expo by Houston police and refunded their money for the table.
When asked for a reason for their ejection, Steven Karpas told the runners they were being removed for “protest activities.” The Rainforest Action Network team’s objective at the Expo was not to protest, disrupt the Expo or dampen other runners experience at this important race. The runners merely wanted to sit at their table and invite other runners to run with them for human rights.
“We are outraged that Chevron would deny marathon participants the right to run for what they believe, in our case, human rights in Ecuador,” said Rainforest Action Network runner Maria Ramos. “It is sad that the Chevron Houston Marathon – which raises awareness and money for many important causes – would deny the rights of participants to appease a corporate sponsor that is clearly ashamed of its human rights record.”
Thanks to the expo ejection, a number of media articles have appeared and gotten more attention for Team RAN’s cause.
Tomorrow is the race and more fun stuff is planned. Stay tuned!
And if you want freak Chevron out more, but can’t make the run with us go to our brand new campaign website, www.ChangeChevron.org, and let Chevron’s new CEO John Watson know they’ve got to start respecting human rights.
Great job, keep it up!
This is a load of propaganda. Chevron is not responsible as the Ecuadoran gov’t cleared Texaco of any liability after they cleaned their sites and paid over $40 million in almost 20 years ago. PetroEcuador, who has the absolute worst environmental record of any nationalised oil company continued to work those same reservoirs. Now, long after the fact and Ecuador tries for a money grab like this. Total bunk!
So I ask. What responsibility does the Ecuadorian government hold? Obviously according to this group none as it’s big bad Chevron that is responsible for all these issues.
okay. I get the gist of the comments above. What I would like to point out is that there is still a huge sludge lake in Ecuador that people have to live and die with- no matter whos ‘fault’ it is…Because really, if you drive a car, it is YOUR fault! Me included!
I believe the basis of this problem is selfishness and greed- for comfort, ease, power, and influence- not to mention the money.
And what would be done w/ the sludge if it could be removed? Is there a use for it? Or will it be put somewhere else out of sight and mind to slowly poison another area?
A huge part of problems like these is a lack of moral thinking…forethought and planning..and yes, WE DO KNOW the outcomes of our behaviors -whether a course of action is right or wrong for the environment and the health of ALL living beings.
The real tragedy for all concerned is the lack of honesty, willingness and openmindness that would be the basis for any REAL change in our collective thought patterns.
Who should clean this mess up? Whomever made the most profit should fund it and I will be the the first to get on a plane, get there and supply my labor at whatever task free of charge. If we ALL did this, this disaster would be cleaned up within 2 years.
Can we please quit passing the hot potato of blame around and take some responsibility for our lifestyles??? I would surely welcome any thinking persons comments here…