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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Occidental Petroleum's Toxic Legacy in the Peruvian Amazon To Dominate Annual Meeting, Says Amazon Watch |
| Shareholders Warned: Oxy Faces Lawsuit Similar to Chevron in Ecuador Video news release narrated by Daryl Hannah available at www.amazonwatch.org Interviews Available Onsite Before and After the Meeting (WORLD-WIRE) LOS ANGELES, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, a delegation of concerned shareholders, environmental and human rights activists, lawyers and celebrities will once again address Occidental Petroleum's (OXY) annual stockholders' meeting to urge CEO Ray Irani and the Board of Directors to rectify the company's legacy of harm in the Peruvian Amazon before more indigenous Achuar people fall victim to widespread oil contamination. Among advocates and proxy-holders who will speak at the meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica will be Lily la Torre, lawyer for the Achuar people in Peru; Bill Powers, engineer with E-tech International; Patrick Doherty, Director of Corporate Responsibility for New York City Common Retirement Fund and actress Q'orianka Kilcher (The New World). For every barrel of oil produced in Peru, Oxy dumped eight barrels of toxic wastewater into the Amazon. Over three decades, the company discharged an estimated nine billion barrels of toxic effluent directly into rivers and streams used by the Achuar for drinking, bathing and food production. "We ask Occidental executives to open their hearts and to recognize the gravity of the health and humanitarian crisis facing the Achuar people, and to rectify the great harm and injustice the company has caused," said Lily La Torre, Peruvian lawyer for the Achuar. "Oxy shareholders should be concerned about the potential massive liability this case represents for the company, both in terms of financial as well as reputational risk," said Atossa Soltani, Executive Director of Amazon Watch. "If in doubt, Oxy should consider the 15-year legal battle Chevron has faced over similar legacy issues in Ecuador, where it faces a $27 billion cleanup bill." The New York City Common Retirement Fund, which holds 2,772,777 shares in Oxy representing an estimated $151 million, has filed a resolution that raises concerns about the company's handling of the Peru disaster. Amazon Watch released a short video today containing powerful footage of the contamination and testimonies from affected communities. The video, which is narrated by actress Daryl Hannah and contains additional background information, is available at www.amazonwatch.org or from media contacts Mitch Anderson, 415-342-4783 or Joseph Mutti at 510-566-4346 at Joseph@amazonwatch.org. CONTACT: Mitch Anderson, +1-415-342-4783, or Joseph Mutti, +1-510-566-4346, Joseph@amazonwatch.org, both of Amazon Watch |
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