|
15 november 2000
u'wa indians sing to save climate!
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Friday
17th, 5pm onwards
The West's search for new sources of oil
is damaging the climate. It is also killing
native peoples. Friends of the Earth and
Oilwatch will be taking part in a vigil march
and protest this Friday evening to support
the U'wa people and Columbia and other tribal
peoples in opposition to oil drilling on
their ancestral land.
As part of the vigil, U'wa representatives
will be singing their traditional songs to
make the spirits make a success of the
climate conference. The event with candles
starts at 6 pm at the main entrance to the
International Courts of Justice ("Peace
Palace"), and continues at 6:30 with a march
to the COP6 centre.
The U'wa are engaged in a major struggle
with US oil giant Occidental Oil, which wants
to extract 150 million tons of oil from their
land. "If we stop this disgraceful project,
we will save far more carbon than our
Government is willing to do. We will protect
our lands and people and protect the climate
at the same time" say the representatives of
the U'wa.
Speakers include:
-
representatives of U'wa and Mesquito
tribal people
-
ricardo Navarro, chair of Friends of
the Earth International
-
Tatiana Roa, Friends of the Earth
Colombia
PLEASE NOTE: A photo-call will be
organised from 5 pm in front of the Peace
Palace. Live transmission radio interviews
with U'wa people can be arranged via mobile
phone number (Tel: +420-604-207305).
For further infomation please contact:
Jan Beranek (Hnuti DUHA -FOE CZ) Tel:
+420-604-207305 (mobile)
Ivonne JanÈz (FOE Ecuador) Tel: 06 20
787254 (mobile)
Ian Willmore (FOEI) Tel: 00 44 7887 641344
(mobile)
|
