A CALL FROM THE FILIPINO/AMERICAN COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS (FACES) TO SUPPORT THE

 

Community Lawsuit for Environmental Action Now! (CLEAN!)


 

When the U.S. military closed down its bases in the Philippines in 1992, they left behind toxic contamination that is now seeping into the environment, threatening the lives of thousands of people in surrounding communities.  Today, children are born with birth defects and are dying of leukemia and other toxic related illnesses.  Despite calls by community, religious, and environmental groups, the United States refuses to take responsibility for this tragedy.

The communities around the former bases of Clark and Subic, supported by FACES and Arc Ecology are suing the U.S. military to comply with existing laws that give people the right to an assessment of contaminated areas.  The lawsuit will be filed on Tuesday, December 3 at the San Jose Federal Court in San Jose, CA. 

If the lawsuit is successful, it provides a basis for future legislation towards a comprehensive cleanup of the former bases. It would be a victory for all environmental justice causes worldwide as it could make it easier for other similarly affected communities around the world to do the same.

 
Come and support the offficial filing of a historic and precedent-setting lawsuit against the U.S. military!

1.  ENDORSE the CLEAN! campaign by having your organization sign the endorsement form that can be downloaded from the FACES website at www.facessolutions.net. Your endorsement will strengthen our efforts when contacting government officials.

2. JOIN us at the official filing of the lawsuit.  We will be meeting at 9:30 at the Second St. entrance of the San Jose Federal Court, 280 S. First St., San Jose, CA.  Volunteers are needed to hold enlarged photos of the toxic victims, placards, and banners and to show the Pentagon that there is public support for the community lawsuit on behalf of victims.

3. DONATE to the CLEAN! campaign to help with the costs of the press conference, materials, and travel.  You can make a tax-deductible donation by writing a check to FACES and sending it to PO Box 2597, El Cerrito, CA 94530. 
 
4. WRITE Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.  Express your concern about the toxic contamination and your support of a Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection of the former bases.  To be most effective, send copies of your letter to President George Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Deputy Undersecretary Raymond Dubois.  See FACES Action Alert Oct ’02-Jan ’03 on the FACES website at www.facessolutions.net for addresses, talking points, and a sample letter.
 
5. CIRCULATE the petition urging our government officials to conduct investigations at the former U.S. military bases in the Philippines.  A copy of the petition is available from the FACES website. 
 
 

For more information on the CLEAN! campaign and what you can do, please go to our website at www.facessolutions.net, e-mail info@facessolutions.net, or contact 510-517-7140.

 

 

The Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solutions is committed to seeking US responsibility for its toxic legacy at former US military bases in the Philippines and to raising funds to address the needs of toxic waste victims.

 

 

 


 

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