FOLLOW-UP PRESS BRIEFING
For
Immediate Release
December 3, 2002
San Jose, California.
An
unprecedented lawsuit was filed this morning against the Department of
Defense. The suit was filed on behalf of Philippine nationals, community
members near the former US military bases in the Philippines, where many
have died and fallen ill to diseases related to toxic waste exposure.
Joining the 38 Filipino petitioners were the Filipino/American Coalition for
Environmental Solution (FACES) and Arc Ecology. The suit aims to hold compel
the US military to conduct an assessment of contaminated areas near US
installations.
Simultaneous press conferences were held in San Jose, California and Manila,
Philippines. In San Jose, dozens of Americans from around the Bay Area
gathered to support the lawsuit, wearing black, holding large images of
children with congenital diseases and deformities,leukemia and other
conditions, several of whom have died. A digital image of the press
conference with supporting gathering is attached.
Nher Sagum, a Philippine national speaking as a resident from one of the
affected communities began the press conference with a statement, followed
by attorney Scott Allen, FACES board member Aimee Suzara, and Arc Ecology
Executive Director Saul Bloom. The conference was hosted by FACES Chairman
Dr. Jorge Emmanuel. After the press conference, the plaintiffs walked into
the courthouse to file the suit, while supporters remained outside to hold a
vigil for the victims of toxic waste related illnesses. Holding a long
scroll with 144 names, local supporters read the names of toxic waste
victims, followed by a solemn bell, while others gathered to listen.
The judicial pathway from here:
-
60 days after the
filing the Attorney Generals Office will respond on behalf of the Air
Force and Navy;
-
within 60 days after
the Attorney Generals Office response is received, the parties will
confront each other over the legitimacy of the plaintiffs claim;
-
if the judge rules in
favor of the plaintiff, a trial will proceed.
Left to Right: Aimee Suzara, Scott Allen,
Saul Bloom, Nher Sagum, and Jorge Emmanuel during press conference on the
steps of the US District Courthouse in San Jose; background shows supporters
holding enlarged photos of the toxic waste victims
Contacts:
Aimee Suzara (FACES) 510-601-7422
Jorge Emmanuel (FACES) 510-799-2551
Saul Bloom (Arc Ecology) 415-495-1786
FACES
P.O. Box 2597
El Cerrito, CA 94530
www.facessolutions.net
info@facessolutions.net
Arc Ecology
833 Market Street, Suite 1107
San Francisco, CA 94103
arc@igc.org
