Activist Toolkit - 24 th Anniversary of the Bhopal Disaster
December 2-3, 2008
photo from candle-lit vigil in Indiana on 22 nd Anniversary
Thank you for planning an event to commemorate the 24 th Anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Disaster! The anniversary is an important opportunity to remind people that the Bhopal disaster did not end in 1984 - it is an ongoing disaster, and the struggle for justice has been growing for 24 years! This anniversary is an opportunity to bring more people into this important movement, to hold Dow Chemical Company accountable through our grassroots power, and to remind the Indian Government to keep the promises they've made to the Bhopal Survivors.
In this toolkit you will find:
Background Information on the Bhopal Disaster & Campaign
On December 3rd, 1984, thousands of people in Bhopal, India, were gassed to death after a 
catastrophic chemical leak at a Union Carbide pesticide plant. More than 150,000 people (1) were left severely disabled - of whom 23,000 (2) have since died of their injuries - in a disaster now widely acknowledged as the world's worst-ever industrial disaster.
More than 27 tons (3) of methyl isocyanate and other deadly gases turned Bhopal into a gas chamber. None of the six safety systems at the plant were functional, (4) and Union Carbide's own documents prove the company designed the plant with "unproven" and "untested" technology , and cut corners on safety and maintenance in order to save money.
Today, twenty- four years after the Bhopal disaster, at least 50,000 people (5) are too sick to work for a living, and a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that the children of gas-affected parents are themselves afflicted by Carbide's poison.
Carbide is still killing in Bhopal. The chemicals that Carbide abandoned in and around their Bhopal factory have contaminated the drinking water of 20,000 people (6) . Testing published in a 2002 report revealed poisons such as 1,3,5 trichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, lead and mercury in the breast milk of nursing women living near the factory.
Although Dow Chemical acquired Carbide's liabilities when it purchased the company in 2001 (7) , it still refuses to address its liabilities in Bhopal - or even admit that they exist. Till date, Dow-Carbide has refused to:
International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal/ Students for Bhopal
The International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal is comprised of committed volunteers and supporters primarily in the US, UK and India who work to hold the Indian government and Dow Chemical accountable to the survivor's demands. The Campaign is guided by the survivors and is accountable to them. Students for Bhopal is what we call the grassroots campaigns and supporters, mostly based in school and university environments, but Students for Bhopal include both students and professionals.
24 Years of Struggle & Victories!
Here is a quote from Rasheeda Bi and Champa Devi Shukla, the two women leaders of the Bhopal campaign, upon receiving the prestigious Goldman Prize four years ago:
"Dow and other corporations are causing slow and silent Bhopals all over the world. Mothers everywhere in the world carry chemical poisons in their breasts. The day that we succeed in holding Dow liable for the continuing disaster in Bhopal, it will be good news for people all over the world. From that day on, chemical corporations will think twice before peddling poisons and putting profits before the lives and health of people.
We are not expendable. We are not flowers offered at the altar of profit and power. We are dancing flames committed to conquering darkness and to challenging those who threaten the planet and the magic and mystery of life."
--Top--Make sure to email shana@panna.org to let us know what you're planning, and let us know if you need anything! The following is a helpful checklist, for most any type of action you're planning.
TWO TO THREE WEEKS BEFORE EVENT
ONE WEEK BEFORE
TWO DAYS BEFORE
ON THE ANNIVERSARY
AFTER THE EVENT
Coordinate an Anniversary Vigil
On Dec. 3rd, organize a vigil on campus, in your community, or near the home of a Dow Boardmember or a Dow facility . Vigils can draw a large crowd and include people who might not want to otherwise participate in an action or protest.
Invite participants to remember the dead and vow to fight for those who still suffer today. Consider including speakers, music, survivor testimonials, poetry readings, and candle-lighting. Look through the other fun action ideas to see if there are other elements you can add to the vigil.
Resources:
Below are some ideas and instructions for a house party - Click here to get more information and materials for house parties! Make sure to let Shana (shana@panna.org) know if you're planning a fundraiser.
Party Ideas
There are lots of ways to throw a fundraising party! Here are some ideas that you might want to incorporate into your party. Be creative and throw a party that you, your friends, and your community will enjoy.
Location, Location, Location
Food for the soul - Feeding people makes them happy (and generous)! There are easy and cheap ways to have food at your party.
Bringing in the money - ideas for making your party a fundraising success!
Other Ideas
Party Planning Check-list
Up to 1-2 Months Before
Three to Six Weeks Before
Two to Four Weeks Before
One Week Before
Three Days Before
Day Of
The Presentation (see Sample Ask for more details)
Asking For Money
Asking for money is most effective when it comes from the heart. Draw on the reasons why you became involved in Bhopal - your personal reasons for involvement and your passion is most effective. Explain that without funds the campaign cannot do fax actions, websites, media outreach - that their dollars provide a way for the voices of Bhopalis to be heard around the world - without their support those voices could be drowned out by Dow's expensive marketing. Feel free to share the quote at the end of the "Backgrounder" section of this toolkit to help your audience realize that the Bhopal struggle is a powerful and universal cause that is worth their support.
Sample Ask:
"Thank you all for coming to this party to learn about the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal. As you may know, we're gearing up for the 25th Anniversary of the disaster - a momentous reminder of the 25 years of courage and struggle for justice.
"The Bhopal movement has celebrated many victories, mourned many loved ones, and battled many foes - but one thing that this struggle has more than anything else is hope. Even in the face of 25 years of ongoing devastation, the Bhopal survivors hope and believe in victory. They look at the thousands of supporters they have around the world - they look at the thousands willing to give generously to their plight - and they believe that victory is around the corner. With a strong network of supporters around the world, it will not take another 25 years to hold Dow and the Indian government accountable for the lives lost and the health of the survivors.
"We have seen major victories, just in the past year. After walking 500 miles in 38 days, 50 Bhopal survivors set up a protest tent, or Dharna at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi during the spring of 2008. Over the next 130 days, they were joined by hundreds of supporters and other survivors. For over 130 days, they protested, chanted, sang, and lived at the Dharna. There were 6,000 faxes to the Prime Ministers office from around the world, and over 300 phone calls. Groups of Survivors fasted for 60-days, and were joined by nearly 1000 supporters internationally.
"They kept fighting until August 8, when at last the government agreed to meet their demands. They agreed to establish an empowered commission to deal with social, environmental, medical, and economic issues that still plague the people of Bhopal. They announced that they would take legal action on the civil and criminal liabilities of Union Carbide and Dow Chemical for the ongoing disasters.
"While these victories are very significant, there is still a long road ahead in the struggle for justice in Bhopal. As we commemorate the 24 th and the 25 th anniversaries of, the survivors need your support to make sure these promises are kept. Your donation can help us remain watchful to ensure that everyone in Bhopal is guaranteed free and clean water, and to continue the fight to hold Dow Chemical Company responsible for the ongoing costs of this tragedy.
"Your support can make a difference in the fight for justice in Bhopal. So please, reach deep in your pocket, take out your checkbooks, and donate to the Campaign for Justice in Bhopal. With your donation we can continue the fight until we have a toxic free future for Bhopal and for all of us!"
How to collect donations for ICJB
At this point you'll have everyone ready to write you checks and give all the money they have in their wallets! Checks should be made out to "Pesticide Action Network North America" - they can put ICJB in the memo. PANNA is ICJB's fiscal Sponsor - 100% of the donations go to ICJB, and their donations are tax-deductable.
Each donor must fill out a donation slip ( see materials online ) so we can properly thank him or her. Attach any cash or checks to the completed slips. Mail donations to: Shana Ortman, c/o PANNA, 49 Powell Street, suite 500, San Francico, CA 94102
--Top--
If you live in Michigan, Illinois, New York, the DC area, North Carolina, or California, you may have a Dow Board member as you neighbor! Please help us remind the Dow Board about their responsibilities and liabilities in Bhopal! Dow's Board members are among the wealthiest and most powerful Americans, they are able to shield themselves in their country clubs and offices from any news about Bhopal that might remind them of the people dying there. The postcards and protests targeting the company rarely if ever reach them - so we must take the protests to them individually to make sure they cannot simply forget Bhopal. They must also feel they are being held personally accountable for their actions - they should not be allowed to hide behind the company name.
What can you do?
Where can you find Dow Board members in the US?
Andrew N. Liveris Home: Office 1308 W. Sugnet Rd Executive Department Midland, MI 48640 2030 Dow Center Midland, MI 48674 989-636-1752; 989-636-9656 (fax) Geoffery Merszei, home: James M. Ringler, home: 2914 Valley Drive 1490 Lake Rd Midland MI 48640 Lake Forest, IL 60045 (847) 615-8941 (h), (847) 657-4060 (office)
J. Pedro Reinhard, home: Jeff M. Fettig, home: 4708 Moorland Dr 274 Ridgeway Drive Midland, MI 48640-1910 Saint Joseph, MI 49085-1000
Jackie Barton home: Office: 1235 Saint Albans Rd Division of Chemistry & Chem Engineering San Marino, CA 91108-1857 California Institute of Technology Tel.: (626) 568-1724 1201 E. California Boulevard jkbarton@cco.caltech.edu Pasadena, CA 91125 jkbarton@its.caltech.edu Tel: (626) 395-6075 Fax: (626) 577-4976
Arnold A Allemang, home: James A Bell, home: 2404 North Quail Run 2612 N Burling Street Midland, MI 48642 Chicago, IL 60614-1514
Paul G. Stern, home: Dennis H. Reilley, home: 13331 Signal Tree Lane 27650 MARINA ISLE COURT Potomac, MD 20854 BONITA SPRINGS, FL 34134 Barbara Hackman Franklin Home: Office: 2700 Virginia Ave NW President of Barbara Franklin Enterprises Suite 112 2600 Virginia Avenue Northwest, suite 506 Washington, DC 20037 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 337-9100
at former CEO Michael Parker's house in 2002
MEDIA Checklist:
ONE-TWO WEEKS BEFORE EVENT
TWO DAYS BEFORE EVENT
MORNING OF ACTION
AFTER THE ACTION
SAMPLE PRESS ADVISORY
GROUP'S NAME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday December 3, 2008
CONTACT: Contact(s) Name, Phone Number, Email
CONCERNED DALLASITES HOLD 24th ANNIVERSARY VIGIL FOR VICTIMS OF BHOPAL GAS DISASTER
WHO: [Your organization, coalition groups, concerned citizens, students, etc]
WHAT: [Details of your event, for example: Candle lit vigil to commemorate the 24 th Anniversary of the world's worst industrial accident in Bhopal, India. Vigil will have banners, a die in, and singing]
WHEN: [Time of action - you want to tell media to come 15 minutes after you expect the event to start. Ex: December 3, 2008 at 6PM]
WHERE: [Location, ex: In front of the Student Union]
WHY: The vigil is to commemorate the 24 years of courage and bravery in the face of corporate crime that the survivors of the world's worst industrial accident have shown. This action is one of dozens around the globe to highlight the ongoing effects of the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India, where a second generation of disaster survivors, many of whom are small children, are being forced to cope with the disaster's ongoing chemical fallout. Members of an international coalition supporting the Bhopal survivors will take action around the globe to hold the Dow Chemical Company accountable for its liability in the cleanup of the disaster areas, and to hold the Indian government answerable to the survivors' needs.
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SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
GROUP'S NAME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday December 3, 2008
CONTACT: Contact(s) Name, Phone Number, Email
CONCERNED DALLASITES HOLD 24th ANNIVERSARY VIGIL FOR VICTIMS OF BHOPAL GAS DISASTER
Your City --Activists and community members will be holding a [CANDLE-LIT VIGIL/RALLY] to honor the 24th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster at [ LOCATION ], on Wednesday December 3, at [ TIME]. The vigil is being organized by [YOUR ORGANIZATION & DESCRIPTION], a member organization of the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB). The vigil is to commemorate the 24 years of courage and bravery in the face of corporate crime that the survivors of the world's worst industrial accident have shown.
This action is one of dozens around the globe to highlight the ongoing effects of the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India, where a second generation of disaster survivors, many of whom are small children, are being forced to cope with the disaster's ongoing chemical fallout. Members of an international coalition supporting the Bhopal survivors will take action around the globe to hold the Dow Chemical Company accountable for its liability in the cleanup of the disaster areas, and to hold the Indian government answerable to the survivors' needs.
[ ADD DETAILS ABOUT YOUR ACTION, VISUALS, NUMBER OF PEOPLE, ETC ]
[ SAMPLE QUOTE ] "We are committed to helping the victims of the Bhopal Gas Disaster attain their right to clean drinking water, medical care, adequate compensation, sustainable employment and clean up of the site," said [ CONTACT ].
Over 500,000 people were exposed to poisonous chemicals during the gas leak on December 3rd 1984. More than 22,000 have since died and 150,000 continue to be chronically ill. Many children in Bhopal have no choice but to drink water poisoned by the decrepit factory. Twenty-four years later a new generation of survivors are being born with cleft palates and cerebral palsy--just a few of an array of severe mental and physical disabilities of the survivors.
Studies have shown abnormalities in physical growth and mental development among children born to gas-exposed parents after the disaster. In 1994, the Indian government abandoned the bulk of research that could aid in the development of treatments for survivors. Only after years of pressure from ICJB and other rights groups, is the Indian government has promised to resume these studies.
Dow, formerly Union Carbide, abandoned the factory soon after the leak, leaving behind thousands of tons of highly toxic chemicals, which have leaked into the local groundwater supply. Many Bhopalis have no reliable alternative water source, forcing them to suffer the consequences of poisoned water: increased risks of cancer, brain damage and genetic defects. Soil testing has revealed that mercury levels approach six million times the international safety standard. Water testing shows that levels of trichloroethene, a chemical that can impair fetal development, exceed EPA safety standards by a factor of fifty.
[SAMPLE QUOTE] "Dow needs to accept responsibility for its actions. The people of Bhopal have waited far too long for justice," said [ CONTACT ]. "As concerned citizens, we need to do what we can to ensure that Dow does not continue to spread its poisons. Thousands of people have died and more innocent people continue to die. This needs to stop."
www.bhopal.net - www.studentsforbhopal.org - www.thetruthaboutdow.org
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