Bhopal Hunger Strike Solidarity Action

Nine Bhopal activists, including supporters and survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide disaster and victims of water contamination, have begun an indefinite fast in Delhi starting noon on June 10, 2008. This extreme step is being taken after numerous failed attempts to gain the attention of the Prime Minister to the grave situation in Bhopal.

JOIN THE SAN FRANCISCO HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY PROTEST!
When: Friday, June 13, 10 AM - 12 PM (Come for as much as you can)
Where: Indian Consulate in San Francisco, 540 Arguello Blvd, San Francisco
What: If you are willing and able to fast for all or part of the day on Friday 13th, please let us know by emailing shana [at] panna.org. If you can fast, please wear white and bring a sign with a message of why you are fasting. Please join us at the protest to support the Bhopalis, even if you cannot fast. We will have signs and chants. We are also asking the Consulate to grant us a meeting.


If you think that Friday the 13th is scary, consider this: Since their arrival in Delhi on 28 March, the Bhopalis have been sitting on strike in New Delhi. They have been sitting in the heat and storms for over 70 days. They have been arrested several times, including three times for protesting in front of the Prime Minister's Residence and office. After their last demonstration yesterday, police beat many of the Bhopalis, including 6- and 11-year old children. The Bhopalis have been once again pushed into a hunger strike - read more about it this situation http://bhopal.net/blog_act/archives/2008/06/survivors_inclu.html.

Since February 20, 2008 -- when 50 Bhopalis set off on foot to cover the 500 miles from Bhopal to New Delhi -- Bhopal survivor organizations have faced numerous hardships to achieve their demands for a Special Commission for rehabilitation in Bhopal and for legal action against Dow Chemical and Union Carbide. Last month, the PM conveyed his “in-principle” agreement to a commission. But neither details nor timelines were provided. And nothing was said on the matter of legal action against Dow and Carbide.

Please join us in San Francisco to show your solidarity with the Bhopal survivors who are fasting in Delhi.

If you have any questions, if you want to help plan the action, and to let us know that you will be coming, please email shana [at] panna.org or call 415-746-0306.

Thanks you for your support,
San Francisco Bay Area Friends of Bhopal