Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Activists declare “Exxon Enough!”

By Stephanie Parker

DALLAS — Terrorism, Genocide…ExxonMobil?

The Dallas Peace Center hosted a conference Tuesday at Munger Place United Methodist Church featuring passionate speakers who compared Irving-based ExxonMobil's corporate activity to terrorism and genocide. There were about two dozen activists and representatives from environmental organizations in attendance. The conference prefaced an environmental justice hearing also on Tuesday.

The speakers emphasized that ExxonMobil infringes on the basic human right of clean air to citizens who live in "fence-line" communities near Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas. Many of the pollutants in the air next to ExxonMobil facilities are known carcinogens, yet Texas environmental agencies are not fully regulating the problem. Dr. Neil Carman, Clean Air Director of the Lone Star Sierra Club cited a study that proved ExxonMobil has underreported their emissions significantly.

Hilton Kelley, founder and CEO of Community In-power and Development, spoke about a community near Houston subjected to black rain due to its close proximity to an ExxonMobil refinery. Josefina Mendoza, a resident of Archia Courts Apartments, was victim to the polluted rain. She spoke of her woes related to the refinery, including her belief that the death of her two-year-old son was a consequence of her location relative to the ExxonMobil facility.

Reverend Roy Malveaux, pastor of the Shining Star Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont, TX, believes that ExxonMobil possesses a "gang-banger mentality" that sacrifices human lives and the law just for the sake of money. Citing Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his controversial statements about America and race, Malveaux further declared it is no coincidence that the victims of "toxic terrorism" are primarily minorities. There is no hard evidence that backs Malveaux's race claims.

Malveaux reiterated a solution mentioned by his fellow speakers. He suggested passing a resolution that prohibits fence-line communities in addition to a relocation effort that moves residents at least 1.5 miles away from the refinery.

Gary Stuard, founder and executive director of the Interfaith Environmental Alliance believes that ExxonMobil's actions are similar to committing blasphemy and sacrilege. Whether this is true or not, something must be done. Evidence proves that residents near ExxonMobil facilities are subjected to life-threatening pollution. The Dallas Peace Center will protest during ExxonMobil's annual meeting Wednesday at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in hopes of making their mark with influential shareholders.

Related stories

• Despite protests, ExxonMobil annual meeting perpetuates status quo (May 29, 2008)
• Pegasus News Week in View: Dog Days Edition (May 29, 2008)

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• Environmental Issues