“People’s Tribunal” in Oakland Seeks to Give Nature a Voice in Law
Oakland, CA — On Sunday October 5, human, indigenous and nature’s rights groups will hold a “Bay Area Rights of Nature Alliance Ethics Tribunal,” examining the violations of community and nature’s rights caused by the fossil fuel industry, and using Chevron’s refinery in Richmond, California as a case study. Recognizing ecosystem rights in law is a concept that has been gaining strength over the past decade, including in numerous US communities and the constitution of Ecuador. Two years after the refinery explosion that rocked the Richmond community, residents still live with the threat and reality of further harm, while local air, water and land remain at risk. Moreover, despite having been found guilty of dozens of violations of the law in 2012, Chevron Corp. will be expanding operations at the refinery.
- Carl Anthony (Breakthrough Communities; Urban Habitat)
- Brian Swimme (California Institute of Integral Studies; Journey of the Universe)
- Anuradha Mittal (Oakland Institute)
- Courtney Cummings (Arikara and Cheyenne; Native Wellness Center, Richmond)
- Bill Twist (Pachamama Alliance)