Environmental Justice Forum:
Speak Out!
Saturday, August 25, 2001.
Durban, South Africa.
SAEPEJ, groundWork and International Possibilities Unlimited (IPU),
teamed up to host a forum for NGOs and CBOs from around the world about
issues of environmental racism and justice. Over 150 activists combating
environmental racism from over 14 countries gathered at the Kings Club in
Durban to share their experiences, struggles, victories and strategies
as part of a Community Speak Out against Environmental Racism on the 25th
of August, 2001. Delegates heard testimony about the Aboriginal People
in Australia, Indigenous, African American, Latino and Asian American
experiences in the USA, communities living in Nigeria, Dominica, Argentina,
Ecuador, Philippines and South Africa. Delegates from other parts of the
world also had a chance to tell their stories throughout the day.
This was one of the most powerful parts of the forum, people from around
the world were able to hear each other's struggles and build solidarity
in the global EJ movement.
The next day these activists were also taken on a Toxic Tour of South Durban.
Lead by community leaders in South Durban, the tour visited the Engen and
Sapref oil refineries, a toxic waste dump and the Mondi paper mill. The
participants were able to see, smell and feel the environmental racism in
the air, water and earth. They were also able to hear the issues and
injustices directly from communities effected.
Critical Resource has documented the Environmental Justice Forum: Speak Out!
for SAEPEJ, groundWork and IPU and we will be using this report and pictures
from the forum and toxic tour to put together a comprehensive report on the
whole weekend. The weekend provided an opportunity for environmental justice
activists from all over the world to come together, making this the largest
international gathering of this sort to date.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the Critical Resource's report on
the Environmental Justice Forum: Speak Out! contact us