The Fight Against Chevron’s Destruction of the Amazon Is Back On
Chevron made environmental lawyer Steven Donziger a corporate prisoner. Now free, he’s working with indigenous communities to make the oil giant pay.
TL;DR
- Chevron was found guilty in 2011 by an Ecuadorian court for dumping toxic waste in the Amazon rainforest, ordered to pay $19 billion (later $9.5 billion) in damages.
- Chevron has evaded payment, leading the affected communities to pursue foreign asset seizure to enforce the judgment.
- Environmental lawyer Steven Donziger, who represented the communities, was targeted by Chevron and faced prolonged legal persecution, including house arrest and loss of his law license.
- Donziger is now free and traveling globally to advocate for the Amazon communities and raise awareness about corporate accountability.
- The article discusses the severe environmental and health impacts on the communities, the ongoing legal fight, and broader issues of corporate power, political influence, and the erosion of the rule of law in the US and UK.