Feature story - December 3, 2004
MUMBAI, India — Two very different events played out in the evening of Dec 3 at the Gateway of India, Mumbai. One was of pomp and grandeur and the other of remembrance and hope.
A replica of the Ruth Waterman Bhopal memorial statue, joins Bhopal supporters in Mumbai at the candle light vigil on the night of 20th anniversary of the worlds worst industrial disaster.
Two very different events played out in the evening of Dec 3 at
the Gateway of India, Mumbai. One was of pomp and grandeur and the
other of remembrance and hope.
Officially, the Gateway belonged to the Navel Retreat Band who
occupied the immediate area beyond their time of stay. The fallout:
our action group had to tweak the original plan and install the
statue 40 meters away.
A
replica of Ruth Waterman's Bhopal memorial was installed. A 25 x 20
feet banner proclaimed Dow's liability. People held their lit
candles even as strong breeze blew in from the sea. Vinod Shetty,
spokesperson for ICJB Mumbai in a short speech retraced the horror
of the infamous day and said that the people of the world will
fight on until justice is delivered. He said that Corporate Crime
is not being punished and that the Governments across the world
need to respond to the will of the people. Slogans were chanted and
enthused people lent their voice in unison as the Bhopal pledge was
read out. A full throated version of Hum Honge Kamyab concluded the
vigil.
In
a show of solidarity the victims and survivors of Bhopal were
reassured that the people of Mumbai stood with them in their
ongoing struggle for Justice.
For more information, contact
Vivek Sharma, Media Officer, Greenpeace at +91 93437 88424
Vinuta Gopal, Bhopal Campaigner, Greenpeace at +91 98455
35418