It's their fear that their criminal disregard for human life in
Bhopal and elsewhere will be dragged into the spotlight. It's their
fear that their failure to compensate the victims of the world's
worst industrial accident will impact their precious stock value.
It's their fear of being held accountable to anything, or anyone,
but their own bottom line.
On January 29th, Diane was found guilty of criminal trespass and
resisting arrest at the Calhoun County Court, Port Lavaca, in
Texas. She's facing charges stemming from her August, 2002 protest
action at the former Carbide plant in Seadrift, Texas. Diane is
facing these charges for climbing over a low fence and up a 27
metre (90 foot) tower, damaging nothing and harming no one. During
the action Diane herself was harmed by four members of a police
team who gouged at her hands and cut her arm.
During sentencing, Judge Hernandez declared that Diane was
dangerous and a menace to society. She's also facing a fine of $US
2000-3000.
In July 2002, a month prior to her action, Diane explained why
she was compelled to protest on behalf Bhopal's survivors: "Bhopal
is a symbol of the unfinished business of justice that lies before
all mankind." Diane knows what she's talking about, having visited
Bhopal in 1992. The experience persuaded her to put her body on the
line in the most literal way: she set up camp outside Dow and
stopped eating for thirty days.
In bringing the criminal complaint against Diane for a technical
infringement of rules of trespass, it would appear that the fear
Dow smells is driving a vain attempt to shut down protest and
silence criticism.
Greenpeace activists have also faced legal challenges due to
their protest around the world.
As Diane puts it, "companies like Dow make a mockery of justice.
They invoke the law when it suits them and ignore it when it
doesn't."
Diane has been on a hunger strike since her conviction. This is
her way to protest not the injustice of her trial, but to highlight
the injustices of Bhopal.
Perhaps you'd like to tell Dow your opinion on this matter?
Click on the TAKE ACTION link to send them a message in a
bottle!
And if you'd like to support Diane, send her a letter of
encouragement. She needs to know how much we support her.
Please mail your letters to:
Diane Wilson
c/o Krishnaveni Gundu
9717 Cypresswood
Dr. #102
Houston,
TX 77070
USA