Bhopal40 US Tour: U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Councilmember Santiago-Romero Join Bhopal Survivors Call to Dow for Justice

Press Release
Friday, September 6, 2024

DETROIT – Friday, survivors of a toxic chemical release that killed tens of thousands in Bhopal, India held a press conference where congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Detroit councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero amplified the survivors’ call for justice from Dow Chemical. Clear the Air organized the event with residents of one of Michigan’s most polluted zip codes, 48217.

Advocates cited Dow because it bought Union Carbide, the company that owned the Bhopal facility at the time of the disaster. Both corporations refused to pay to clean up chemical contamination at site. Clear the Air hosted the event at Southwestern Church of God on Fort Street. Bhopal Survivors are on a nationwide tour on the 40th anniversary of the world’s worst industrial accident. The CEO at the time got charged with culpable homicide and grievous assault, but was never extradited to India to face charges.

“A company driven by corporate greed that couldn’t care less about the local communities was so negligent that it caused one of the worst chemical disasters in history. Bhopal survivors are still sick and struggling as they wait for justice,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “Dow Chemical knowingly took responsibility for this disaster when it bought the company, Union Carbide, yet still refuses to adequately compensate the survivors. Dow must pay what’s owed to the people of Bhopal for the countless deaths and environmental destruction it profited from when it bought the corporation that caused this tragedy.”

Bhopal Survivors’ demands for corporate polluters to pay struck a chord with residents of Southwest Detroit where about 150 polluting industries are located including Marathon Oil Refinery whose workers are currently on strike citing safety concerns. Advocates also noted the role of environmental racism here and abroad.

“It’s crucial to cite the need for environmental justice in the Detroit area and Bhopal,” said Theresa Landrum of Clear the Air. “Both places are examples of people of color being put at greater risk of death and disease from toxins released into the environment. Here the health problems are severe, but not as dramatic and there are often a variety of polluters. In the case of Bhopal, it was a horrific and dramatic death toll and it’s a single corporation, Dow, that needs to pay the survivors.

“Bhopal has been called the Hiroshima of chemical accidents. The initial toxic release that killed tens of thousands is infamous, but many don’t know that poisons of Union Carbide and Dow Chemical continue to kill, injure and cause birth defects in children till this day, said Bati Bai, survivor of the Bhopal Disaster and affected by groundwater contamination. There are 200,000 people living near the site whose water is contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. This is in addition to 25,000 deaths and thousands who suffer cancer and kidney failure. This year is the 40th anniversary of a tragedy that is still damaging and shortening people’s lives and we need everyone to call on Dow and demand justice.”

A FaceBook post of the press conference is the Engage Michigan FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=502766982485991

Learn more about the Survivors US Tour here.

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