Demonstrations in USA in Solidarity with Ecuador in Chevron Case

Washington, Apr 22 (Prensa Latina) The hearings of the arbitration promoted by Chevron against Ecuador begin a new stage today, amid demonstrations in solidarity with the South American country by social activists and environmentalist groups.

The aforementioned company began a new proceeding against the Ecuadorian State for supposed violations of the Bilateral Investment Protection Treaty, signed with the United States.

Hundreds of Ecuadorians and citizens from other nations in the hemisphere carried out a peaceful demonstration in a central area in the capital, with signs demanding justice to Ecuador and to stop the attacks by the oil company.

Guatemalan leader, 1992 Nobel Peace Price winner Rigoberta Menchu is supporting here the Ecuadorian Government and indigenous communities affected, in their campaign for the legal dispute for more than two decades, with the oil company Chevron in Washington, where the deliberations about the case began this week.

The prominent activist spoke in a forum about transnational companies and human rights at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington.

The Ecuadorian activists will continue defending their cause with a tent permanently set up in front of the World Bank here, maintaining it until the hearings finish on May 8.