Shell Neighbors from Globe to Gather in Port Arthur, Texas to Share Strategies and Express Solidarity for Justice and Accountability
See Bush Administration's Pro-Polluter Policies in Action and Real People and their Suffering from Clean Air Rollbacks!

MEDIA BRIEFING, TOXIC TOUR, LATEST AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT, COMMUNITY EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 ­ 11 AM ­ 4 PM

(Port Arthur, TX) Neighbors of Shell refineries and chemical plants from across the globe will gather in Port Arthur, Texas on Wednesday, September 24, 2003, hosted by the Community In-power and Development Association (CIDA) and the National Refinery Reform Campaign (RRC). The Global Shell Fenceline Alliance includes representatives of communities in South Africa, Louisiana, Texas, Nigeria, the Philippines, and England.

A delegation of the alliance became Shell shareholders and traveled to the annual meeting in London in April 2003, to complain directly to Shell's top management about environmental and health problems caused by the company's operations. (For details see: www.shellfacts.com and www.refineryreform.org).

Also highlighted will be the devastating impacts of the Bush Administration's Pro-Polluter policies, such as the rollback of the Clean Air Act, and related efforts as they have played out in the president's own backyard. Port Arthur has become the national symbol for the Bush and industry agenda and been featured in Mother Jones, LA Times, Houston Chronicle, NPR and the Guardian in London.

Featured events will be held at St. John's Baptist Church at 801 Grannis at 8th Street in Port Arthur, TX:

• 11:00 AM - Media briefing detailing Shell's environmental abuses in Africa, Asia and the United States by affected residents from across the globe. Solidarity efforts by the alliance in support of the CIDA campaign for clean air and health clinics in Port Arthur, TX. Latest updates on efforts to block the nomination of Governor Leavitt as new EPA Administrator in view of continued abuse of the nation's environmental laws by the Bush Administration.
• 1:00 PM ­ 2:30 PM: Toxic Tour of the historic African American community of the Westside of Port Arthur and the polluting industries that surround it. Opportunities to interview real people and see their suffering as a result of out of control industries and failed state and federal agencies.
• 3:00 PM: Briefing on the lawsuit against Port Arthur industry by attorneys.
• 4:00 PM: Demonstration of the latest high tech real time air monitoring equipment

Excellent Visuals: Huge polluting refineries towering over neighborhoods, playgrounds and schools in the shadow of toxic plants, people on breathing machines and newborn babies with asthma, abandoned homes and businesses due to toxic blight and horrific odors.