For Immediate Release: Feb. 15, 2008
The Big Three Oil Boycott to End the War, against ExxonMobil, Shell and BP, will be taken to the street on Saturday, February 23 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas by the Dallas Peace Center and Consumers for Peace.org as part of a two-day international action with oil workers in Iraq and demonstrators in England, Indiana and Washington, DC.
“We are thrilled to act in Dallas, Texas home to ExxonMobil in solidarity with the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions as they protest in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq against the occupation and the attempt by Big Oil to ram an oil law through the Iraqi parliament that will harm the Iraqi people,” said Hadi Jawad, of the Dallas Peace Center. “It is very moving to be part of an action that involves thousands of people who want to see Iraq liberated from the tyranny of military occupation and Big Oil.”
The Dallas/Fort Worth organizers will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. at Preston Road and Royal Lane in Dallas and then hold a rally at a ExxonMobil station at that location and at stations at Jim Miller Rd and I-30 in East Dallas. The protestors, some dressed as pirates, will offer passers by boycott cards giving guidance on alternatives to the three boycotted gasoline brands. The demonstrations are endorsed by Code Pink of Greater Dallas.
Demonstrations in England, organized by Hands Off Iraqi Oil, will be held in London, and 10 other locations, including Birmingham and Manchester. Demonstrators will also gather on the 23rd at ExxonMobil, Shell and BP stations in Highland, Indiana.
The Texas/Iraq/London/Indiana actions will follow by one day a noon march on the Washington, DC office of ExxonMobil sponsored by Oil Change International, U.S. Labor Against the War, No War No Warming, Code Pink, Voters for Peace, AfterDowningStreet and Grassroots America.
“Oil companies are getting 20-30% more for their oil because of decreased Iraqi oil production and the volatility in world oil markets because of the war,” said Mr. Jawad. ‘It is unconscionable that they be allowed to laugh all the way to the bank as the blood of thousands colors the desert sands of Iraq.”
“ExxonMobil, Shell and BP have immense power to stop the war,” said Nick Mottern, of Consumers for Peace, “ Their war profits, that we estimate at $80 billion, must be given to those who have suffered most from the war: the families of Iraqi, American and other coalition war dead and wounded. We call on the Big Three to do the right thing.”
Contact: Hadi Jawad, Dallas Peace Center (214) 392-2939
Nick Mottern, ConsumersforPeace.org (914) 806-6179
