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Contact: César Luna or
Traci Griggs - EHC (619)
235-0281
Date: October 19, 1998
MEDIA ADVISORY
U.S./Mexico Groups Announce Filing of
Citizen Petition:
Challenge NAFTA Commission to Take Action
to Clean up
Maquiladora Turned Toxic Dump
What:
First binational citizen petition in
major U.S./Mexico trade gateway will be
filed with the Commission for
Environmental Cooperation, NAFTA’s main
institution to ensure Party’s to the
treaty are enforcing their environmental
laws. The petition asserts that both the
United States and Mexico share
responsibility for ensuring the clean up
of this U.S.-owned maquiladora that is
threatening public health and the
environment and demand that corrective
action be immediate.
Who:
Environmental Health Coalition, San
Diego, CA non-profit organization
Comité Ciudadano Pro Restauración del
Cañón del Padre, Tijuana, Baja
California, Mexico non-profit organization
When:
Wednesday, October 21, 1998 at 12:00
p.m.
Where:
Metales Y Derivados, Tijuana, Baja
California, Mexico
(map to follow)
Media Interest:
First citizen petition filed from San
Diego/Tijuana region
First citizen petition to address
U.S./Mexico border environmental problems
Petition challenges effectiveness of
NAFTA environmental side agreement
Photo Opportunity:
The Metales y Derivados site offers a
vivid portrayal of the hidden reality of
international trade and its impact on
public health and the environment. The
approximately 5-acre site is littered with
lead contaminated debris and other
hazardous waste from the battery recycling
and lead smelting operations. Lead slag
oozes out of corroded drums; battery
remnants spill out of barrels; and toxic
waste pours out of ripped and tattered
bags. Colonia Chilpancingo, the village
most threatened, can be seen just a few
feet from Metales y Derivados.
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