Media Contact:
COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT: Erika Seiber, eseiber@foe.org
WASHINGTON – On September 28th, members of the International Monitor Formosa Alliance will hold a public briefing on challenges faced by Vietnamese communities whose livelihoods were affected by the environmental disaster caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Plant, a subsidiary of the Formosa Plastics Group. In 2016, the plant released a large amount of toxic chemicals into the sea, causing serious damage to marine life and devastating the lives of over 179,000 residents. To this day, many victims have not been compensated despite the $500 million paid directly to the Vietnamese government by Formosa. Many who have covered the issue, protested or pursued legal action have been unlawfully detained, and nearly 8,000 victims have filed lawsuits.
In a letter sent to President Biden ahead of his visit to Hanoi, activists called on the administration to recognize the lack of restitution for victims of the disaster. The Biden Administration has yet to respond.
WHO: International Monitor Formosa Alliance, Sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors include:
- Representative Lou Correa (D-CA)
- Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
- Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA)
- Representative Katie Porter (D-CA)
WHEN: September 28th, 12pm to 1pm EST
WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2325
SPEAKERS:
- Marco Simons, General Counsel, EarthRights International
- Diane Wilson, Executive Director and Founder, San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper
- Nancy Bui, Founder and Vice President of External Affairs, Justice for Formosa Victims
- Mark Roberts, Entrepreneur
- Dang Dinh Manh, Head of the Dang Dinh Manh Law Office in Vietnam
- Sharon Lavigne, Executive Director and founder, RISE St. James
- Rev. Peter Hung Nguyen, Founder and Director, Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office in Taiwan
- Chu Manh Son, Freelance Journalist
- Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law
