Over the past semester, Justice for Bhopal has begun targeting the University for its close associations with Dow Chemical. Read on to find out more!

The First Annual "Run for Your Life!" (click here for photos, here for the news advisory, here for the ad!)

On April 6, 2003, approximately 25 University students, faculty, and community members ran for their lives in a "A 3K Race for Human Rights, Corporate Decency, and the 500,000 Victims of the Bhopal Disaster." The race was designed to dramatize and recreate the Bhopal disaster here at the University of Michigan in the hopes of highlighting Dow's ongoing liability for the tragedy and its association with the University of Michigan. Participants were asked to sign away their rights by a "Dow representative" sporting a Pinocchio nose. The Dow rep spoke grandly about Dow's discussions with survivors and attempts to develop a philanthropic strategy for Bhopal, but the runners weren't buying it. Instead they signed allegations of liability, charging the company with ignoring its clear legal responsibilities in Bhopal.

The race began with a dry ice "gas leak" outside of the Dow Chemistry Laboratories on Central Campus. Participants began to cough and soon they fled, chased by a resolute Grim Reaper sporting a nasty scythe. Before the runners reached the vicinity of the University Hospitals, more than 40% had been culled by the Reaper. Death certificates and stickers reading "I DIED: Ask Me How" were distributed to those who were caught; the winners were granted lead and mercury medallions, symbolizing the continuing contamination that even the survivors of the Bhopal disaster continue to face. Water bottles reading "CLEAN WATER--What Bhopal lacks" were distributed to all the participants, who had braved the weather and turned out to run in spite of near-freezing temperatures. The race received coverage in the local section of Monday's Ann Arbor News.

Justice for Bhopal would like to thank the Ann Arbor Brewing Company, the People's Food Co-op, the Wooden Spoon Bookstore, Running Fit and the Tortoise and the Hare for their kindness, their generosity, and their support.

"Disassociation" from Dow (click here for the press release, here for the resolution!)

On March 17th, 2003, a resolution calling for the University to "disassociate" from Dow was passed by the Michigan Student Assembly. The resolution was sponsored by Justice for Bhopal and supported by more than 20 student organizations, 400 petition signers, and several faculty members. Citing Dow's refusal to clean up contamination in Bhopal, India, and its reluctance to properly clean up its dioxin contamination in Midland, the resolution calls on the University to send a public letter to Dow, asking it to clean up the contamination, and to refuse all donations from the company until it begins to do so. This resolution is the first university resolution calling on Dow to clean up Bhopal, but it is unlikely to be the last.

Press coverage can be found at:
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/03/19/3e782af67a2b4?in_archive=1.

Read the Daily's editorial in favor of the resolution at:
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/03/24/3e7f55694cd4c?in_archive=1    



Negotiating with the University Administration

On April 7th, 2003, Steve, Shivani, Ryan and Dan all met with the University administration to discuss MSA's Bhopal resolution and the action that the University should undertake in response. We met with Ed Willis, the University's Dean of Students, and Dr. Gary Krenz, Special Counsel to the President. Although no actions were decided upon, the discussions were fruitful, and we intend to continue our dialogue with the University administration.

Quarantine of the Dow Laboratory (click here for the press release!)

On April 11th, 2003, Dave, Ryan, Shiny, and Nidhip moved to "quarantine" the Dow Laboratory, a building largely funded through Dow's donations. Dressed in white biohazard suits and white face masks, Justice for Bhopal members advised students that entry into the building might be unsafe, given Dow's history of environmental contamination. Other members, dressed as waiters, offered "Bhopal water" to passers-by. Told that the water contained a hazardous mix of chemicals, carcinogens, and heavy metals, students were required to sign a liability waiver in order to sample it. Not surprisingly, most declined!