Crude Reflections 2
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Chevron (formerly Texaco) gather at the site of the oil giant’s first well in the Amazon rainforest outside the town of Lago Agrio to demand “Justice Now!”
Secoya and Cofan leaders march to the Superior Court of Justice in Lago Agrio at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) on October 21, 2003.
Superior Court Judge Alberto Guerra speaks to a packed courtroom on the first day of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in Lago Agrio.
Secoya indigenous leader Humberto Piaguaje (C) is joined by Kichwa leader Guillermo Grefa (L) as he speaks to the press and supporters after emerging from Chevron’s (formerly Texaco) annual shareholders meeting in San Ramon, California in 2007.
Huaorani women march to the Superior Court of Justice in Lago Agrio at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in October 2003.
Pablo Fajardo (L), lead Ecuadoran attorney on the Chevron case, speaks with Cofan indigenous leader Emergildo Criollo at an oil facility in the Guanta oil fields. The plant was built by Texaco (now Chevron) on Cofan ancestral territory.
Indigenous leaders are joined by settlers, journalists and other interested parties on the first day of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in Lago Agrio on October 21, 2003.
Demonstrators march to the Superior Court of Justice in Lago Agrio at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) on October 21, 2003.
Chevron Vice-President Ricardo Reis Veiga talks to the press in the Superior Court of Justice in Lago Agrio on the first day of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco).
As Chevron technical expert John Connors (C) looks on, technicians in haz mat suits check a soil sample for evidence of crude oil during judicial inspections at an old Texaco well site near the town of Sacha.
A mother and son are joined by oil workers as they walk on a road covered with crude oil outside the town of Shushufindi.
With an oil flare burning in the background, actress and environmental activist Daryl Hannah looks at her hand dripping with crude oil from a waste pit left by Texaco in the Guanta oil fields.
Attorney for the plaintiffs Steven Donziger speaks to a group of Huaorani women at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in Lago Agrio.
Ecuadorian Special Forces wear riot gear as they stand between demonstrators and the entrance to the courthouse in Lago Agrio at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco).
Left to right/De izquierda a derecha: Guillermo Grefa (Kichwa); Luis Yanza (Amazon Defense Front/Frente de Defensa de la Amazonía); Humberto Piaguaje (Secoya); Emergildo Criollo (Cofán); Robinson Yumbo (Cofán).
Indigenous peoples and supporters including Ecuadorian Vice-President Lenin Moreno spell out “Live Yasuni” in the Yasuni National Park as they launch the campaign to save the park from oil development.
A canoe travels down the Bobonaza River through the Kichwa community of Sarayaku.
Kichwa youth Braulio Ikiami, 14, with his face painted to resemble a boa constrictor outside his home in Sarayaku.
Kichwa boys read a school book at their home in Sarayaku with light provided by a newly installed solar power system.
Bolivar Shiwango (right) shows 11-year-old Rasu how to weave a basket during an artisan class at Rasu’s school in Sarayaku. The Kichwa teach their children basket weaving, ceramic making and other artisan skills to make sure their cultural traditions continue into the future.
Kichwa shaman Sabino Gualinga in Sarayaku.
Aerial view of the Bobonaza River and surrounding rainforest near the Kichwa village of Sarayaku in the southern Amazon.
Jatuncocha Lagoon in Yasuni National Park.
Felipe Tentets, elected leader of the Achuar village of Sharamentza.
Gas is burned off at a separation station built by Texaco outside the town of Shushufindi.
Rainforest in Yasuni National Park. Nearly as many species of trees are found in 2.5 acres of the Yasuni rainforest as the total number of tree species found in the United States and Canada combined.
Achuar boy in Tsunkintsa in the southern Amazon.
A member of the Ecuadorian Special Forces keeps an eye on Huaorani women before the start of a march against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in Lago Agrio.
A Secoya elder stands in front of a banner reading “Justice” during a demonstration at the start of the trial against Chevron (formerly Texaco) in Lago Agrio.
A view of the Pastaza River from Sharamentza with the Sangay volcano in the background. The eastern slope of the volcano is the beginning of the Amazon basin.