Labor, Environment, and Anti-War Groups Demonstrate Against Iraqi Oil Law

Oil Change International, U.S. Labor Against the War, and Iraq Veterans Against the War responded to the call by Iraqi Unions to oppose a U.S.-backed oil law with a press release and demonstration march. Oil barrels were rolled down the street to the White House to protest a law being considered by the Iraqi Parliament that would give foreign corporations extensive access to undiscovered Iraqi oil reserves. Press releases indicated that Iraq holds 10% of the world’s proven oil resources and could hold much more in undiscovered deposits. The Iraq Federation of Oil Unions opposes the law as a breach of Iraqi sovereignty. This demonstration was intended to signify solidarity with similar protests by Iraqi unions against the law. Spokespersons from the participating activist groups claimed that the foreign corporations would have no obligation to hire Iraqi workers, often opting instead to import labor from south Asia. They also cited former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who reportedly stated his opinion that the war in Iraq was largely motivated by oil.

The venue for the preceding press release was changed last minute and was held in the headquarters of Oil Change International rather than those of ExxonMobil as previously intended. The march was designed to demonstrate the link between the oil industry and the government by rolling the barrels from ExxonMobil to the White House.