Home > Programs
> Democracy
Now! > Wed., Mar. 30, 2005
Democracy Now!
ATTN: ALL STATIONS
From: Democracy Now!
Re: Rundown 3-30-05
PRSS Channel: A67.7
Family of Truckdriver Killed in Iraq Sues Halliburton For
Wrongful Death
Exclusive: Halliburton Employee Says He Was Gang-Beaten By
Co-Workers at Baghdad Airport
Famed Attorney Johnnie Cochran, 67, Dies
Family of Truckdriver Killed in Iraq Sues Halliburton
For Wrongful Death
In the first of what are expected to be several lawsuits,
the family of Tony Johnson blames Halliburton for his death
a year ago in Iraq. Halliburton is the primary contractor
providing logistical support to the military in Iraq.
The mother and daughter of an American truck driver killed
in Iraq filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against Halliburton,
the primary contractor providing logistical support to the
military in Iraq. The two women are seeking redress for the
wrongful death of Tony Johnson, a truck driver from Riverside,
California, who was killed almost one year ago near Baghdad
International Airport. This is the first of what are expected
to be several lawsuits by truck drivers and their families
against the Houston-based company. Johnson was one of 19 truck
drivers carrying fuel for the United States military from
Camp Anaconda to the airport. The convoy drove straight into
a major gun battle on April 9, 2004, on what has become the
world's most dangerous highway. Two hours later six drivers
had died, one was kidnapped and one had disappeared. Only
11 made it to their destination alive that day - the first
anniversary of the United States defeat of Saddam Hussein's
regime in Iraq. We are joined on the phone by Pratap Chatterjee
- the Executive Director of CorpWatch.org and author of the
book "Iraq Inc.: A Profitable Occupation."
- Pratap Chatterjee, Executive Director of CorpWatch.org
and author of the book "Iraq Inc.: A Profitable Occupation."
Exclusive: Halliburton Employee Says He Was Gang-Beaten
By Co-Workers at Baghdad Airport
The father of an employee of Halliburton subsidiary KBR
in Iraq is alleging that his son was gang-beaten by a group
of fellow employees, known as the "Red Neck Mafia,"
at the Baghdad airport where he works as a security coordinator
for KBR. We speak with Eli Chavez, the father of KBR employee
Ronald Chavez.
The father of an employee of Halliburton subsidiary Kellog,
Brown and Root in Iraq is alleging that his son was gang-beaten
by a group of fellow employees at the Baghdad airport where
he works as a security coordinator for KBR. Yesterday, the
father of Ron Chavez-who is from right here in Houston, Texas-sent
a letter to the US Justice Department. It reads:
"My son Ronald Lee Chavez an employee of Halliburton
in Iraq was severely beaten by peer Halliburton employees.
These employees are known in Iraq as the Leesville, LA "Red
Neck Mafia".
Ronald was med-evaced to Camp Anaconda where he is in
a US Military Hospital and remains there. According to my
daughter in law Patti, Ronald is to be transferred to a
military hospital in Germany because of Atria Fibrillation
to his heart due to the severe beating. What I understand,
Halliburton has advised Patti, that Ronald needs a Passport
to get medical treatment at a Military Hospital in Germany.
While Ronald was in Albuquerque on R & R, he advised
me that his Boss did not like him because Ronald is Hispanic;
and that the "Red Neck Mafia" ran the operation
for Halliburton at Baghdad Airport. Ronald further advised
me that he had reported by Memorandum to higher authority
within the Halliburton Chain of Command the vulnerabilities
at Baghdad Airport regarding to terrorist attacks. Ronald
further stated that higher authority was upset at his recommendations.
According to Patti, Halliburton advised her that they
had sent 3 of the "Redneck Mafia" members back
to the USA; and that Halliburton was not going to file criminal
charges against them. They further
It is unclear who gave the order to dispatch Ronald to
the location and/or who called for medical assistance. According
to Patti, Ronald is waiting for a military aircraft to transfer
him to Germany for treatment. Ronald is presently in ICU
in serious condition."
That is a letter written to the US Justice Department yesterday
by Eli Chavez, the father of Ron Chavez. His father says he
plans to file a criminal complaint against anyone involved
in his son"s beating. Eli Chavez joins us here in our
Texas studio.
- Eli Chavez, the father of Ron Chavez. He is also a decorated
veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency for his work
in Laos and the Philippines. He is also a former Drug Enforcement
Agency Special Agent as well as a veteran of the 82nd Airborne
Division. Last year, he ran for Congress in the state of
New Mexico.
Famed Attorney Johnnie Cochran, 67, Dies
Best known for representing O.J. Simpson, Cochran for years
represented victims of police brutality and government oppression.
In 1997 he won the freedom of Black Panther leader Geronimo
ji Jaga Pratt who spent 27 years in jail for a crime he did
not commit. [includes rush
transcript]
One of the best known lawyers in the United States has passed
away. Johnnie Cochran died of a brain tumor at his home in
Los Angeles.
He was 67. He is perhaps best-known for his work on the defense
of O.J. Simpson during a murder trial in which Cochran uttered
the famous quote "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
His family released a statement that said "Certainly,
Johnnie's career will be noted as one marked by "celebrity"
cases and clientele. But he and his family were most proud
of the work he did on behalf of those in the community. As
Johnnie always said, "an injustice anywhere is a threat
to justice everywhere." It was his rallying cry as he
worked to right many wrongs, and as he provided a voice to
those who needed to be heard. He was deeply committed to helping
and inspiring others- especially young people. His extraordinary
law career will undoubtedly stand the test of time. But it
was his devotion to his fellow human beings that will remain
as his true legacy."
Over the years, Cochran represented football great Jim Brown
on rape and assault charges, actor Todd Bridges on attempted
murder charges, rapper Tupac Shakur on a weapons charge and
rapper Snoop Dogg on a murder charge. But the moment he called
"the happiest day of my life" practicing law came
in 1997 when his client, the former Black Panther leader Geronimo
ji Jaga Pratt, who spent 27 years in prison for a murder he
didn't commit. We are joined now on the phone by California
attorney Stuart Hanlon. He worked for 25 years with Johnnie
Cochran on the case of Black Panther leader Geronimo Pratt.
- Johnnie Cochran, speaking on Democracy Now! on October
5, 2000 about the Geronimo Pratt case.
- Stuart Hanlon, California-based attorney. He worked for
25 years with Johnnie Cochran on the case of Black Panther
leader Geronimo Pratt.
For a copy of today’s program, call 1 (800) 881 2359.
Our website is www.democracynow.org.
Our email address is mail@democracynow.org.
Democracy Now! is produced by Mike Burke, Sharif Abdel Kouddous,
Ana Nogueira, Elizabeth Press, Jeremy Scahill and Parvez Sharma.
Mike Di Filippo is our engineer.
Thanks also to Uri Galed, Angela Alston, Orlando Richards,
Simba Russeau, Johnny Sender, Rich Kim, Joe Murgio, John Randolph,
Chris Zucker, Karen Ranucci, Denis Moynihan, Eric Rweyemamu,
Jenny Filipazzo and Isis Phillips.
|
Listen
to the show
Help
whole
show
