Hundreds of asbestos-related deaths not enough to convict W.R. Grace officials

On May 8, residents of Libby, Mont., endured yet another affront to working people in the United States.

W.R. Grace executive Jack Wolter leaves court after his acquital. Wolter profited from vermiculite mining that left Libby, Mont., residents suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

On that date, W.R. Grace & Co. officials were acquitted on several charges related to violations of federal environmental laws with fatal consequences. The long, poorly managed government case against the mining company came to a close with the executives celebrating their escape from any blame.

For decades, W.R. Grace operated a vermiculite mine in the town of Libby, employing a number of local workers and participating in the construction of many local projects. The vermiculite, used in home insulation, contained asbestos—a mineral known to cause cancer and a variety of lung diseases.

Mine workers and local residents alike have suffered as a result. The town of Libby has seen some 225 asbestos-related deaths since the mine opened, with thousands of other residents developing lung disease. Because of the asbestos in W.R. Grace materials used in school facilities, children were struck with mesothelioma—usually seen as an industrial illness.

The people of Libby rightfully hold the company responsible for the great harm brought upon them. Libby resident Gayla Benefield asked, “How can you give someone restitution when you’ve taken their life?”

Despite the town’s vigorous call for justice, the government took a soft approach to prosecuting W.R. Grace officials. The charges related to conspiracy to violate environmental laws rather than the actual killing of local citizens. District Court Judge Donald Molloy played his part by not allowing the jury to hear critical evidence against W.R. Grace executives, throwing out all but seven of the prosecution’s 53 exhibits.

“When you have a judge like Molloy, you know where the case is going—right down the toilet, just like it did,” said Libby resident Dale Herreid. (The Western News, May 11)

This conciliatory behavior from the justice system and the government should hardly come as a surprise to the U.S. working class. The political and judicial system in the United States both operate in the interests of the big banks and corporations, even when the evidence against them is clear.

The entire justice system is geared toward protecting the wealth of corporations like W.R. Grace. Their right to profits is held higher than our right to life. The justice system under capitalism is just that: justice for the capitalists only. For workers, justice is not won in the courtrooms but in the streets, through organized, militant struggle.