350.org's
Summer Heat series of 11 climate actions across the country concluded August 3rd with
Summer Heat Richmond. It turned out to be the largest Environmental Justice (EJ) rally (2800 attended according to Richmond PD) in that traditionally Chevron-refinery-dominated town to date. Over 200 protesters underlined the importance of the message, risking their freedom by being arrested in civil disobedience. While Richmond groups such as
APEN and
Communities for a Better Environment have been battling Chevron's influence and electorial money for three decades, this action marked the first time a coalition of Bay Area climate, labor, faith and national organizations participated.
The event was diaried on DK by dturbull, showed up in media from San Jose Mercury News to Rachel Maddow - all the press and photo & video are referenced here on 350 Bay Area's website.
Here is a story of that day of commemoration, resistance, celebration and collaboration in pictures by various photographers, pro and amateur...
PREPARATION
A thousand sacrificial attendees arrive in one truck to brighten our action. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
A full page ad that morning in the SF Chronicle by the Ecuadorian government against Chevron is further inspiration to the event crew. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Instructors Matt and David for the NVCD. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Attending morning training for the Non-Violent Civil Disobedience. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
THE RALLY AT RICHMOND BART
We gathered at the pedestrian mall at the entrance tothe Richmond BART station. Photo by Shadia Fayne Wood | Project Survival Media
Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and Andres Soto (Communities for a Better Environment) address the crowd. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Sunflower, quite at home. Photo by Ian Slattery
A smile says it all - with sunflowers. Photo by Ian Slattery
THE MARCH
The march began in central Richmond on McDonald filling one side of the street. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Someone gets a flower they weren't expecting. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Protesters with character. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Protesters on foot. Police burning gasoline, ensuring we stayed within the lines. Photo by Peter Cochrane
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Photo by Shadia Fayne Wood | Project Survival Media
Pipelines are everywhere. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
THE RALLY AT THE CHEVRON REFINERY GATE
Chevron always hides its sign when there is a protest, plywood being Standard Operating Procedure for when it gets hot for its 'Public Relations'. Photo by Rand Wrobel
So, we posted a more appropriate sign. Photo by Rand Wrobel
The view from in front of the gate toward the stage. Photo by Ian Slattery
The police were ready for anything during the entire rally. The sunflowers were patient also. Photo By Rand Wrobel
The Police were still ready. Photo by Peter Cochrane
Mr. 350, Bill McKibben with his wife address the protesters just before marching to the gate. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
The view from the stage. Photo By Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
David, announcing the NVCD. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
THE ARRESTS
The Leaders of the Non-Violent Civil Disobedience, including Bill McKibben advance to the refinery gate. Photo By Peter Cochrane
The arrest scene. Calm energetic people power. Photo by Rand Wrobel
The leaders of the NVCD await arrest. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
The view FROM the refinery gate. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
90 year old Ellen Small awaits arrest. Some waited for hours. (Sunflower not actually in her face) Photo by Peter Cochrane
Ellen Small's arrest. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Ellen Small's grandson on her arrest. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Protesting, and waiting for arrest. Photo By Rand Wrobel
Arrest is a form of free speech. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
THE MURAL AND ART
The street performance group "Underneath Us" created this homeage to the impact of extreme oil on, well, everything. Photo by Rand Wrobel
Ever notice how oils tends to get onto everything? Underneath Us demonstrates... Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
...everything. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
Painting the mural. Photo by Eric Slomanson / slomophotos.com
A view of the large sunflower from the bottom of the stalk, grown right on the asphalt. Photo by Rand Wrobel
The Sunflower mural, still fresh while only the arrests remain (which took hours)... Photo By Rand Wrobel
Da entire Mural. Photo By Rand Wrobel