“It was always our intention to set a precedent.”
Richmond refinery communities made the front page of the internet this week with a Politico feature on our Polluters Pay campaign and the local organizing that made it possible. Read that article here.
Building on decades of organizing against Chevron, this year our communities came together behind a new idea: a #PollutersPay tax that would make big polluters pay for the damage they’ve caused.
By forcing the oil giant to offer up $550 million with the threat of losing at the ballot box, working families made history here in California.
We got creative, and Chevron got scared — to the tune of $550 million. Together with our long-time partners Communities for a Better Environment and the city-workers’ union, SEIU 1021, our coalition fought and won a model for other refinery communities.
APEN youth members and Senior Youth Richmond Organizer Katherine Lee at a #PollutersPay rally. Photo by Denny Khamphanthong.
Let’s be clear: we wanted to go all the way to November. We know you were ready to knock doors, join us at phone banks, and get out the vote for the Polluters Pay campaign.
We wish we could have gone to the ballot, but we’re clear: refinery communities can take on multi-billion dollar corporations with huge results. If Richmond can do it, we know others can, as well.
From here, our Richmond team is organizing to ensure that Chevron’s millions actually invest in priorities for working families – like essential services and a fund to clean up Chevron’s toxic mess.
Can you take two actions today to amplify our work?
