Richmond, California residents have long battled with the massive oil company Chevron which maintains a large refinery on the city's western edge. Considering the enormous profits made by the corporate giant — a record year-end profit of $26.9 billion in 2011 — residents accuse the company of short-changing the city while it continues to spill dangerous pollution into the air that causes high rates of respiratory issues in the area, especially amongst children. On August 6th, a fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond sent huge plumes of smoke into the air and hundreds of residents to local hospitals. Richmond residents and those in the East Bay hills nearby were told to not only close their doors and windows that night but to tape them shut to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.

On August 7th, Urban Tilth, a Richmond resident-run and operated urban Agriculture non-profit that runs 11 different school and community gardens in Richmond, held a press conference and protest at the Richmond Civic Center. The event was called to hold Chevron accountable for the release of a myriad of dangerous contaminants into the air, as well as the potential loss of thousands of pounds of food grown by local school children and residents, intended to help alleviate problems of food scarcity. Later the same evening, Chevron itself, to appease area residents, held what it billed as a community town hall. Hundreds of Richmond residents showed up to protest Chevron's callous attitude toward the community. Produce that was likely ruined due to the fire was dumped on the stage where Chevron representatives sat.

Chevron-hosted Town Hall Mtg in Richmond | Richmond Residents Hold Chevron Responsible for Fire, Toxic Release, & Food Contamination | Chevron Rage - Richmond Community Demands Justice & Some Want Public Control Of Chevron

Previous Coverage: Direct Action and Rally at Chevron Richmond Refinery || Iraqi Oil Workers Tell Chevron "Hands Off Iraq" || Nigerian Direct Action Activists Put Chevron on Trial || Chevron Shareholders Protest || Mobilization: Chevron Killing People and the Planet for Profit || 31 Arrested in Protest at Chevron Headquarters in San Ramon