BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:www.indybay.org
PRODID:-//indybay/ical// v1.0//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:Indybay-18708015
SEQUENCE:18799717
CREATED:20120223T204000Z
DESCRIPTION:\n\nFilm evenings begin with potluck refreshments & social hour at  6:30 
 pm,\nfollowed by the film at  7:30 pm, followed by a discussion after the 
 film.\n\nSHELTER IN PLACE\nby Zed Nelson\n\nIt is the vast, sprawling 
 complexes of oil refineries and petrochemical plants that help make the 
 Texan economy one of the largest in the world.  But does the wealth come at 
 too high a price to local residents?  This alarming film is an intimate 
 portrait of a community battling not only the health effects of 
 environmental pollution, but the corporate powers that deny their 
 responsibility.  As the refineries release millions of tons of toxins into 
 the air each year, the townspeople, typically poor and powerless to 
 protest, are periodically advised to “shelter in place” — stay home, 
 shut off all ventilation systems, and tape up their windows and 
 doors.\n\nThe community portrayed in this shocking documentary are the Port 
 Arthur, Texas, communities that live in the polluted dark shadow of the 
 Texan petro-chemical industry and are therefore all too familiar with 
 sheltering in place.  Zed Nelson documents the industry emissions and the 
 social conditions that are a direct result of the political and big 
 business priorities of a wealthy, fervently pro-industry Republican state.  
 Oil refineries and petro-chemical plants help make the Texan economy one of 
 the richest in the country.  Every year Texas industry is permitted by law 
 to emit millions of tons of toxic pollutants into the air including 
 benzene, butadiene, hydrogen sulphide, and nitrogen oxide.  Texas 
 refineries are also allowed by law to release thousands of tons of 
 additional toxic pollutants in “upsets” or unscheduled emissions every 
 year  — and there can be over 13,000 of these purportedly “unusual” 
 instances.\n\nThe petro-chemical industries treat the residents of Port 
 Arthur as if they are expendable, occasionally granting them small payoffs 
 of a couple hundred bucks so they will not file future health claims 
 against the petro-chemical plants.  The residents are almost all 
 African-American.  They are all poor and under-educated.  They do not have 
 any political influence.  They have no means to fight the Goliath Texas 
 refineries.  Nevertheless, they are battling against environmental 
 pollution and the evil Behemoth of corporate power.  They need those small 
 paychecks to survive;  if they had more money, they would probably move 
 away.  If you have ever smelled Port Arthur (especially during the 
 summertime) you would never choose to live there.  There is a reason why 
 some people refer to this region as the armpit of Texas — it is 
 unbearably hot, humid, and rank.  Zed Nelson allows the Port Arthur 
 residents ample time to ruminate about their experiences living under the 
 cloud of the refineries.\n\nWheelchair accessible around the corner at  411 
  28th  Street\n\n$5 donations are accepted\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/02/23/18708015.php
SUMMARY:Shelter in Place
LOCATION:Humanist Hall\n390  27th  Street\nuptown Oakland, between Telegraph and 
 Broadway\nhttp://www.HumanistHall.org
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/02/23/18708015.php
DTSTART:20120315T023000Z
DTEND:20120315T043000Z
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR