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Chevron Blockade

by tristan
Pretty good protest and lockdown in Richmond at Chevron.
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In Richmond, CA we protested the war in Iraq (etc.), Environmental Racism and Global Warming by blockading the Chevron oil refinery. We gathered at noon for speakers then marched to the refinery. Chevron had been shut down all day in anticipation of our protest. We marched to one of the main gates and people laid out lock down tubes and barrels and up to 50 people locked themselves down. Bands played, there was street theater and food. people danced and denounced the war and Chevron. The police had the entrance blocked with barricades and many police but said that they would not arrest people. After many hours the lockdown was ended. people held a circle gathering then quickly moved the barricades and went toward Chevron. Police were startled but formed a line and people sat down. Other people took down the rest of the barricade and put it out in the intersection to keep the street closed. People sat in front of the police for several more hours. Eventually the police arrested 25 people. We were then forced onto the sidewalk with quite reduced numbers. We held a quick rally and headed home.
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by tristan
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Street theater in front of toxic Chevron.
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by tristan
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Lockdown with barrels and tubes.
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by tristan
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All of Chevron's sign had been covered up to stop damage or make it less photogenic for our protest.
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by tristan
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The brass liberation orquestra played.
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by tristan
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The lockdown and others in front of police barricade.
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by tristan
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hanging a banner from a light pole.
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by tristan
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Protesters past the police barricade sit down to be arrested.
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by tristan
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Waiting for arrest.
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by tristan
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Police barricades remained where the protesters had left them, rearranged.
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by tristan
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many more police arrive.
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by tristan
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A picket line is set up in support of the sitting people.
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by tristan
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Singing some fun songs.
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by tristan
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The police line is reinforced with CHP officers.
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by tristan
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The police chief gives an order to disperse.
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by tristan
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Police begin to arrest those still sitting.
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by tristan
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Arrestees are loaded into trucks.
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by tristan
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This officer has a rubber bullet gun (in his hands), a tear gas gun (on his shoulder), a pistol (on his hip) and a Tazer (on his other hip not seen in the photo). Yet he onle seems to have two arms?
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by tristan
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The closing comments before we go home.
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by tristan
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A Richmond resident and longtime organizer against the refinery gives the last word.
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Mario
Mon, Mar 17, 2008 2:50PM
Stan
Mon, Mar 17, 2008 10:39AM
quetzy
Sun, Mar 16, 2008 6:02PM
crit
Sun, Mar 16, 2008 11:08AM
Mario
Sun, Mar 16, 2008 9:59AM
Leni
Sun, Mar 16, 2008 9:00AM
overkill
Sat, Mar 15, 2008 11:33PM
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