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Fell St. ARCO/ BP Protester Assaulted by Station Owner
A man protesting peacefully against the oil spill in the Gulf and the obstructed bike lane on Fell St. in San Francisco was assaulted Friday evening by the owner of the Arco station at Fell and Divisadero Streets in San Francisco. The Arco station, which sells BP fuel, has been a thorn in the side of San Francisco cyclists for many years, as drivers block the bike lane while lining up for cheap gas.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Hart: (831) 440-9814 joshuanoahhart [at] gmail.com June 21st, 2010
FELL ST. ARCO/ BP PROTESTER ASSAULTED BY STATION OWNER
Peaceful protest against catastrophe in the Gulf interrupted by vigilante violence
A man protesting peacefully against the oil spill in the Gulf and the obstructed bike lane on Fell St. in San Francisco was assaulted Friday evening by the owner of the Arco station at Fell and Divisadero Streets in San Francisco. The Arco station, which sells BP fuel, has been a thorn in the side of San Francisco cyclists for many years, as drivers block the bike lane while lining up for cheap gas.
You Tube footage of the assault emerged today- as the victim of the attack- Jym Dyer- filed assault charges against one Larry George Armstrong- owner of the Arco (BP) gasoline station. Mr. Armstrong took matters into his own hands Friday evening, assaulting protesters who were peacefully assembled last Friday evening to condemn the Gulf oil spill and the blocked bike lane on Fell St., the only level east west bicycle route in San Francisco.
Video just released here: http://bit.ly/c9lW7D
Mr. Armstrong is visible in the video, violently jerking Mr. Dyer’s hand as he pulls the protesters out of the way of a car attempting to purchase BP fuel. The victim, Mr. Dyer has filed assault charges against the owner of the gas station and is awaiting medical assessment of his hand injury. Mr. Armstrong has not only shown himself to be a violent man, he has shown a disregard of his neighbors, has obstructed attempts to improve safety on Fell St., and is continuing to send hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits directly to BP, whose oil leak 5000 feet under the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, continues to devastate the region.
The incident shatters the stereotype of the ‘innocent independent business owner’ and protesters have renewed their calls for the Fell St. station entrances to be shut down. They will return this Friday and attempt to peacefully shut down the dangerous Fell St. station driveways which have resulted in injuries to dozens of cyclists at this location.
Protest organizers suggest that a complete network of safe bicycle lanes can offer people alternatives to driving alone. Here in San Francisco the demand for a comprehensive urban bicycle system is widespread. According to a 2007 Binder poll, 75% of voters in San Francisco support new bike lanes and infrastructure.
Robin Levitt, longtime San Francisco resident, Detroit native and protester says “BP/ARCO cares as much for the suffering of the birds in the Gulf as they do about the person on a bike who risks injury or death having to swerve around cars blocking the bike lane just to get cheap gas at their station. Every Friday we will stand with the pelicans, turtles, and dolphins suffering from the spill, knowing that if we fail to end our oil addiction, we will not be far behind them.”
Where and when: The protesters will return every Friday at 5:30pm at the Arco station on the corner of Fell and Divisadero streets in San Francisco until the “holes are plugged:”until the city of San Francisco closes the dangerous entrances at this Arco station and until BP plugs their oil spewing holes in the Gulf seafloor.
Photo opportunities: protesters holding signs, constructing a pocket park in the entrance to the Arco station, speeches, music and possible arrests.
Contact: Joshua Hart: (831) 440-9814 joshuanoahhart [at] gmail.com June 21st, 2010
FELL ST. ARCO/ BP PROTESTER ASSAULTED BY STATION OWNER
Peaceful protest against catastrophe in the Gulf interrupted by vigilante violence
A man protesting peacefully against the oil spill in the Gulf and the obstructed bike lane on Fell St. in San Francisco was assaulted Friday evening by the owner of the Arco station at Fell and Divisadero Streets in San Francisco. The Arco station, which sells BP fuel, has been a thorn in the side of San Francisco cyclists for many years, as drivers block the bike lane while lining up for cheap gas.
You Tube footage of the assault emerged today- as the victim of the attack- Jym Dyer- filed assault charges against one Larry George Armstrong- owner of the Arco (BP) gasoline station. Mr. Armstrong took matters into his own hands Friday evening, assaulting protesters who were peacefully assembled last Friday evening to condemn the Gulf oil spill and the blocked bike lane on Fell St., the only level east west bicycle route in San Francisco.
Video just released here: http://bit.ly/c9lW7D
Mr. Armstrong is visible in the video, violently jerking Mr. Dyer’s hand as he pulls the protesters out of the way of a car attempting to purchase BP fuel. The victim, Mr. Dyer has filed assault charges against the owner of the gas station and is awaiting medical assessment of his hand injury. Mr. Armstrong has not only shown himself to be a violent man, he has shown a disregard of his neighbors, has obstructed attempts to improve safety on Fell St., and is continuing to send hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits directly to BP, whose oil leak 5000 feet under the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, continues to devastate the region.
The incident shatters the stereotype of the ‘innocent independent business owner’ and protesters have renewed their calls for the Fell St. station entrances to be shut down. They will return this Friday and attempt to peacefully shut down the dangerous Fell St. station driveways which have resulted in injuries to dozens of cyclists at this location.
Protest organizers suggest that a complete network of safe bicycle lanes can offer people alternatives to driving alone. Here in San Francisco the demand for a comprehensive urban bicycle system is widespread. According to a 2007 Binder poll, 75% of voters in San Francisco support new bike lanes and infrastructure.
Robin Levitt, longtime San Francisco resident, Detroit native and protester says “BP/ARCO cares as much for the suffering of the birds in the Gulf as they do about the person on a bike who risks injury or death having to swerve around cars blocking the bike lane just to get cheap gas at their station. Every Friday we will stand with the pelicans, turtles, and dolphins suffering from the spill, knowing that if we fail to end our oil addiction, we will not be far behind them.”
Where and when: The protesters will return every Friday at 5:30pm at the Arco station on the corner of Fell and Divisadero streets in San Francisco until the “holes are plugged:”until the city of San Francisco closes the dangerous entrances at this Arco station and until BP plugs their oil spewing holes in the Gulf seafloor.
Photo opportunities: protesters holding signs, constructing a pocket park in the entrance to the Arco station, speeches, music and possible arrests.
For more information:
http://bit.ly/c9lW7D
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I think it is hard for the human mind to comprehend how long it will take for this to get better. there will probably be tar balls coming on the beach for years, and it will take several presidential administrations for certain species to recover.
My response to BP's negligence would be to shut down ALL BP/Arco stations throughout the U.S. immediately, and then train the former BP/Arco employees (including station franchise owners) to become the clean-up crew. Instead of continued profits from selling oil, the BP/Arco workers would be paid by BP to clean up their mess. This instead of the proposed 20 billion escrow account that will not get to those most in need until it is too late.
To make up for the financial losses, BP/Arco stations, rigs and offices could be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and all proceeds from the sale of BP/Arco assets would then pay for the clean-up and reimburse the fishing workers who will be forced out of their source of income for many years to come.
The recent suicide of Alabama fisherman Allen Kruse is testament to the long term destruction caused by a record of negligence on the part of BP. He felt helpless as he realized that conditions in the Gulf would not improve in time for him to continue on in his career.
"It was confirmed this week that fifty-five-year-old charter boat captain, Allen Kruse committed suicide, presumably a casualty of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that is now in its 65th day, according to CNN.
Prior to the oil spill, the Alabama fisherman had taken people out fishing, however, when fishing grounds closed due to the catastrophe, he was virtually out of work.
Stan Vinson, coroner for Baldwin County, said Kruse was currently working with BP to fight the oil spill, making his boat a “vessel of opportunity,” notes CNN.
“He was on the boat alone, and he had been with the deckhands,” Vinson said. “He was loading the boat this morning just like he normally would. They were supposed to go out… he told the deckhands to go get some ice for that boat, that he was going to pull it around.”
According to Vinson, when the deckhands returned, they found Kruse dead.
Deputy coroner Rod Steade Sr. said Kruse died from a single gunshot wound to the head."
above article found here;
http://www.examiner.com/x-12767-US-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m6d24-Alabama-fisherman-affected-by-Gulf-oil-spill-commits-suicide
That ANY BP/Arco station remains open for business and continued profits is mind boggling. Of course it "makes sense" when looking at the cozy relationship between the MMS and BP, and the money that BP poured into Obama's campaign chest surely makes them untouchable!!
To make up for the financial losses, BP/Arco stations, rigs and offices could be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and all proceeds from the sale of BP/Arco assets would then pay for the clean-up and reimburse the fishing workers who will be forced out of their source of income for many years to come.
The recent suicide of Alabama fisherman Allen Kruse is testament to the long term destruction caused by a record of negligence on the part of BP. He felt helpless as he realized that conditions in the Gulf would not improve in time for him to continue on in his career.
"It was confirmed this week that fifty-five-year-old charter boat captain, Allen Kruse committed suicide, presumably a casualty of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that is now in its 65th day, according to CNN.
Prior to the oil spill, the Alabama fisherman had taken people out fishing, however, when fishing grounds closed due to the catastrophe, he was virtually out of work.
Stan Vinson, coroner for Baldwin County, said Kruse was currently working with BP to fight the oil spill, making his boat a “vessel of opportunity,” notes CNN.
“He was on the boat alone, and he had been with the deckhands,” Vinson said. “He was loading the boat this morning just like he normally would. They were supposed to go out… he told the deckhands to go get some ice for that boat, that he was going to pull it around.”
According to Vinson, when the deckhands returned, they found Kruse dead.
Deputy coroner Rod Steade Sr. said Kruse died from a single gunshot wound to the head."
above article found here;
http://www.examiner.com/x-12767-US-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m6d24-Alabama-fisherman-affected-by-Gulf-oil-spill-commits-suicide
That ANY BP/Arco station remains open for business and continued profits is mind boggling. Of course it "makes sense" when looking at the cozy relationship between the MMS and BP, and the money that BP poured into Obama's campaign chest surely makes them untouchable!!
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