Protesters rally at Chevron in Richmond, attempt blockade

RICHMOND — More than 300 people marched from downtown Point Richmond to the Chevron refinery today to protest the company they say is processing crude oil imported from Iraq.

Vowing to blockade the facility, about 50 people formed human chains at the entrance to the refinery on Richmond Avenue as others held banners, sang and danced.


The protesters were marching against the war in Iraq as well as a proposal to upgrade the refinery’s processing capability. They accused Chevron of profiteering from the oil obtained by the Iraqi invasion that has cost many thousands of lives and billions of dollars.

Kayla Starr, 66, from Ashland, Ore., said she was participating because of her 2-year-old granddaughter, Dahlia.

“I don’t want her to get asthma and cancer from breathing the polluted air, and I don’t want her to live in the world where we’re killing innocent people,” she said.

San Francisco Chronicle