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Take action on the BP disaster: protests near you (including national events on 6/12 and 6/26)

by: rossl

Sun Jun 06, 2010 at 18:47:26 PM PDT


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(Image from Greenpeace)

Hello all - hopefully I can make this into some kind of a short series or get someone to help me with this, but if not you'll probably see at least one more diary on the subject from me.  Basically, here's a post where I'm trying to assemble all the information for protests that you need to know in order to take action against BP and for some kind of a clean energy future.

Go below the fold for a list of events/websites/facebook pages/etc.

(Just because of my own time constraints, I've only listed events in the US)

rossl :: Take action on the BP disaster: protests near you (including national events on 6/12 and 6/26)
First off, if you're in or near Philadelphia, I'm organizing two protests.  Here's a copy of the information I posted to the site youngphillypolitics.com:

FLOURTOWN (suburb)
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: BP Station
Street: 1674 Bethlehem Pike
City/Town: Flourtown, PA

We'll meet up at the shopping center right next to the station at 5 PM then head to BP

On google maps: Google Maps

ROXBOROUGH (Philly neighborhood)
Date: Monday, June 14, 2010
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Roxborough BP Station
Street: Intersection of Ridge Ave and Shawmont Ave
City/Town: Philadelphia, PA

We will meet up at the Shawmont School on Shawmont Ave down the street at 5 PM and then head to BP.

The BP station: Google Maps

The Shawmont School: Google Maps

GENERAL INFORMATION

Our list of demands include:
NATIONALLY
-Make BP (and any other corporation responsible) pay for the ENTIRE cost of clean up
-Permanent moratorium on offshore drilling in US waters
-A real, strong climate and energy bill...that means something better than cap and trade and no fossil fuel bailouts like the current bill
LOCALLY
-Higher gas tax in Pennsylvania
-More and better public transportation
-A moratorium on all new natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale

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One useful tool is the facebook page BP=Biological Predator's list of events.  Here they are for all of you who aren't hooked into facebook (if you are, they're linked, so you can RSVP on facebook).  I didn't include the two protests I'm organizing, even though they are listed on the facebook page.

CHICAGO OIL SPILL RALLY (Link)

Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Pritzker Park (Corner of State & Van Buren) & march peacefully to Millenium Park.

We will march peacefully to Millenium Park in honor of World Ocean Day and to raise awareness for all the beings suffering on the gulf coast. Let's be a constructive force by bringing attention to the importance of minimizing our own energy consumption. We will meet at Pritzker Park (Corner of State & Van Buren). Bring a sign if you can.

Worldwide BP Protest - Cocoa, FL (Link)

Cocoa, FL, US - 12 June 2010 - Protest

Saturday, June 12, 2010
10:00am - 12:00pm
exact location will be announced soon

http://www.facebook.com/pages/...

Starter: Karrie Krell

Worldwide BP Protest - ATLANTA, GA (Link)

Atlanta,GA, US - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 350 MORELAND AVENUE

Starter: Monica Manuel, GA

Attention: this was moved from Jonesboro to Atlanta!

Worldwide BP Protest - DALLAS, TX (Link)

Dallas,TX, US - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Young St. Dallas, TX (in front of the WFAA Channel 8 studios.)

Starter : Lori Jett Davis

Celebrate Worldwide Protest BP Day! There will be an Anti-BP/Pro-Clean Energy Reform PROTEST next Saturday, June 12th 10am-12noon @ 606 Young St. Dallas, TX (in front of the WFAA Channel 8 studios.) Come join us!!!! Show your outrage, show your support, and show Big Oil that they may own our politicians, but they don't own us!!!

Worldwide BP Protest - WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Link)

West Palm Beach, FL - 12 June 2010 - Boycott BP

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Street: Okeechobee and Haverhill
City/Town: West Palm Beach, FL

Worldwide BP Protest - Santa Cruz, CA, USA (Link)

Santa Cruz, CA, USA - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP Saturday, June 12, 2010

11:00am - 1:00pm
Location will be announced shortly
http://www.facebook.com/pages/...

Worldwide BP Protest - DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Link)

Daytona Beach, FL, US - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: 971 West International Speedway Daytona Beach Fl. On the corner of ISB and Nova

Worldwide BP Protest - NEW YORK CITY (Link)

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: location tba

Worldwide BP Protest Day - Gulf Breeze, FL, USA (Link)

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: 2967 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563-3147

Worldwide BP Protest - Houston, TX, US

Houston, TX, USA - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP

Saturday, June 12, 2010
11:00am - 1:00pm
near the BP office in Houston at 501 Westlake Park Blvd

Worldwide BP Protest - Orange Beach, AL (Link)

Orange Beach, AL, US - 12 June 2010 - Protest BP

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: location to be announced

SEATTLE, WA Protest/Demonstration against BP for the Gulf oil spill (Link)

Protest/Demonstration against BP for the Gulf oil spill

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Westlake Center, Downtown Seattle

Since April 20 2010, thousands upon thousands of barrels of crude oil have been gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. Countless birds and marine life have been devastated beyond repair, as well as the livelihoods of fishermen that rely on the health of the Gulf to make a living. I am sick and tired of sitting back and not doing anything while these huge oil corporations run our country and destroy our fragile ecosystem. JOIN ME in staging a protest - bring your own signs, dress up, make a statement!!

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND - Maumee Bay State Park, Erie Beach, OH (Link)

Maumee Bay State Park, Erie Beach

Beach:Location: Maumee Bay State Park, OH

Address/directions: Maumee Bay State Park, Erie Beach.1400 State Park Road Oregon, Ohio 43618

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND - NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (http://)

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND-NO TO OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING YES TO CLEAN ENERGY!

Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND - SIESTA KEY BEACH, SARASOTA, FL (Link)

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND-NO TO OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING YES TO CLEAN ENERGY!

Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Location: SIESTA KEY BEACH, SARASOTA, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------

Here is more info about the "Hands Across the Sand" events, and more events themselves.  From the website (there is more info there, too):

Hands Across the Sand is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, fishing industry and coastal military missions. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting all of the above from the devastating effects of oil drilling.

A Message To The World

In the next two days Hands Across The Sand  will go International.  Any country will be able to plan events on this website.  This is a peaceful gathering of the people of the world. Planning an event is as simple as this:  Go to YOUR beach on June 26 at 11:00 A.M. in your time zone.  Form lines in the sand and at 12:00, JOIN HANDS.  The image is powerful, the message is simple.  NO to Offshore Oil Drilling, YES to Clean Energy.

Mission Statement

  1. To organize a national movement to oppose offshore oil drilling and champion clean energy and renewables. These gatherings will bring thousands of American citizens to our beaches and cities and will draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand; human lines in the sand against the threat oil drilling poses to America's coastal economies and marine environment.
  2. To convince our State Legislators, Governors, Congress and President Obama to stop the expansion of offshore oil drilling and  to adopt policies encouraging clean and renewable energy sources.   America needs legislation that creates tax incentives and subsidies to encourage the growth of clean energy and renewable industries for America's future.

For a state-by-state list of events (OR to organize one), go to this page.  There will be tons, especially in Florida.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The folks at SeizeBP.org have a list of dozens of demonstrations around the nation.  Their "weak of protest" started on June 3 and is lasting until June 10, this upcoming Thursday.  Seize BP is calling for the government takeover of BP, but the protests are more general than that, it seems.  Just go to SeizeBP.org and click "find a demonstration.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Sierra Club rally in DC

Host: Glenn H.
Location: BP Gas Station Logan Circle Area
1301 N 13TH ST NW
Washington, DC 20005
When: 06/09/2010 1:30 PM-3:30 PM EST

At the event, we'll get a briefing via cell phone from Aaron Viles, Campaign Director of the Gulf Restoration Network, who's on the ground assisting the recovery effort in New Orleans. Then we'll call on BP to clean up the spill immediately - and demand that President Obama and Congress end offshore drilling and provide the leadership we urgently need to create a clean energy future.
Given that we're in DC, we expect some good media attention - so bring big posters calling for an end to oil. After the event, we'll head over to Church Key for some drinks - and to plan follow up action. It will be fun and we think a real opportunity to make a big impact.
So get off your butt and sign up!!! There's a huge need in the Gulf and this is probably the biggest moment we've ever had to rally our city and country for clean energy! See you there.

-----------------------------------------------------------

6/12 12pm Worldwide BP Protest Day @ the State House Boston (Link)

BP Protest in BOSTON MA
Start: June 12, at 12:00PM
Meeting Point: THE STATE HOUSE, 24 BEACON STREET

-----------------------------------------------------------

Indian Harbour Beach, E Central FL

OIL SPILL VIGIL
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 -- 7PM
Bicentennial Park
1877 SR A1A
Indian Harbour Beach FL, 32937
(A1A Hwy. just north of Pinetree and Lowes on the right)

If you're planning an event, Codepink has a useful page with songs, chants, contacts, and more.  Click here to check it out.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's all I could find tonight.  If you know of any other events, let me know and I'll post them.  Hopefully this was helpful, and hopefully you'll be out at one of these protests or you'll organize your own.

And for your enjoyment, the Raging Grannies:

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Marcellus formation (4.00 / 2)
Well, hells bells. That article on the EOG blowout should be prominently featured in the national discussion, but I didn't know anything about it until your post. Bloomberg, Business Week, and PBS have picked it up, but this still is pretty quiet, isn't it?

This is disquieting:

"There was a blowout preventer" at the Pennsylvania site, DEP spokesman Neil Weaver said Friday night in an e-mail. "It failed. The reason for the failure is going to be part of the investigation."

The purpose of blowout preventers is to reassure gullible politicians and regulators, and a gullible public, that controls are in place. Blowout preventers obviously are not intended to prevent blowouts. That is obvious, isn't it.

Here's an example of the misinformation disseminated by industry propagandists.

3rd UPDATE: Transocean CEO: Cement Blew Up Through Well

By Siobhan Hughes
Dow Jones Newswires
May 19, 2010

Newman also said that a blowout preventer, which is a last-resort mechanism to shear off a well in the event of a catastrophic pressure surge, had been "fully tested," most recently on April 10 and April 17. But he said that those tests don't occur in the presence of the Coast Guard or the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service.

"Those tests are conducted by Transocean under the watchful eye of BP," Newman said. He said that regulators "aren't present on the rig when those tests are conducted."

"Newman" is Transocean CEO Steve Newman. So, the Deepwater Horizon BOP was "fully tested" on April 17. After the April 20 blowout, a hydraulic fitting was discovered to be loose and, when one of the control pods was brought to the surface, its battery was found to be dead. The other control pod has not yet been retrieved, it might also have a dead battery. What kind of "fully tested" does that indicate?

Newman lied when he told the House Natural Resources committee, on May 27, that shallow water drilling was safe because the BOPs are near the sea surface or actually on the rig, and therefore accessible. The Ixtoc disaster off the Yucatan occurred at a well that was only 160 feet subsurface, yet it was not contained for 10 months, after two relief wells were drilled. Many committee members were present for that hearing. Not one of those illustrious morons, NOT ONE, challenged Newman's lie. Drilling in shallow water is not safe, despite the assurances of industry propagandists, Gulf of Mexico politicians, and the bought-and-paid-for Obama administration.

Similarly, land drilling is not safe. Blowouts occur continually, but press and politicians ignore it except when it is (rarely) convenient to pay attention.

We have zero chance of stopping drilling in the Marcellus formation but we also have zero chance of getting reasonable regulations without vigorous national protests. I think we have zero chance of getting effective national protests without significant media coverage of events such as the EOG blowout. Keep it up, rossl.

Marcellus Formation

Extent

The Marcellus is found throughout the Allegheny Plateau region of the northern Appalachian Basin of North America. In the United States, the Marcellus shale runs across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions of New York, in northern and western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, through western Maryland, and throughout most of West Virginia extending across the state line into extreme western Virginia. The Marcellus bedrock in eastern Pennsylvania extends across the Delaware River into extreme western New Jersey. It also exists in the subsurface of a small portion of Kentucky and Tennessee. Below Lake Erie, it can be found crossing the border into Canada, where it stretches between Port Stanley and Long Point to St. Thomas in southern Ontario.



Ixtoc 1 (4.00 / 2)
The Ixtoc 1 exploratory well was drilled by a Transocean rig and crew, Sedco 135-F.

[ Parent ]
Newman's statements (4.00 / 2)
Newman's statements, quoted above, were made during testimony to a House Transportation and Infrastucture Committee hearing on May 19, which I am listening to now (C-SPAN). Again, nobody on this panel has so far challenged Newman about Transocean's "rigorous testing and maintenance program." WTF? Sigh.

Well, 3 hours of that hearing remain. Perhaps events will show that at least one person on the committee is not asleep, but I'm not hopeful.


[ Parent ]
Transportaion and Infrastructure (4.00 / 2)
Representative Mica alluded to the Ixtoc blowout but hid that fact that it was a rig and crew owned and operated by a Transocean predecessor corporation. In a four hour hearing, no congressperson questioned the utility of a testing program that fails to reveal the fact that the equipment cannot possibly work, as indeed it cannot possibly work if the hydraulics leak, or asked how the testing program might be improved. My general evaluation is that this committee, although not in full deep sleep, is asnooze. Chair Oberstar is a little sharper than Representative Rahall, Natural Resources Chair (he also sits on T&I), and questions from this committee generally were better than the Natural Resources questioning, which was dismal.

McKay, BP America's honcho, is in the wrong job. Most of what he said in the hearing was, this is unprecedented, it's a unique situation, nobody could have predicted it - all of which is demonstrably, undeniably, indisputably false, although the committee glossed over it. McKay should resign or be fired if he believes it is true, and he should resign or be fired if he believes it is not true but lied about it. Something has been gnawing at my gizzard all along, and this hearing intensified my feeling. BP's area response plan was entirely surface oriented. BP's worst case scenario in the permit application contemplated multiples of the current gusher. How are those two things compatible? How can a company submit a surface response plan that it said could handle hundreds of thousands of barrels a day (another demonstrable, indisputable falsehood) without being able to imagine that the necessity of responding to such a disaster would only come from a subsea failure? And, a subsea failure would necessitate a subsea response. McKay is an ass. His jackassery was only compounded when he specified what he meant by "unprecedented" - similar blowouts have occurred, but not below 5,000 feet. Isn't that nauseating? Nobody on T&I called him on it.

This hearing was the first of three by this committee on that day. Two more to sit through but really, what's the point?


[ Parent ]
Battery (4.00 / 2)
Hmm. Rep. Young asked about the battery. Newman said the battery satisfied manufacturor voltage requirements.

Where does the storyline about the dead battery come from? Could the battery have met voltage requirements without being able to supply sufficient amperage?


[ Parent ]
dead battery (4.00 / 2)
The dead battery storyline seems to have been originated by Bart Stupak, Chair, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Energy and Commerce Committee, based on something he or a staffer saw in documents provided by Transocean and BP.

Stupak's statement

Either Stupak or Newman, I don't know which one, seems wrong.

I haven't yet listened to that hearing.

Another area of contradictory statements:

Deepwater Horizon glitches before explosion in Gulf of Mexico get House panel's attention

Jonathan Tilove
May 12, 2010

"When one of the control pods was removed after the spill began, the battery was found to be dead," Stupak said.

Stupak said that committee also learned that the BOP had been modified in ways that apparently left BP befuddled, slowing their efforts to try to activate it after the accident, though Transocean President Steve Newman said the modifications had been made at BP's request and expense.



[ Parent ]
pointless comment (4.00 / 2)
This comment has no real point, because we all know the truth of the comment (below) and I know I'm beating dead mules.

The comment:

Relying on lamestream media for information is a dangerous practice.

I've never seen a report of a discrepancy between Stupak and Newman about the condition of the battery. I've never seen a comment about a dead battery followed up with a comment about contradicory information.


[ Parent ]
I'll be at the Flourtown event.. (4.00 / 3)
and if you want I can help publicize. I just posted on our Montgomery County DFA Twitter feed. The Montgomery Newspapers
read my feed...ALSO reading my feed State Rep Josh Shapiro.

Who is your State Rep and your Congress Critter?

@MontcoDFA on Twitter....


Mike Gerber and Vincent Hughes (4.00 / 2)
I'm trying to get the Green Party state rep candidate in Roxborough to come to that one.

Thanks for coming!  Hopefully it will be more than just us and a few of my friends :)

I called Mary English at the Times Herald, too, who knows me from the garden and my mom from various things.

Vote for yourself at www.ni4d.us!


[ Parent ]
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