The climate is changing, and people around the world can feel it. Fossil fuel infrastructure – like refineries and oil fields – is not only part of climate change, it is deeply impacting local communities. California Governor Jerry Brown has the opportunity to show real climate leadership in his last few months in office. That’s why people across California are writing to Governor Brown to make sure he fully understands the impact of his action….and non-action. In part two of our series, L.A. community organizer Sandy Navarro writes an inspiring piece about the experience of living in the shadow of the oil and gas industry.
What's it like having an oil company as your neighbor? This spoken word poem shares the story of communities in South LA who are standing up against neighborhood oil drilling. Sandy Navarro, a community organizer in South LA, shares her piece 'We STAND' in honor of her community and all those fighting to keep it in the ground.
Posted by Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling on Monday, December 19, 2016
Watch Sandy Navarro perform her poem here!
We STAND
By Sandy Navarro
We STAND at all Costs
To Tear Down Beige Walls
Deceiving facades
That hide
Inside
Derricks and Cranes
That leave traces of blood stains
On pillow cases
Of children too young to bear the pain
Of fumes spewing just feet away
From where they learn, live, play, and pray.
So We STAND
For the planet, for our children and the elderly
AND the Archdiocese – will STAND – For Nothing
Reaping –
Filthy – Oil Money
Tainted with the tears and fears of mothers whose children
continue to breathe
that Strange Fruit odor in the Breeze
‘Cause the Oil Industry
Is Good at Masking
Blowouts and Gas Leaks
So We STAND
For the planet, for our children and the elderly
And the City – Where will You STAND?
Behind A Broken Regulatory System with Antiquated Laws
Filled with Flaws
That Pave the Way
For Oil Companies to get away
with burdening communities with Toxic Waste
You Turn A Blind Eye
To the Injustice and Violation of Human Rights
Breaking the Broken
But the Broke Ain’t Buying
So We STAND
We STAND from LA to the BAY
From Texas to New York State
From Canada to Africa
From Brazil to Germany
We STAND to KEEP IT IN THE GROUND.
Do you have a story of how climate change and oil and gas infrastructure has impacted you, your family, your community, or a place you like to visit? Share your story here!
If you are in the LA/Long Beach area, join us and Sandy for a storytelling event on August 14. Click here to RSVP.
