Oil giant Chevron has come under fire after removing an art installation that called attention to the company’s environmental impact from a fence surrounding its refinery in Richmond, California, near San Francisco. The artwork, which was installed on Earth Day (April 22), consisted of brightly painted slats that were placed on the fence as a way of documenting the local petroleum industry’s health and environmental effects while serving as “a collective monument to resistance.”
Residents of the neighbourhood were encouraged to inscribe messages and stories on the slats, emphasizing the need for clean energy. However, Chevron spokesperson Ross Allen defended the removal, stating, “Our fences and other company facilities are functional equipment and we cannot allow tampering or unauthorized construction.”
The organizers of the art project, on the other hand, argue that the sections of the fence they utilized are owned by the city and that they had received permission from various local authorities to install the work. They contend that the removal was an attempt to silence their voices and erase their stories.
Interestingly, the artwork was part of an exhibition at the Richmond Art Center, running from April 5 to June 3. Despite its temporary nature, Chevron deemed the installation unacceptable on its private property. Allen stated, “Perhaps someone is mistaken about ownership of our fence and our property line, but we are quite clear about ownership of the area.”
Environmental organizations have long criticized Chevron’s Richmond refinery for its detrimental impact on the local community. Earth Justice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, described the refinery as a source of havoc for decades, highlighting its status as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the state. The surrounding neighbourhood primarily consists of people of colour who have experienced disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
In 2018, the city of Richmond filed a lawsuit against Chevron, alleging public nuisance and negligence. The suit came after reports emerged that the city’s children had asthma rates twice the national average, emphasizing the detrimental impact of the refinery on the health of the community.
One of the organizers of the art installation, Graham Laird Prentice, expressed disappointment and confusion over Chevron’s actions, stating, “We think it’s pretty weird that they disappeared the project without any kind of communication with us.” Prentice noted that the removal took place overnight, describing it as “pretty shady stuff.”
The removal of the artwork has sparked outrage among activists and members of the community who believe it is indicative of Chevron’s disregard for the environment and the voices of those affected by its operations. As the controversy unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between corporate interests and environmental activism, highlighting the need for increased accountability and a shift towards cleaner energy sources.