Chevron protest draws spirit crowd in San Ramon

By Sophia Kazmi
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 12/07/2009 10:48:14 AM PST
Updated: 12/07/2009 02:50:58 PM PST

SAN RAMON -- The cold and the threat of rain didn't stop dozens of
demonstrators from protesting Chevron's environmental track record at the
oil giant's headquarters Monday.

The protest coincided with the first day of the largest United Nations
climate change conference in history, which opened Monday in Copenhagen,
Denmark.

Holding signs and chanting slogans, protesters representing 30 different
Bay area environmental and anti-globalization groups braved the cold and
the 7 a.m. protest start time at the Bollinger Canyon Road headquarters.

"Why Chevron? It's the biggest polluter and it's in our backyard," said
Gopal Dayaneni, a member of Movement Generation Justice and Ecology
Project, one of the groups at the protest.

Sean Comey, Chevron spokesman, said the company welcomes constructive
criticism, but what he heard from demonstrators was inaccurate and
misleading.

"We work hard to protect the environment," Comey said, "and the issue of
climate change, we take it very seriously."

Protesters urged Chevron to support equitable, science-based targets and
solutions on international climate change, and called on the company to
stop supporting campaigns that oppose national climate change legislation
and stop expanding into heavier sources of crude oil.

Due to the protest, traffic was backed up onto Bollinger Canyon Road at
Interstate 680, drawing looks from many drivers on one of San Ramon's
busiest streets. Protesters even got a honk from diesel truck driving
by.

The demonstration was organized by the Mobilization for Climate Justice
West, a collaboration of about 30 Bay Area-based organizations. The
protest started with about 100 people and dropped to about 60 later in the
morning. Twenty nine people were arrested for violations including
blocking traffic, trespassing and unlawful assembly, said San Ramon Police
Lt. Dan Pratt. Most were cited and released, but a few were taken to jail
for resisting arrest.

Cathy Kunkel, who sat with others locked arm-and-arm at the Chevron
entrance gate, said she had been there since 6:45 a.m. and was still
chanting there about three hours later. She said she feels Chevron is
undermining climate policy by lobbying against it.

As she talked, those she linked arms with began to sing.

"We shall not be moved," they sang.