Yesterday Global Exchange, our members, and allies took to the streets of San Francisco to shut down war profiteers and the government offices whose actions perpetuate the occupation in Iraq. Global Exchange organized a rally outside Chevron's downtown offices.

The Freedom from Oil campaign rallied outside the Chevron offices with banners reading "Stop Chevron crimes: from Richmond to Iraq", "No War No Warming No Pollution" as well as one with Chevron CEO Dave O'Reilly's telephone number.

Check out some additional pictures of the Chevron rally and blockade.
And take a look at this video.

As the rally began, 13 activists blockaded the main entrance and the parking garage entrance to the building. Activists used lockboxes and barrels to halt business as usual for the oil giant. Other activists went inside to share some thoughts with Chevron employees and discovered that Chevron had surrendered rather than face resistance, closing down their San Francisco office for the day due to "special circumstances."

Global Exchange would like to thank Chevron CEO Dave O'Reilly for closing down Chevron's San Francisco office on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war. So Dave, can we take this as an admission that you too believe the war has gone on too long?

Shutting down was great, but why not take the next steps? We have a few ideas for you. How about this list for starters:

• Abandon plans to expand and process dirty oil at the Chevron Richmond CA refinery. The people of Richmond are already sick from living next door to you and would prefer not to get any sicker.


• Withdraw from Alberta and give up tar sands oil. The world is overheated and short of water. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that using loads of water to process tar sands oil and heat up the p***t some more is not such a great idea.


• Commit to growing Chevron's investment in clean energy substantially. Right now you invest 1/8 of 1% of your profits in clean energy. That's a bit low. Frankly, that's not even enough to deserve the name "green washing."

C'mon, Dave. Shutting down Chevron's San Francisco office yesterday was a step in the right direction. Take the next steps in your recovery from oil addiction.

For more information on Chevron, tar sands, or Global Exchange's Freedom from Oil Campaign email Nick Magel nick@globalexchange.org or 415-255-7296.