Massive oil corporation Chevron
was recently forced to withdraw its longstanding attempt to evade taxes and
bankrupt the city of Richmond, Calif. Instead, the company committed to a $114
million benefits agreement thanks to the organizing efforts of West County
Toxics Coalition, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and other
progressive community organizations.
Chevron hoped to divide the people
of Richmond by offering some workers desperately needed jobs on the condition
that new, more environmentally damaging work be allowed at the local refinery.
In the end, these efforts were not enough to break the solidarity of the city’s
working-class communities.
In a capitalist society, government
officials, from the national to the local level, faithfully serve the interests
of the capitalist class, which are in opposition to the wants and needs of the
vast majority. However, the people of Richmond have proven that it is possible
to stop and even reverse these attacks if poor and working people stand up and
fight back.
