Yesterday at a Valero gas station in Fresno CA, activists demonstrated against Proposition 23, which would undo California's landmark clean energy law passed in 2006. Many drivers at the busy intersection honked in solidarity and accepted fact sheets about the proposition being funded by Valero and Tesoro, two Texas oil companies whose California oil refineries are among the top ten polluters in the state. The League of Conservation Voters says Prop. 23 would "let these oil companies and other polluters off the hook" and drastically increase air pollution and public health risks.
One cyclist at the demonstration had a little sign on her bicycle: FREEDOM FROM OIL - as well as a large one saying NO on 23, but yes to clean air, clean energy, and clean tech jobs.
Among the 40 demonstrators were The Raging Grannies, who sang "Valero Oil of Texas" to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas." There's a great video of the song here.
Valero Oil of Texas is not the oil for me.
You send your dough from Texas to back Prop twenty-three.
You want to make a profit from smogging up our skies
But the California voters are on to all your LIES.
Valero Oil of Texas will go on TV and lie.
They'll say "End regulation, or kiss your job good-bye."
But we can still have clean air, and a strong economy,
When we invest in solar, and defeat Prop twenty=three.
Valero Oil of Texas, my vote is not for sale.
For all your Dirty Millions, your plan will not prevail.
We California voters will keep our state intact,
So keep your dough in Texas and we'll keep our Clean Air Act.
Here is a younger demonstrator, along with one of The Raging Grannies:
One of the signs warns: "500,000 clean energy jobs at stake" and another asks: "Do you really want to buy solar panels from China?" Others said:
Our Children Deserve Clean Air
Don’t be Duped by Big Oil $$$
Delay and Deny? Don’t Let Big Oil Do it
We Need Jobs! No on Prop 23
Texas Oil Keep Your $$Greed$$ out of CA
The Money Behind Prop 23: Valero $4 million
Tesoro $1.5 million Koch Bros: $1million
I Believe in CA Innovation. Don’t Let Big Oil Stop It!
Don’t Let Texas Mess With California. No on 23
Don’t Be Fooled By Texas Oil! No on Prop 23
Independence Your Cause? Vote No on 23!
Texas Enron Fooled Us Once—Don’t Let TX Oil Fool Us Again!
Finally, "Don't let Texas oil money steal California's economy"
More information about the proposition is available at NO on 23.