California Offshore Drilling Rally

February 20, 2018

On February 8, 2018, I joined over 500 concerned citizens on the steps of the California State Capitol to protest the Trump Administration’s recently proposed offshore drilling program. This plan could have devastating consequences for marine wildlife, including sea otters, whales, sea lions, shorebirds and fish. Defenders of Wildlife was part of a large coalition of nonprofits that organized this important rally to tell the administration that Californians do not support expanded offshore drilling. The event boasted a 15-foot tall inflatable sea turtle, people dressed as whales and an individual dressed as a polar bear with a sign saying “Dear President, Drilling Destroys My Icy Home.”

The protest kicked off with rousing speeches from legislators including California Senators Hannah-Beth Jackson and Ricardo Lara, State Controller Betty Yee, and Assembly members Monique Limon and Al Muratsuchi. We were then fortunate to hear a prayer and speeches from Native American tribal members including the Miwok and Yurok Tribes and representatives from the Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous People and Ocean Protectors: Coalition of Native Nations & Indigenous Peoples.

Speakers, including Defenders’ California Director Kim Delfino, touched on issues such as oil spills, California’s ocean economy, climate change, ocean health and marine wildlife. Senator Jackson told the crowd “you are the people who are going to send a message to Washington, D.C.: Do not pollute our planet for profit.” The message from the speakers and the deafening cheers in response made one thing clear: Californians care deeply about our coasts and we will not sit idly by and allow disastrous offshore drilling to occur. The message was also one of unity, with Republican Assemblywoman Kathy Baker saying “Our coasts are for everyone, not just Republicans or Democrats. We are coming together on a bipartisan basis.”

After hearing the impassioned and inspiring speeches, we marched through downtown Sacramento to the only public meeting being held by the administration for the entire state of California. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) administered the event, answered questions and allowed attendees to submit written comments on a set of computers. However, protesters expressed outrage at both the lack of additional public meetings and that, unlike typical public hearings, there was no opportunity for the public to give verbal testimony. As such, our coalition created a “People’s Hearing” outside the BOEM meeting in Cesar Chavez Park. There, participants were able to make 1–2 minute speeches over the bullhorn about why it is important to protect our coasts from offshore drilling. We were even treated to an incredible performance art piece!

Offshore drilling threatens coastal communities, fishermen and California’s $20 billion-dollar tourism and recreation economy. We depend on clean beaches and healthy marine ecosystems. Nearly all aspects of offshore oil and gas development are harmful to marine wildlife and marine habitats. The deafening seismic testing that precedes drilling exploration wreaks havoc on marine wildlife, especially marine mammals, disturbing their natural behaviors and impairing their hearing. Drill rigs damage sensitive habitats and ecosystems. As the Santa Barbara (1969), Exxon Valdez (1989) and Deepwater Horizon (2010) disasters so graphically demonstrated, offshore drilling always holds the potential for devastating oil spills. California’s sea otter population could be wiped out entirely with one large oil spill along the Central Coast. Additionally, expansion of offshore drilling operations would only increase our dependence on fossil fuels and exacerbate climate change at a time when California should be moving towards a low carbon economy.

The outpouring of support, cheers, participation and activism seen at the February 8th event was inspiring to all and I am very grateful to all of our members and supporters who came to speak for our ocean and our coasts!