Gulf South Rising Remembers the BP Texas City, TX refinery explosion 10 yrs ago today
We Commit to REMEMBER:
10 years ago today, on March 23, 2005, a hydrocarbon vapor cloud exploded at BP's refinery in TexasCity, Texas. The explosion killed 15 workers and injured more than 170 others. Those of us who live in the Gulf South know too well the disasters associated with the extraction, transportation, and refining of fossil fuels. We also know that the economic challenges in the Gulf South connect us to the fate of those who work in these polluting industries and live in the neighborhoods just across the fenceline. In solidarity with the survivors of the Texas City refinery explosion, and in loving memory of those who died, today we commit to make a shift toward valuing workers and the long-term health of our communities more than the temporary and polluting jobs that injure us and our community for generations. Today WE ARE RISING to remember Texas City, Texas!
We Commit to LEARN:
* Read Houston Chronicle’s Ten years after a Texas City refinery blast killed 15 and rattled a community, workers keep dying.
* See the People’s World article On anniversary of BP blast, judge speaks out for strikers. Read the Galveston County Daily News op-ed by former district court judge and attorney Judge Susan Criss USW strike is about worker safety referred to in above article.
* Also read the United Steel Workers article USW Cites Op-Ed on Oil Refinery Safety by Former Texas Judge Who Handled BP Texas City Explosion Litigation.
We Commit to CONNECT:
On March 23, 2015 post (and ask your community to post) on social media a message of solidarity and remembrance. Use #GulfSouthRising and @gulfsouthrising to connect voices from the Gulf South region.
We Commit to SUPPORT:
* Donate to support the work of T.E.J.A.S. organizing and training communities towards environmental justice in southeast Texas.
* Donate to support the work of Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy to provide legal services and advocacy coordination toward a just transition away from fossil fuels in the Gulf South.
Gulf South Rising:
The seas are rising... AND SO ARE WE!
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Website: http://www.gulfsouthrising.org/
Gulf South Rising (GSR) is a regional movement of coordinated actions and events to highlight the impact of the global climate crisis on the Gulf South region (TX, LA, MS, AL, FL). GSR coordinates events and actions around strategic dates in 2015. Our demand is a just transition away from extreme energy extraction, discriminatory policies and unjust practices. These things hinder equitable recovery from disaster and impede the development of sustainable communities. Gulf South Rising is a 12 month initiative providing regional training, coordinated actions and long-term infrastructure development to support frontline communities. Visit www.gulfsouthrising.org