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Good Activist Synergy Over Bad Synergy Oil

Scientists in solidarity near Synergy sign. One holds a sign reading "I'm a scientist and I'm terrified." Another reads "The Science is Clear: Invest in life, not big oil."
Scientist Rebellion joins a coalition of local activists in protest at Synergy Oil, in Long Beach, CA August 9, 2024

Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island donned our white lab coats once more on Friday, August 9th, outside of Synergy Oil and Gas in Long Beach. We joined Food & Water Watch, Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force of the Sierra Club, Third Act, and Extinction Rebellion Los Angeles to call upon the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to rescind their illegal oil permits, especially regarding the Los Cerritos Wetlands and related “Pumpkin Patch” area. CalGEM’s rogue regulators issued 30 permits to Synergy Oil and Gas for new oil wells on the Pumpkin Patch on June 27th, 2024, the same day that SB 1137 went back into effect (the law banning new oil wells and more tightly regulating existing wells within 3200 feet of homes, schools, hospitals, and any buildings open to the public). These CalGEM-issued permits risk destroying existing wetlands, tribal cultural resources, and the health of surrounding communities, as well as drilling methods possibly causing increased earthquakes which in turn threaten to cause oil spills and land and water pollution.

Scientists wearing Scientist Rebellion labcoats are in the street approaching Los Cerritos Wetlands sign. An oil derrick is visible in the background.
Scientists yelling and holding placards in front of Los Cerritos Wetlands sign. One sign reads "No Drilling Where We're Living" and the other "The Science is Clear: Invest in People, Not Oil Companies"

Since Tongva and Acjachemen tribal leaders and local climate leaders have been egregiously ignored by CalGEM and Synergy alike, Scientist Rebellion took to the streets with local activists to make the issue well-known to both Synergy Oil and Gas and the public of Long Beach. At 6433 2nd Street by Pacific Coast Highway at rush hour, with Los Cerritos wetlands full of oil derrick pumps in the background, Scientist Rebellion helped stage a protest of Synergy Oil and Gas and CalGEM. Attendees chanted “No drilling where we’re living” and “Keep the oil in the soil” while scientists held signs which read “The science is clear: Invest in people, not oil companies” and “I’m a scientist and I’m terrified.”

Los Cerritos Wetlands sign in foreground, with oil pumpjack just behind it.
Scientist Rebellion and a coalition of local activists rally around a mock oil derrick at a protest in Long Beach, California

A mock oil derrick was erected in front of Synergy Oil and Gas, while Synergy employees took videos and pictures with their phones, and passing cars looked on from traffic which had been compounded by an out-of-service stoplight. A sign, which read “Los Cerritos Wetlands: restore, conserve, preserve – City of Long Beach” stood with oil derrick pumps in the background, ironically and cruelly mocking protesters and residents, while serving as a reminder of why Scientist Rebellion was attending.

This action of solidarity with local climate leaders to confront oil companies and the government agencies allowing their ecocide was a perfect way to sum up a week of Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island action: scientists teaming up to support local climate activists, to protect both local resident and tribal rights all while highlighting the interconnected issues of the climate crisis, extractive capitalism, environmental and racial justice. Long Beach, the location of the Ecological Society of America 2024 Annual Conference, has historically been subject to copious drilling near community hubs and residences, predominantly in areas of low income and in BIPOC communities.

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