Pipeline protesters rally outside Valero
Protesters shouted “You can’t drink oil” while demonstrating against the Diamond Pipeline on Tuesday in front of Valero.
About 10 protesters and 11 law enforcement vehicles were present outside the refinery in South Memphis during the protest of the Diamond Pipeline. Construction of the 20-inch crude oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma, to Memphis began last year and is scheduled to be completed this year.
A dozen people were arrested at a demonstration earlier this year at the refinery, and a group of officers observed Tuesday’s protest. Two officers appeared to take footage of the protesters.
With temperatures in the 30s, protesters held signs of “Boycott Valero,” “Save our water,” “People over profit,” “Water is life” and “Stop Diamond Pipeline. Pipelines spill. Protect our water.” They declared in another poster, “We are in compliance with Memphis Assembly Codes.”
“Our message is to protect clean water,” said 30-year-old Dominic Van Horn.
After the protest, an officer read a The Commercial Appeal Wednesday, March 15, 2017 printed statement that the leadership of comes and respects the expression of the Memphis Police Department wel- First Amendment rights. He read the statement to protester Keedran “TNT” Franklin who filmed him. Franklin is one of the well-known protesters who was previously placed on the city’s list of people requiring an escort at City Hall and later removed from the list after it was made public.
The pipeline is a project by the Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline and San Antonio-based Valero.
On its website, the company says the pipeline will exceed industry standards and include safety elements.
“The pipeline will be laid at an increased depth to reduce susceptibility to third-party damage,” according to the company.
According to the website, the project will create about 1,500 new contract construction positions across Oklahoma and Arkansas and about 15 permanent jobs along the pipeline after completion.
Protesters have expressed concerns about protecting water from contamination, noting that Plains All American Pipeline was indicted last year after an oil spill in California.
As the group marched away from the refinery Tuesday they chanted, “Say it loud, say it clear, the pipeline is not welcome here.”