Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org, 914-261-4626
Denver, CO -- Ahead of BP’s annual shareholders meeting, activists plan to rally outside the oil company’s American headquarters in Denver to call on BP to pledge not to drill in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The action comes in the wake of new reporting on BP’s lobbying efforts to see the delicate area opened to destructive drilling.
Considered sacred to the Gwich’in Nation and key to their food security and way of life, this unique place has been protected for generations, until a provision in the 2017 tax bill opened it for oil and gas leasing. The Trump administration has been pushing for drilling on an accelerated schedule ever since, and hopes to hold a lease sale in the coastal plain as soon as this fall. BP America Chairman and President Susan Dio has expressed support for the Trump administration’s plan to sell off the coastal plain for drilling.
WHAT: Rally at BP’s US headquarters urging the oil company to pledge not to drill in the Arctic Refuge
WHO: A crowd of local activists will be joined by representatives from the Gwich’in Nation - Aleta Ketzler, from Fort Yukon, and Donald Tritt, from Arctic Village - as well as the Sierra Club and Stand.Earth
WHEN: Monday, May 20, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
WHERE: Commons Park, Downtown Denver
VISUALS: Large crowd with signs and banners outside BP’s office, mobile billboard circling the office displaying anti-Arctic drilling message and images
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.