On Saturday, Food & Water Watch, local climate and community groups and volunteers hosted a “Break Up with Big Oil Valentine’s Party” in Signal Hill – which is currently the site of 502 operational oil and gas wells, right in people’s backyards and parks. 

At this family-friendly and fun event, dozens of community members wrote Valentines to Signal Hill asking them to “Break Up with Big Oil”. They also learned more about the efforts to stop oil drilling in Signal Hill. 

Signal Hill resident Rosalyn La said, “We crafted with families and kids from the community, it was so fun! I got to meet neighbors I haven’t met or seen before. Sometimes I feel like I’m alone in my resentments towards the city for putting Big Oil’s profits above people, but this event created a space to meet other neighbors who feel the same. It’s time to move towards a future where we don’t have to worry about breathing the air or drinking the water in our homes.”

Signal Hill resident and Climate Brunch member Mary Gonzales, said, “It’s important to send a message to our City Council that we haven’t forgotten about Signal Hill Petroleum’s pending request to expand drilling at a time when CA law restricts it.  We haven’t received a response or update from the city regarding dozens of concerned citizen’s comments and public testimony, except that the city continues to pay for a now possibly outdated study.” 

Food & Water Watch Southern California Senior Organizer Andrea Vega said, “On a day that is supposed to be all about love, I am honored to spend the day with the Signal Hill community and feel how much they love each other, and their home, and how much they want to see it protected. Big Oil seeks to divide us but today’s event has shown that its efforts will never succeed as long as we work together. I urge the city of Signal Hill to listen to their community members and reject Signal Hill Petroleum’s request to continue drilling in their backyards.”

Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Clean Break Member Nicole Levin, said, “Children, parents, and concerned residents turned out to the event – many of them asking the same questions: ‘How is the city allowing this to happen?’ ‘Why do we have to pay taxes, but the oil industry doesn’t?’” 

Photos available