Yesterday, faith and community leaders, community members and environmental advocates rallied in support of the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act. At the rally, advocates demanded that fossil fuel corporations pay their fair share for the cost of climate-related disasters – such as the January’s Los Angeles fires that displaced thousands of Angelenos and caused billions in damages.

Over 50 community members, holding signs that read “Make Big Oil Pay” and “Make Polluters Pay”, participated in a silent march through a nearby neighborhood where homes were destroyed by the Eaton Fire. 

Before the march, speakers – including Pastor Mary Ann Harrison of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Deacon Paula Walker of St. Mark’s Episciopal Church, Cantor Ruth Berman Harris of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Jihad Shakoor of Masjid Al Taqwa, and Maya Golden-Krasner from the Center For Biological Diversity – spoke about how January’s fires affected their communities and demanded that California’s leaders support the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act. A representative from State Senator – and a co-author of the bill – Henry Stern’s office also spoke in support of the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act. 

“My experience fleeing the Eaton Fire with my family made clear that California is not ready for the climate crisis,” said Maya Golden-Krasner, Climate Law Institute Deputy Director with the Center for Biological Diversity. “This Polluters Pay Climate Superfund bill would bring California a step closer to making the largest fossil fuel companies pay their fair share for the climate damage they’ve caused. These companies are raking in immense profits, while we all pay the price. California can’t afford to wait until the next climate catastrophe strikes. This commonsense policy will help shore up shaky budgets and allow us to invest in our communities, small businesses and workers who are essential to a thriving and resilient California.”

The Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (SB 684/AB 1243) would hold major polluters accountable by requiring fossil fuel corporations pay for the climate devastation they have contributed to across California. The LA Fires alone are estimated to cost $250 billion in damages. This legislation is intended to ease the burden Californians face while struggling to rebuild from and prepare for climate disasters.

“Californians are facing unprecedented fossil fuel-driven chaos, including the devastating wildfires that struck earlier this year,” said Andrea Vega, Southern California Senior Organizer with Food & Water Watch. “Our state desperately needs resources to protect our communities from this devastation – especially as we know we can’t rely on any help from the corrupt, vindictive Trump-Musk regime. The Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund sends the clear message that major polluters are responsible to pay for the climate damage they cause – not taxpayers.”

Attendees included advocates and volunteers with Los Angeles Faith & Ecology Network, California Interfaith Power & Light, Atheists United, Center for Biological Diversity, Climate Reality Project, Dayenu, East Valley Indivisibles, Climate Action California, Citizens Climate Lobby, Extinction Rebellion Los Angeles, Food & Water Watch.