Category Archives: Benicia CA

Benicia CA, Democracy under attack, Local vigilance, Resist!

Another Benicia protest – UPDATE: Now EVERY Sunday 12-1pm, First & Military

EVERY SUNDAY
AT THE BENICIA CITY PARK
12 NOON – 1 PM
UPDATE! Now on EVERY Sunday!
(formerly every 2nd Sunday)

City Park – MAP

I learned somewhat belatedly that Benicia has TWO ongoing protests, both in City Park (near the Gazebo) at the corner of First & Military Streets. I’ve posted previously about the every-Thursday protest. This other one is EVERY SECOND SUNDAY, and has been organized by Benician Heather Pierini.

If you CAN’T make it to one of the April 5 HandsOff! protests, maybe you can stop by City Park on Sunday April 6 around noon!

Background:

This is from Heather’s email:

I organized the Benicia protests starting Sunday, March 9th.  My impetus was disbelief at the continued disdain for the rule of law by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk/DOGE.

I feel strongly that everyone needs to see someone standing up against these absurd policies and senseless budget cuts that only hurt our community.

Everyone who comes to the protests have their own personal point of view about why they are protesting.  Generally, the major categories are Women’s Rights, support for Ukraine, support for established laws and rules of government, resisting fascism, oligarchy and, well, just all of this.  After this week’s debacles, I’m sure we will see a boost in participation.

We will be meeting every second Sunday at the Benicia City Park between 12-1 PM.  The next date is Sunday, April 6.

I made a facebook event as reminders here: https://fb.me/e/4AcMUospx

Roger Straw
The Benicia Independent

Benicia CA, Democracy under attack, Hands OFF, Local vigilance, Resist!

April 5 – Massive Day of Protests near Benicia – Find one and show up!

Click here for protest times & locations near Benicia, CA.

Things have gotten even worse than we could ever have imagined. EVERYONE, if you possibly can, show up for one of these events to give voice to the nation and the world, that it’s simply not ok to for our government to defund the Education Department, to defund and deplete public health, social security and veteran outreach, to deport people without due process, and yes, to SINK THE ECONOMY with massive worldwide tariffs.  …among so many other horrors. It’s time we ALL speak up!

Find nearby protest events here…

About the April 5 Hands Off protests:
Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, claiming anything standing in their way is illegal, and daring the American people to stop them.
On Saturday, April 5, we’re taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!

  • Indivisible.com has made it clear: A core principle behind Hands Off! is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events.
  • This event is being organized by Indivisible, MoveOn, Public Citizen, Stand Up America, and the Not Above the Law Coalition in support of the Hands Off day of action and future actions. [from mobilize.us]

WHY “HANDS OFF”?

 

View on Threads

 

EVERYONE SHOW UP ON APRIL 5!

Benicia CA, Democracy under attack, Hands OFF, Local vigilance, Resist!

April 5 – Massive Day of Protests near Benicia – Find one and show up!

Click here for protest times & locations near Benicia, CA.

Things have gotten even worse than we could ever have imagined. EVERYONE, if you possibly can, show up for one of these events to give voice to the nation and the world, that it’s simply not ok to for our government to defund the Education Department, to defund and deplete public health, social security and veteran outreach, to deport people without due process, and yes, to SINK THE ECONOMY with massive worldwide tariffs.  …among so many other horrors. It’s time we ALL speak up!

Find nearby protest events here…

About the April 5 Hands Off protests:
Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, claiming anything standing in their way is illegal, and daring the American people to stop them.
On Saturday, April 5, we’re taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!

  • Indivisible.com has made it clear: A core principle behind Hands Off! is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events.
  • This event is being organized by Indivisible, MoveOn, Public Citizen, Stand Up America, and the Not Above the Law Coalition in support of the Hands Off day of action and future actions. [from mobilize.us]

WHY “HANDS OFF”?

 

View on Threads

 

EVERYONE SHOW UP ON APRIL 5!

Benicia CA, Benicia City Council, BISHO, Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance, Valero Benicia Refinery

Tues. APR 1 – Attend Benicia City Council

BENICIA ISO TO BE VOTED ON APRIL 1
Agenda and how to Zoom In…

BISHO.org

Benicia City Council – Council Agenda for April 1
IN PERSON, 6 PM:
Benicia City Hall, Council Chambers
250 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
VIA ZOOM, 6 PM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88508047557?pwd=cHRsZlBrYlphU3pkODcycytmcFR2UT09
Meeting ID: 885 0804 7557
Password: 449303
Phone: 1 669 900 9128

CALL TO ATTEND – By the Benicia Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance citizens group (BISHO)

Benicia, CA (March 28, 2025) – On Tuesday, April 1, Benicia City Council will meet to discuss and conduct its final vote on the draft Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) that will help protect Benicians against potential fires, explosions and toxic emissions connected to the Valero Refinery and other facilities. The meeting will be at Benicia City Hall, 230 East L Street, Benicia, beginning at 6 p.m.

“Because this is the final up-or-down vote on the ISO, we are urging supporters to attend to show support, either in person or by Zoom,” said Terry Mollica, a member of Benicia Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance (BISHO), a citizens group formed in 2023 to advocate for the passage of a strong Benicia Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance.  “This is our last, best chance to establish an ISO that will get Benicia a seat at the table to protect the health and safety of our kids, our seniors and everyone else in our wonderful city.” BISHO has more than 250 supporters, with membership and website visits growing as more refinery incidents occur. Benicia is the only Bay Area refinery town without an ISO.

Benicia City Council voted in January 2023 to begin the process of developing a draft ISO to ultimately be presented to City Council for vote. Since that time, a City Council subcommittee, led by Council Members Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye and Fire Chief Josh Chadwick, have conducted multiple meetings with stakeholders, citizens, experts in industrial emissions, environmental groups, other Bay Area refinery cities and many others to gain feedback as to the best ISO for Benicia.

On March 4, City staff, led by Chief Chadwick, presented the draft ISO to Council and the public. After presentations by many community members, Valero and other industrial organizations to be affected by the ISO, Council voted unanimously to move forward with the draft, calling for a second reading and final vote.

“Our citizens group is thrilled that the ISO is close to becoming a reality,” said Mollica.  “Along with local health and environmental advocates, we have spent years calling for tighter regulations to protect citizens from dangerous industrial emissions that impact air quality and the health of Benicians. We are finally near the finish line and are so grateful that City Council has supported this effort.”