Richmond, California was the appropriate location for the last mural in the Water Writes series since several oil refineries are there. Richmond is a major hub the transport of petroleum. Public health and safety and environmental concerns has been issues for its residents for decades. During 2013, it was decided by the Shell and Chevron corporations to transport thousands of oil tankers via freight train to Richmond. There was much public concern that if a train accident occurred, the surrounding fresh and salt waters would be damaged.

This Water Writes mural depicts the transformation of the old railroad freight tracks into the Richmond Greenway, a community-built bike path with gardens and murals. In the mural the names of places where water was polluted by oil extraction line the bottom of the tracks. The freight trains show messages of solidarity with communities affected by oil extraction.

Defenders marched for the #OurPowerCampaign “Day of Action” during the painting of this mural. The march proceeded from the Kinder Morgan Yard, passing by the Water Writes mural en route to the Richmond Greenway. Bike tours were organized for the community to view and hear from the muralists, the youth of Loco Bloco, and our Water Writes team about the risks of the petroleum shipping to Richmond. Rise Youth Center partnered with our team to learn how muralism can be a tactic for speaking out on social and environmental justice.

A huge thank you to our paint and art supply sponsors for this project: Art Alternatives, Montana Cans, and Oakland Home Depot!