West Coast demonstrators organized protests on August 29, calling for a boycott of all Chevron gas stations until the company ends its operations in Israel. Activists held signs, waved the Palestinian flag, and urged drivers to stop fueling at Chevron locations across Los Angeles and other West Coast cities.
Each protest site was organized by a different local group. On the Broadway Bridge over the I-5 Freeway in Lincoln Heights, the event was led by Chevron Out Of Palestine, a Southern California community organization affiliated with the Palestinian Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) Movement. The Whittier Boulevard I-5 overpass event was hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America – LA (DSA-LA).
Other protests in Los Angeles took place in Burbank and Sun Valley, while additional demonstrations occurred along the West Coast, including Sacramento, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, Washington. These actions were coordinated by West Coast Boycott Chevron, an independent coalition aligned with the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) and the United States Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), which have led the national campaign against Chevron.
Chevron is a major player in Israel’s fossil gas industry. The company co-owns and operates two fossil gas fields in Israeli-occupied territory in the Mediterranean. In 2023 alone, the gas fields generated $1.5 billion in revenue, while Chevron paid $820 million in taxes and royalties to Israel for these operations.
The company also provides 70% of Israel’s energy for electricity production. A recent report from the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestinian territories, Franchesca Albanese, cited Chevron by name and warned it could face criminal liability under international law for possible genocide and apartheid.
Chevron-branded gas stations are only found in California, Oregon, and Washington, meaning a boycott on the West Coast could directly impact the company. Chevron operates thousands of other global locations, but its corporate presence in the region makes it especially vulnerable to local action.
The company has faced growing pressure from activists and international institutions. Chevron was recently removed as a sponsor from the Denver Marathon, while the Swiss National Bank sold its remaining shares in the company.
In a statement, the West Coast Boycott Chevron coalition said: “Chevron reported its greatest quarterly loss in years for the first quarter of 2025. The company entered the Israeli market in 2020 and can exit at any time.”
Protesters say their goal is to raise awareness about Chevron’s role in Israel’s energy sector and the human rights concerns linked to its operations. Organizers also hope the boycott will inspire other activists nationwide to take similar actions against multinational companies involved in conflict regions.
With multiple demonstrations planned across major cities, the movement aims to maintain momentum and pressure Chevron to reconsider its investments in Israel. Activists emphasize that consumer action, such as avoiding Chevron gas stations, remains a key strategy to hold the corporation accountable for its international activities.
