Protesters Block PG&E Headquarters In SF; Muni Buses Rerouted

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Protesters dissatisfied with the recent wildfire settlement announced by Pacific Gas & Electric Company blocked the entrances to the utility's San Francisco headquarters on Monday. Protesters also planned to block nearby streets, forcing Muni bus lines to be rerouted.

SFMTA posted updated bus routes on Twitter. Routes including the inbound 5/5R, 7, 9R, 38/38R and 41 were all affected.

The protest group, which included fire survivors, people with disabilities and people of color, demanded that PG&E give back shareholder profits until it can provide power safely, that PG&E invest in minority and disabled communities, and that the state government turn PG&E over to the people.

"People with disabilities, young people who have survived fires in Sonoma County, and black and brown folks have locked down the building, demanding that PG&E can't go about business as usual. Business as usual has meant people's lungs, people's lives, people's homes being taken," coalition member Pete Woiwode said.

"We're demanding that they grab back all the corporate profit that they've put in the pockets of corporate hedge funds and put that into protecting and reimbursing people who have lost their livelihoods and their homes, and protecting people with disabilities and communities of color from the coming climate disasters," Woiwode said.

"Disabled people depend on electrical power for breathing equipment like oxygen tanks and CPAPs; people depend on refrigerators for medication that have to be cold to work," said Jessica Lehman, a coalition member. "People like myself, I use a powered-wheelchair, so I have to be able to plug it in to be able to get around."

"It's not OK that PG&E told people that they should make plans, instead of actually working with people to make plans. They did not provide generators, or hotel vouchers, or make sure people had places to go or keep the power on," she said.

The demonstration was organized by the group Color of Change.

The protest came days after Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly rejected PG&E's $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims, complicating the utility's efforts to emerge from bankruptcy before a June 30 deadline.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

About 25 pro-public power protesters blocking traffic on Beale Street at Market and demonstrating in front of PG&E headquarters where they’re singing. pic.twitter.com/wIf5x5Jqrv
— Michael Cabanatuan (@ctuan) December 16, 2019

Protest against PG&E at Market and Beale Streets. #SanFrancisco pic.twitter.com/vNmrMqAjfl
— Kagan MacTane (@kmactane) December 16, 2019