Environmental Activists Take Aim at Dodgers' Opening Day Over Oil Partnership

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ opening day is set to make headlines for reasons beyond the game itself. Environmental activists have announced plans to protest the team's partnership with Phillips 66, an oil-and-gas company recently embroiled in a federal indictment. The "Dodgers Fans Against Fossil Fuels" demonstration is scheduled outside Dodger Stadium, starting two hours before the first pitch.

At the heart of the issue is Phillips 66’s alleged involvement in environmental violations. According to a federal grand jury, the company discharged over 300,000 gallons of industrial wastewater—contaminated with oil and grease—into the Los Angeles County sewer system back in November 2020. Another incident in February 2021 reportedly involved 480,000 gallons of wastewater. It’s like they were auditioning for a role in a disaster movie.

The charges, which include six counts of violating the Clean Water Act, accuse Phillips 66 of failing to report these infractions. The indictment paints a grim picture: approximately 64,000 pounds of oil and grease were introduced into the sewer system during one of the violations.

Activists aren't taking this lightly. A petition signed by over 27,000 people demands that Dodgers owner Mark Walter sever ties with Phillips 66, labeling the partnership "greenwashing of the worst kind." California State Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez has also weighed in, urging the Dodgers to end the sponsorship to signal a shift towards sustainable practices.

"Ending the sponsorship with Phillips 66 would send the message that it’s time to end our embrace of polluting fossil fuels and work together towards a cleaner, greener future," Gonzalez wrote in her appeal to Walter. Honestly, it’s hard to argue with that logic.

Phillips 66’s logo is prominently displayed across Dodger Stadium—an ironic backdrop for accusations of environmental negligence. The Climate Reality Project’s Los Angeles chapter has called out the company's actions, underscoring the gravity of these alleged violations.

The Dodgers, who open their season against the Detroit Tigers this Thursday, have yet to comment on the controversy. But one thing’s clear: the team’s home opener is shaping up to be a showdown that extends far beyond the baseball field.