Byhalia Connection Pipeline
Plains All American Pipeline announced in late 2019 its joint plans with Valero Energy Corporation to build the Byhalia Connection Pipeline through Black communities in Southwest Memphis. The multi-billion-dollar fossil fuel corporation, with a public relations machine, blitzed into Southwest Memphis with maps, charts and donations to local nonprofits.
An environmental hazard
“This neighborhood always gets the brunt of whatever the other neighborhoods don’t want.” – Mozell Smith, Boxtown resident
Land grabbing
“They going to just do what they want. ” – Joseph Owens, Southwest Memphis resident
Local officials weigh in
“We have to protect that aquifer. That’s a huge situation.” – Jeff Warren, Memphis City Councilman
In the national spotlight
“It is past time to put people over corporate gains and to hear the cries of the people in our cities.
In Memphis, it seems the cry is clear: “No Oil in Our Soil.” – Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and the Rev. Liz Theoharis
Developers tap out
“We don’t really know if we want to cry, laugh, shout, run or whatever but I know we’re extremely happy.” – Kizzy Jones, Memphis Community Against the Pipeline co-founder
