At the petrol station with its attractive, beckoning red and yellow icon, a diverse group gathers to witness.
We recite the narrative of the Niger Delta.
Like supplicants before a mystical altar, we chant one by one—giving evidence of what we have learned.
Like a mantra, like a prayer committed to memory and spoken for generations.
We chant lest we allow ourselves to forget.

In 1956 oil was discovered in the Niger Delta,
an area rich with oil and natural gas,
so rich that Nigeria is now the fifth largest supplier of oil to the
United States.

In 1995, the Ogoni 9, including writer/activist Ken Saro-Wiwa,
were hung for their protest,
hung at dawn by men in red robes,
hung for challenging the corruption of governments and oil companies.

Shell, Chevron, and British Petroleum…
make billions from the area,
billions… while polluting the waters,
billions… while ravaging the land.

The fishermen have nothing,
the farmers have nothing,
the people have nothing…
but sickness and poverty.

Thanks to Linda Kunik and Jon Beau Aeon for edits.