Welcome to the Westwin Resistance
We are an Indigenous-led grassroots coalition of tribal citizens, environmental scientists, tribal law experts, and concerned citizens.
We stand together opposed to a proposed cobalt and nickel refinery in Lawton, Oklahoma on Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Caddo, Wichita, and Delaware lands. The start-up company behind the project, Westwin Elements, threatens our land, water and sovereignty.
Our Pillars of Resistance
Five pillars guide us in our resistance to the Westwin refinery:
Breaking News: Westwin Resistance Launches Billboard
Should the first-ever U.S. cobalt refinery be built by an out-of-state start-up company – in tornado alley? With no emergency plan outside the refinery property line? We say NO.
"Lawton has had a number of F2, F3, F4 tornadoes. I don't have to preach that to everybody back home. We all know it. We deal with that. We're in tornado alley. We have tornadoes on a yearly basis. [Westwin Elements is] saying that they’re building this thing to withstand 130 miles per hour [a mid-level F2 tornado]." Brandon Parker, Environmental Health Scientist, Comanche citizen
According to Westwin Elements, their emergency response plan only covers their own property – and their staff have jurisdiction over any and all first responders there.
"What about outside of the property? How many people could potentially be affected? We really don't know unless we get some more numbers from Westwin," notes Brandon. He also asks, "How are they going to notify the public quickly, if there is an emergency?"
When it comes to Westwin Elements, the list of health and safety risks seems endless.