Saturday, February 21, 2026

Altadena Survivors Rally at Edison Black History Month Event, Demand $200,000 Relief

By EDDIE RIVERA

Heavenly Hughes, of My Tribe Rising, speaks at protest rally at SCE’s Energy Education Center. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. [Eddie Rivera/Pasadena Now]

Protesters decry corporate negligence, call for immediate aid for families displaced by Eaton Fire

More than two dozen demonstrators gathered Friday morning outside Southern California Edison’s Energy Education Center in Irwindale, where the company was hosting a Black History Month event, to demand immediate financial relief for Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire.

Protesters lined the sidewalk chanting “Pay us now” and “Give us our money,” while speakers took turns to call for what they described as accountability from Edison International and its chief executive, Pedro Pizarro.

Heavenly Hughes of My Tribe Rise opened the rally, accusing the company of negligence and calling out “the audacity” to hold a Black History Month celebration while Black families in Altadena remain displaced.

Hughes repeatedly referred to Pizarro as “the $21 million man,” claiming that is his yearly compensation, and said survivors were “begging for shelter” and “begging for restoration.”

Zaire Calvin asked the crowd to observe a moment of silence for 19 people he said died in the fire, including his sister. He called for Edison to provide $200,000 to each household that lost a home, describing the payment as necessary “stabilization” for families living in cars or facing eviction. Calvin held up what he said was a sheriff’s eviction notice issued to his 85-year-old mother and said she wants to return to her land.

Speakers framed the demand as an advance against any final settlement tied to the Eaton Fire.

“$200,000 is nothing compared to the [millions] that [Pizarro] makes,” Calvin said.

Florence Annang of Pasadenans Organized for Progress criticized the timing of the company’s event, saying it was unacceptable to celebrate Black history while “denying Altadena a Black future.”

Annang outlined several demands, including fixing the company’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program to reflect actual rebuilding costs, covering gaps for insured and uninsured households alike, and establishing a community preservation and wellness fund overseen by a locally elected board.

Rand Vance, another Altadena resident, said homeowners seeking to rebuild are being told they must pay an additional $30,000 to $40,000 — and in some cases more — to reconnect to the electrical grid.

“It’s unbelievable heartlessness,” Vance said.

Other residents described personal losses.

Patrick Williams, a 40-year resident, said, “I just want to go home,” calling the rebuilding process difficult even with insurance. His son, True Williams, said the family lost heirlooms, photographs, and a sense of community.

Trevor Kelly said his mother died the night of the fire. He questioned why the company had “leverage over the victims” and said he had not received any compensation more than a year later.

“There’s no amount of money that’s going to bring back the loved ones,” Kelly said, adding that he intends to rebuild on his family’s property.

Felicia Ford, who moved to Altadena six months before the fire, described losing irreplaceable keepsakes and called the issue a matter of social justice.

“We have nothing. We started from scratch,” she said, urging the company to advance funds now and deduct them later from any legal settlement.

Speakers also named members of Edison International’s board and Gov. Gavin Newsom, arguing that leadership has the authority to release stabilization payments.

As the event concluded, demonstrators chanted, “Pedro, pay us our money,” and pledged continued protests and policy efforts until their demands have been met.