Oil Drilling Opponents Rally Along FL Beaches
(Posted June 24, 2011 12:01 am)
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - Thousands plan to join hands Saturday along Florida
beaches for the second annual "Hands Across the Sand"
event, meant to demonstrate opposition to expanded
coastal and offshore drilling as well as support for
clean-energy choices.
The
Gulf Restoration Network (GRN) is joining the lines
this year. The group's Florida director, Darden Rice,
says the idea is to keep up pressure to protect
Florida's coasts and tourism economy and to call for
alternative energy solutions such as solar power.
Congress is proposing dramatic increases to offshore
drilling but has done nothing to implement any safety
recommendations from the Oil Spill Commission, Rice
says. Likewise, he says, plans to drill in state waters
will loom over the Legislature's agenda in January.
"GRN is taking the lead on organizing it in the St. Pete
Beach area. We are also organizing follow-up activist
training."
Offshore drilling will never be safe, claims Hands
Across The Sand activist Karen Dugo, adding that the
oceans are just too important to risk. Dugo is hosting a
rally on pristine Wakulla Beach in Florida's Big Bend
region.
"There are many small fishermen who put in off Wakulla's
coastline, and they are having a really bad time
sustaining their lifestyle."
Floridians have particular concerns about offshore
drilling, Dugo says. Tourism is the state's No. 1
industry, she says, and even a hint of oil pollution
could have an immediate impact.
The event will take place across the nation at noon in
each time zone. Attendees will join hands for 15 minutes
while standing along waterways. Details are online at
Hands Across The Sand.
