Saturday, February 13th, 2010 at 12:30pm CST residents of Florida gathered along the beach outside of Bud and Alley's restaurant in Seaside for a peaceful demonstration against near-shore drilling allowed in HB1219, which was passed by the Florida House of Representatives on April 27th, 2009. This bill will allow oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico three (3) miles from the coastline if it becomes law. Citizens who oppose this bill drew an imaginary line across the sand Saturday to show their concern for the possible negative environmental and economic impacts of near-shore drilling.
The event, deemed Hands Across the Sand by its organizers David Pleat and David Rauschkolb,
had an impressive turn out despite the crisp winter weather. Over 400 men, women and children showed up to join hands in Seaside, and many other towns and communities in Florida reported demonstrations as well.
According to the Hands Across the Sand website, the event was intended to 'raise awareness about pending Florida legislation to drill for oil in our coastal waters. Bill Rosenberg, one of four who participated in Seagrove, said 'hopefully the movement does something to let everybody know that we care about our beaches.'
