This year’s Hands Across the Sand in Clearwater is one of 119 synchronized events across 18 states and seven countries designed to raise awareness about the dangers of dirty energy and the need to quickly transition to clean, renewable alternatives. 

CLEARWATER BEACH –  Eight years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster devastated businesses, communities and wildlife along the Gulf of Mexico, elected officials, community members and environmentalists from across Tampa Bay will gather on Clearwater Beach for this year’s Hands Across the Sand.

Saturday’s (May 19) event is aimed at opposing offshore drilling and calling for commitments to clean, renewable energy.

This year’s Hands Across the Sand in Clearwater is one of 119 synchronized events across 18 states and seven countries designed to raise awareness about the dangers of dirty energy and the need to quickly transition to clean, renewable alternatives. Organizers said the events are particularly important this year, as the Trump administration considers opening up nearly all of America’s coasts to offshore drilling, including proposed oil and gas development in parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

At a time when we need to invest in a green energy future and honor international agreements to fight climate change, drilling off the Florida coast would take us in the exact opposite direction, organizers said. The impacts of these actions will affect people across the world. Hands Across the Sand participants will be pushing local elected officials to formally oppose the draft plan to expand offshore drilling if they have not done so already, and to take a stronger stand against the expansion of offshore drilling along the coast. With the entire world rapidly switching to electric vehicles that use no oil, less oil will be needed.

Scheduled speakers are U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL; Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos; Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard; and Frank Jackalone, Florida director of the Sierra Club. Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long and Pinellas County School Board Chairwoman Renee Flowers along with representatives from Sea Shepherd, Environment Florida, the Suncoast Surfrider Foundation, Center for Biological Diversity, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy are also scheduled at the event.

The event is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. with talks from elected officials at 4 Rockaway St. on Clearwater Beach outside of the Palm Pavilion. At 11:45 a.m., elected officials, families, and environmentalists will walk down to the water’s edge to join hands in opposition to offshore drilling. In case of rain, speakers will be at the Palms Pavillion, 10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach.

Parking can be found at 4 Rockaway Street (paid, public parking); paid public parking lot near Family Aquatic & Recreation Center on corner of Esplanade and Mandalay. Bring at least $3 in quarters or download Parking App. Takes 10-12 minutes to walk to event

For information, go to handsacrossthesand.org.

Hands Across the Sand | Environment | Oil Spill | OffshoreDrilling | Events | Tampabay News

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