×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Citizens, community leaders, elected officials to gather to oppose offshore drilling

Hands Across the Sand participants will gather from across the region to say 'no'

By Staff | May 18, 2022

Community members, local leaders, and local elected officials will gather on Fort Myers Beach this Saturday for the 12th annual Hands Across the Sand event.

Those attending the event set for 9 a.m. to noon at Time Square will hear brief statements and then form a line in the sand, demonstrating opposition to offshore drilling and support for clean, renewable energy.

In the coming weeks, the Department of Interior is expected to release a proposed 5-Year Offshore Drilling Program. During his campaign, President Biden pledged to end new drilling. Oceana and participants are counting on President Biden to fulfill his promise, Across the Sand organizers said in a release issued today.

Speakers will provide their remarks starting at 10:30 a.m. and will feature comments from Fort Myers Beach representatives including Councilman Bill Veach and a representative from the Town’s Marine Resources Task Force. Also on hand will be Congressional hopeful Cindy Banyai (FL-19) and representatives from environmental organizations including Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sierra Club FL, and Citizens Climate Lobby.

The event will be held rain or shine. Times Square is at 1035 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach.

Schedule for the day:

9- 9:30 a.m.: Beach yoga session led by Cristina from Fort Myers Beach Yoga Studio. All welcome, bring your towel or mat!

9:30 – noon: Tabling from various local organizations including Sierra Club FL, Citizens Climate Lobby, and the FMB Marine Resources Task Force, and Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.

10:30 – 11 a.m.: Local leaders speak including Councilman Bill Veach of Fort Myers Beach, Ranger Rob Howell of Fort Myers Beach’s Marine Resources Task Force, Cindy Banyai for Congress FL-19, Sierra Greene, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, Solemi Hernandez, Citizens Climate Lobby FL, and Michael McGrath, Sierra Club FL

11 – 11:15 a.m.: Hand holding at the shoreline to commemorate the ecological loss from oil spills and to call upon the Biden Administration to take decisive climate action.

11:15 – noon: Beach Clean up sponsored by Keep Lee County Beautiful