Fort Myers Beach gathering to show opposition to offshore drilling
A growing number of people in Southwest Florida and around the world are ready to stand against offshore drilling and for clean energy solutions.
Around 250 people at the Fort Myers Beach Pier are expected to join with tens of thousands in all 50 states and on six different continents Saturday for Hands Across the Sand, a series of gatherings in response to the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
The event, which begins at 11 a.m., is open to all, and there is no cost to participate. Those who come will line the beach alongside the Pier, located in Lynn Hall Park at 950 Estero Blvd., and join hands for 15 minutes beginning at noon.
The Environmental and Peace Education Center, a nonprofit organization based in Fort Myers, is helping to sponsor Hands locally.
“This is a way for us to all get together and be seen and be heard, and try to encourage others also to get involved for renewable energy,” said EPEC president Jessica Mendes.
Cape Coral resident Megan Kuzyk is a volunteer working with Oil Coalition by the People, a group of Fort Myers Beach residents teaming with EPEC to put on the event. The mother of three wants to ensure the paradise of Southwest Florida is always around for her children to enjoy.
“This is an opportunity for everybody who hasn’t been to the beach in a while to pack up the family, bring their lunch, sit out and get some sun,” Kuzyk said. “I just really want it to be a day for everybody to get together and enjoy what we could possibly lose because of this oil spill.”
Oil Coalition member John Heim sees Hands as a way to encourage people to come together now and in the future.
“I think the best thing to take away from it is to not make it a one-day event and go home and feel good about the one day. We need to urge the continuation of awareness and education,” he said.
Participants are encouraged to carpool, bike or use the trolley if possible, and pick up all trash and belongings when they leave. For more information, visit handsacrossthesand.org.
Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs will also be participating in the Saturday event. Organizer Bobbie Gruninger said the purpose of this event is to make a strong statement against off shore drilling.
“We are asking for no more drilling in the gulf of Mexico and a switch clean energy within the next 20 years,” she said. “This will be a huge event!”
Gruninger will have a canopy set up on both beaches, and organizers there will be handing out no more drilling in the gulf posters.