Hands Across the Sand is an international grassroots event that brings people together to oppose new offshore oil drilling and promote a clean energy future that will help end our dependence on fossil fuels.
Surfrider activists participating in Hands Across the Sand at the Clean Water Classic in Westport, WA 2013
While Oregon currently has in place a moratorium on offshore oil drilling, we aren’t fully protected from the constant assault in congress to expand exploration. This is a constant battle at the national level, one that needs broad support from our chapters and activists nationwide. An example of this is our national campaign to kill the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act by preventing passage in the Senate (see action alert). Many of your chapters have participated in the past in our Hands Across the Sand event, a simple way to show your opposition to new offshore oil drilling and promote clean energy solutions.
We encourage your chapter to participate in the Hands Across the Sand event on Saturday, May 17, 2014. Surfrider Foundation is an official sponsor and the event is a cornerstone of our Not the Answer campaign opposing offshore drilling.
The premise of the event is very simple: on May 17 at 12pm local time people will join hands for 15 minutes on beaches around the world to to champion clean energy solutions to our filthy fuels problem. All events are organized locally by volunteers and the event website and Chapternet provides most of the resources that you will need.
Event registration is officially open at www.handsacrossthesand.com/. Your chapter is encouraged to sign up to organize an event at your local beach (many beaches go quickly, so don’t delay)!
Hands Across the Sand is a terrific opportunity to participate in a national grassroots movement to protect our coasts from offshore drilling. It’s also a great way to recruit new members and volunteers in your community.
If your chapter plans to participate, please let Pete Stauffer know. Pete will be coordinating the event at the national level and can provide support to your chapter for organizing the event. He can be reached at (503) 887-0514 or pstauffer@surfrider.org.
Check out this cool little video from a Hands Across the Sand event a few years ago at the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve.