Hello Fellow Lovers of the Florida Coast, Here’s the post by Ericka Biddle for the\u00a0Key West\u00a0Events:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\nThe fight over oil drilling in Florida\u2019s waters is a fight for the heart and soul of Florida.\u00a0 Our coastlines are what brought many here, and what keep many of us here.\u00a0 From the white sand beaches of barrier islands to the vast coastal marshes of the Nature Coast\u2026..our coastlines define us, and what it means to be a Floridian.\u00a0 The sands and salty air, the seagrass beds, the coastal hammocks and wetlands\u2026.they are who we are.
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\nA tremendous fight is brewing in Florida over whether or not to allow oil drilling in Florida\u2019s waters (3-9 miles offshore).\u00a0 Powerful lobbyists with the incredible money of the oil industry are working hard in the Florida Legislature to abandon the Florida Dream and sell our coasts to Big Oil.\u00a0 When the Legislature begins meeting next month our coastlines and our state\u2019s future will hang in the balance.\u00a0 But you can change that!
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\nSATURDAY FEBRUARY 13TH \u2013 HANDS ACROSS THE SAND EVENTS AND RALLIES ACROSS FLORIDA \u2013 FIGHT FOR OUR COASTS!
\nOn Saturday Feb. 13th thousands of Floridians will gather along our coasts at beaches, boat launches, coastal parks and preserves, and near their favorite fishing holes to rally and share opposition against offshore drilling in Florida\u2019s waters.\u00a0 YOU NEED TO BE THERE!\u00a0 There is still plenty of time to plan on attending, and more importantly if you live in a section of the state where there are not enough events, to organize your own local event.\u00a0 To find out where local events are in your community please visit http:\/\/handsacrossthesand.com\/<\/a>
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\nNOTE: HANDS ACROSS THE SAND ORGANIZERS ARE LOOKING FOR FOLKS IN THE UPPER NATURE COAST AND BIG BEND REGION TO HOST AND ORGANIZE LOCAL EVENTS.\u00a0 THE WEBSITE IS A GREAT TOOL TO SPREAD THE WORD, AND CONTACT ORGANIZERS WHO CAN HELP.\u00a0 THIS CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS GATHERING YOUR ORGANIZATION\u2019S MEMBERS AT A LOCAL PARK OR BOAT LAUNCH, OR AT A FAVORITE COASTAL LOCATION.\u00a0 MAKE SURE TO TAKE PICTURES, INVITE THE MEDIA, AND HAVE FUN.\u00a0 For more assistance please contact Gulf Restoration Network (Joe Murphy, joe@healthygulf.org<\/a>)
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\nGULF RESTORATION NETWORK IS PARTNERING WITH PUTMAN COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL TO ORGANIZE A HANDS ACROSS THE SAND EVENT AT THE ANNUAL RIVER RALLY IN PALATKA, FLORIDA
\nIf you are planning on attending the annual River Rally in Palatka, Florida (sponsored and organized by Putnam County Environmental Council) you can also participate in Hands Across the Sand!\u00a0 Gulf Restoration Network will be partnering with PCEC and others to organize a Hands Across the Sand Event at the River Rally from 12:00 to 1:00pm EST.\u00a0 Please contact Joe Murphy (joe@healthygulf.org<\/a>) for more info, or Karen Ahlers (karen@pcecweb.org<\/a>) for more info on River Rally.\u00a0 You can also visit http:\/\/www.pcecweb.org\/<\/a>\u00a0 for more information about River Rally (Feb. 12th \u2013 Feb. 14th).
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\nLast but not least take the time today to visit http:\/\/www.protectfloridasbeaches.org\/<\/a>
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\nThis website is designed to ensure you have all the facts, data, information, and tools to be an advocate for protecting Florida\u2019s coastlines and beaches from offshore drilling.\u00a0 It is designed to ensure you can educate and activate yourself, and your community.\u00a0 Now it\u2019s time to get started!\u00a0 http:\/\/www.protectfloridasbeaches.org\/<\/a>
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\nNext time you are at the beach gaze out across that broad, beautiful horizon and try to picture it dotted with rigs.\u00a0 Uuuugh!\u00a0 Next time you are in a place like Aripeka or Crystal River fishing in world class waters, picture pipelines and storage tanks dotting the coast.\u00a0 Noooo!\u00a0 Better yet, picture yourself attending Hands Across the Sand, then writing a letter\/sending an email a day to decision makers and the media about why Florida is the wrong place to drill.\u00a0 Perfect.
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\nJoe Murphy
\nFlorida Program Director
\nGulf Restoration Network
\n352-583-0870 (office)
\n813-468-0870 (cell)
\nFlorida Office:
\n34413 Orchid Parkway
\nRidge Manor, Fl. 33523
\njoe@healthygulf.org<\/a>
\nwww.healthygulf.org<\/a><\/p>\n
| Date:<\/td>\n | \n Saturday, February 13, 2010<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Time:<\/td>\n | \n | 1:00pm – 2:00pm<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Location:<\/td>\n | \n | Higgs, Smathers and Fort Zachary Taylor Beach<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n \n Description<\/h3>\nThe grassroots movement \u201cHands Across the Sand\u201d is organizing a protest to oppose near shore oil drilling as close as 3 miles off the Florida coast. The statewide event at all Florida beaches will take place on February 13 from 1-2 p.m. All Florida Keys residence and visitors come join us at Higgs, Smathers and Fort Zachary Taylor beach rain or shine, wear black… help draw a line in the sand. For more info www.handsacrossthesand.com or call Erika Biddle at 305-295-0153 or Bo Walton 702-767-3264<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello Fellow Lovers of the Florida Coast, \u00a0 The fight over oil drilling in Florida\u2019s waters is a fight for the heart and soul of Florida.\u00a0 Our coastlines are what brought many here, and what keep many of us here.\u00a0 From the white sand beaches of barrier islands to the vast coastal marshes of the … Continue reading Fight Drilling Off Florida’s Coasts – Sat. Feb. 13th Hands Across the Sand Events \/ Website to use to Fight Drilling! (Time to Act is Now)<\/span> |