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Politics & Government

Hands Across the Sand in Dunedin

About 40 turn out in passionate support to end offshore drilling.

A young boy holding hands with a small group of adult demonstrators on Dunedin Causeway Saturday asked why they were being quiet.

A woman replied that they were praying.

"In your mind, picture the world and wrap it in a golden light," she told him.

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The boy squinted, looking confused, but remained silent.

The group of about 40 gathered near the kayak rental stand to sign a petition and show support for Hands Across the Sand, an international movement for cleaner energy.

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Groups gathered around at beaches all across Florida to simultaneously hold hands at noon as part of an annual demonstration against offshore drilling. Meanwhile, news that Governor Rick Scott and Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos want to open up state waters to offshore oil drilling only intensified discussion at the press conference in St. Petersburg. 

The move to open up Florida’s coastline to offshore drilling is part of Scott’s proposed comprehensive energy policy. Supporters cite economic benefits, including jobs and lower gas prices.

Offshore drilling supporter Frank Kozak of Cedar Key walked up and down the line of demonstrators in St. Petersburg, attempting to debate. “Ten dollars a gallon too low for you?” he said. “Fifty thousand people laid off in the Gulf of Mexico. Obama, start drilling!”

“The risks far outweigh the rewards,” said Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch at the press conference. “We’re talking pennies a gallon.”

The group in Dunedin stood largely in silent meditation for 15 minutes from noon to 12:15 p.m., also posing for Hands Across the Sand's helicopter aerial photos scheduled beforehand.

"Let's think about the ocean," Dunedin organizer Christine Wall of Tampa rallied as the group joined hands and stretched themselves along the waterside of St. Joseph Sound. "Let's send out our protection and love for that."

When invited to join, a nearby family of beachgoers declined, but watched closely.

"The oceans are the life of the earth," said Dunedin demonstrator Martha Aserinsky of Palm Harbor. "We are destroying the oceans. We are destroying the life ... It's not in the future. It's happening right now."

Ex-governor Charlie Crist, who attended the press conference with wide Carole, was in office when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig blew out. He had been open to offshore drilling, but after flying over the slick, he’s worried about the new proposal. “Obviously, it concerns me, or Carole and I wouldn’t be here now,” he said. “I’m hopeful that members of the House and the Senate will understand how important and precious Florida is and how much we all love her and need to protect her.”

One legislator said he’s confident that, despite the support of the governor and Senate president, drilling in state waters won’t see the light of day – at least for now. Republican State Representative Jim Frishe said State House Speaker Dean Cannon assured him that legislation paving the way for offshore rigs a couple miles out wouldn’t see the light of day on his watch.

“We talked about the ramifications for the tourism industry and the general economy all around," Frishe said. "And he committed to me that we would not see any offshore oil drilling while he was speaker. I was very pleased to hear that from him, and I think that he’s a man of his word.”

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