Sat. @ Huntington Beach, Hands Across Sand Say: "No to Trump's Coast Drilling."


Saturday, May 18 @ 11am: Huntington Beach to host "Hands Across the Sand" action to push back against President Trump's efforts to open up almost all federal waters to oil and gas drilling, which would affect our iconic coast line. Event details below. Last month, the Trump Administration put his offshore drilling plan on hold, but the President can be highly unpredictable & the process could literally start again at any moment -- so the community is vigilant, ramping up local legislation/amendments, and launching actions like this, to oppose him. ***Good visual opportunities for photos and videos***

Images of oil spills remain vivid in Californians' minds. Beachgoers to this day can still run into tar balls washing ashore on local beaches:{Link: https://psmag.com/news/how-the-2015-santa-barbara-oil-spill-changed-california } triggering memories of the Refugio Beach oil spill--this year marks the fourth anniversary (May 19, 2015) of that tragedy. Beyond local disasters, worries of the potential for environmental devastation are not just on Californians' minds, particularly on the ninth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (April 20, 2010)--they are a worrisome prospect for many other states. And stories like these {Link: https://wamu.org/story/19/04/10/this-oil-spill-has-been-leaking-into-the-gulf-for-14-years/ }, dating back to Hurricane Ivan, report how oil is still spilling, for longer than a decade now, adding to the painful reminders of the dangers that come with offshore drilling.

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ON
May 18, 2019

******* MEDIA ADVISORY *******

Hands Across the Sand Coming to Huntington Beach on May 18

Community Event to Oppose Expanded Offshore Oil Drilling off California’s Coast

WHAT: Crowds of beach goers, ocean advocates, and others will gather on Huntington Beach, shared territory of the Gabrielino-Tonga and Acjachemen tribes, to join hands forming a line in the sand uniting in opposition to expanded offshore oil and gas drilling. The event is part of “Hands Across The Sand,” a synchronized global effort to raise awareness about the dangers of dirty fuels and the need to speed the transition to available, affordable
clean energy solutions.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18; crowds will gather around 11 a.m. and join hands across the sand at noon.

WHERE: Huntington Beach, south of PCH and Newland Ave parking lot entrance

WHO:
· Laura Oatman, district director for Rep. Harley Rouda
· Vipe Desai, founding member, Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast
· Nancy Downes, campaign organizer, Oceana Southern California

VISUALS:
· Crowds of people wearing blue t-shirts gathered on the beach
· Signs, posters, artwork expressing opposition to offshore oil drilling
· Surfers drenched in chocolate syrup (appears like oil)
· Families and children with stuffed animal sea creatures
· Photography, drone footage of event available upon request

Background: On January 4, 2018, the Trump administration released the 2019-2024 draft proposed program for offshore oil and gas drilling, which proposed to offer lease sales in almost all federal waters, including the first fossil fuel leases in the Pacific in more than 30 years. The proposal has been met by fierce opposition by elected leaders, communities, and businesses in every West Coast state. California is among half a dozen states that have passed legislation or amendments to restrict oil and gas drilling off their coasts. Almost 100 cities and counties in California have taken action to say no to expanded offshore drilling, and more than 3,800 businesses have formed an alliance to protect the Pacific. While President Trump may have recently delayed plans to radically expand offshore drilling to new areas, coastal communities, business owners and elected officials remain vigilant in their calls to protect our coast until the decision is final.

In California, a massive oil spill in 1969 devastated Santa Barbara’s coastal habitat and set in motion bipartisan support for a ban on new drilling in state waters that became law in 1994. The practice remains deeply unpopular in California, where coastal tourism, recreation and fishing generate more than $42 billion a year and support nearly 600,000 jobs.

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