Hands Across the Sand

With the recent Gulf oil spill crisis, it is important to remember how we all can change current energy practices. The Hands Across the Sand movement is one such attempt, striving to promote the protection of marine wildlife and the end of offshore oil drilling. Through the power of peaceful protest, each event involved fifteen minutes in which participants join hands along coastlines. On June 26th the second Hands Across the Sand event took place on beaches throughout the country.

As a resident of a beach community in Florida, Kim Jameson knew she had to participate. In an interview with Cool People Care, Kim expressed her hope “that this type of demonstration will impact decisions made in regard to off-shore drilling. In the meantime, I believe it does educate and encourage us to strive to use clean and renewable energy.”

In a large sense, Hands Across the Sand bridges borders. At Rosemary Beach, where Kim lives, many in attendance were members of the community, yet many passersby ended up joining in, having been moved to take part in such a powerful and symbolic event. While the movement first started in February, the ongoing Gulf oil spill has drawn widespread enthusiasm for Hands Across the Sand throughout the country.

Events took place in affected areas, but many took place in landlocked states that have no direct impact from off-shore drilling. Kim Jameson’s community, as well, did not have any oil pollution at the time Hands Across the Sand occurred, but Kim stresses that it is really about the message, regardless of where one lives.

In the recent demonstration Kim decided to wear a Cool People Care shirt. She believes that passively opening up conversations is an easy and non-confrontational way to mobilize people for good.

The shirt fit in well at Hands Across the Sand, where the protest really hoped to expand discussions on clean energy through a peaceful and joyous act. Kim sums up her feelings well, “I noticed the Cool People Care t-shirt and knew it would be perfect for this event, as that just says it all, kind of like Love Your Neighbor does! Those things just can’t be argued with.” Kim and Hands Across the Sand show that every little message counts when striving to create a positive change.