From the Gulf to the Gullah/Geechee Nation-Do Not Drill! Stop the Oil Spill!

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ March 5, 2015 ♦ 1 Comment

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has been hosting screenings of the film, “Come Hell or High Water” to educate people about the destructionment that came to Turkey Creek in Mississippi which holds a parallel history to many communities and townships in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.   At the conclusion of the film, the community of Turkey Creek is now faced with the BP oil spill.

The conclusion of this film seemed to be the opening of one along the Gullah/Geechee Nation‘s coast as the US government sought to begin seismic gun testing to find out if oil exist on the eastern seaboard.  The Gullah/Geechee Nation‘s leaders thought for sure that the actual existence of the all out devastation that took place in the Gulf would be sufficient to make it clear that drilling for oil should NOT take place on the east coast!  However, that has not been the case, so the Gullah/Geechee Nation now finds itself in the opening scene of yet another major cultural and coastal battle to prevent seismic airgun testing and oil drilling not only away from the coast of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but away from the entire east coast!

#Don’t Drill SC is building a movement online to galvanize people within the state to join this effort to protect the coast line.  One of the first events that they are supporting will allow people that have seen “Come Hell or High Water” can pick up where that film left off by attending the screening of The Great Invisible on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the American Theater 446 King Street in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The film highlights the impacts of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster on Gulf Coast communities.   Tickets are a $5 suggested donation at the door.   RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-invisible-charleston-screening-tickets-15995332470

Seeing these films will allow people to make more informed decisions and comments at the coming public hearing on this topic.  The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will host a public meeting from 3:00 to 7:00 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Mount Pleasant, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.   Although not required, BOEM is taking RSVPs here: http://boemoceaninfo.com/get-involved/meetings/rsvp-atlantic/.  The meeting will be open-house format. You can walk through various stations to learn about the BOEM proposal, and submit comments directly.

Tell the US federal government: #Don’tDrillSC.

Stand with the Gullah/Geechee Nation and protect our coast and our cultural heritage!