On May 21, communities all over the world will participate in the international Hands Across the Sand day of action by gathering at their local beach and joining hands to draw a line in the sand. This line will be a figurative way to say “no” to offshore drilling and seismic gun testing and “yes” to clean renewable energy.

Numerous Hands Across the Sands events will take place along the Gullah/Geechee Nation‘s coast.  Since its first year in 2010, thousands of Hands gatherings have taken place in all 50 states and 43 countries worldwide, including annual Folly Beach gatherings in South Carolina.  Hands events will take place in North Myrtle Beach and Garden City Beach as well. More information about Hands Across the Sand can be found at http://www.handsacrossthesand.org/.

The Charleston area Hands Across the Sand gathering will take place on Folly Beach, which will be the 7th annual gathering held there.  People will get together beginning at 11:15 am on the beach adjacent to the pier (101 E. Arctic Ave.) in front of Tides Hotel.

The specific purpose of this year’s event will be to affirm the federal government’s recent decision to cancel near term plans for oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, yet to push for stronger, longer-lasting protections and the cancellation of seismic exploration for oil and gas.

A press conference will start at 11:45 a.m. and will feature comments on the subject of offshore drilling from Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin, Reverend Jeremy Rutledge, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, and other community leaders.

Cum jayn we een de Gullah/Geechee Nation fa tek a stand!  

Cum be paat ob Hands Across de Sand!