201905.18
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Hundreds form a line in the Huntington Beach sand to protest offshore drilling

by in News

They built a wall at the border – the border between sand and sea.

Several hundred people formed the barrier, of sorts, along the Huntington Beach shoreline Saturday, May 18, to protest offshore oil and gas drilling.

  • Little Nora Sullivan, 3, is swung by her parents, Dustin and Amanda as they join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Laura Oatman, representing Congressman Harley Rouda speaks about her personal battle with pollution as people join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Orange County Campaign Organizer for Oceana, Nancy Downes talks during the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Claudia Perez-Figueroa, representing Assemblywoman Cottie Perie- Norris speaks as people join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Over 50 people join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Vipe Desai talks about how local drilling would be bad for local business as people join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. Desai testified before congress last April. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

  • Protester Aaron McCall Chairman of Indivisible OC 48 leads chants and talks about how important voting is as people join hands in the Hands Across The Sand in opposition to new offshore oil and gas drilling in the Pacific Ocean Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

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It was one of hundreds of demonstrations around the country meant to underscore the risks of drilling on the ocean floor. Established in 2010, Hands Across the Sand has become an international event – with participants clasping hands at noon in their various time zones.

The event took place at eight California sites, including San Diego, Playa del Rey and Malibu.

Huntington Beach was selected this year in part because it is centrally located in Orange County. More important, organizers wanted to send a message to local leaders, said Nancy Downes, spokeswoman for the environmental group Oceana.

“Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and Dana Point have all approved resolutions opposing new leases for oil and gas exploration in federal waters,” Downes said. “But Huntington Beach and Seal Beach have remained less vocal.”

In 2017, Laguna Beach became the first city in Orange County to oppose a plan by the Trump administration to open drilling for gas and oil off the California coastline.

“Republicans and Democrats nationwide have come together on this issue,” Downes said.

The San Clemente-based Surfrider Foundation and other environmental nonprofits helped organize the protest.

“Off-shore drilling impacts fishing, tourism and quality of life,” Downes said. “We all need to speak up.”