OCEANA Organizes Hands Across the Sand

Alyssa Carnegie

Offshore oil drilling – it is the one issue that just won’t go away and OCEANA Belize takes every opportunity to raise awareness on this national issue. So, on Saturday they are joining hands, literally, to stand in solidarity with the rest of the world against off shore oil exploration. Communications Director Alyssa Carnegie tells us about the significance Saturday’s activity.

Alyssa Carnegie, Communications Director, OCEANA Belize

“So, in response to Deep Water Horizon that happened off the coast of the U.S some years ago, there was an initiative that came about in terms of bring awareness to the impacts of offshore oil exploration and activities. In that regard, there was this large event organized that was called Hands across the Sands and also Hands Across the Land, where people came out in silent solidarity against offshore oil by standing together side by side by holding hands for fifteen minutes. On May sixteenth, Belize will be observing this exercise as well and this activity is held every year throughout the country where we are asking Belizeans to come and show their support saying no to offshore oil in Belize, and stand in silent solidarity not only with other Belizeans but with people around the globe who are against offshore oil. It will start at twelve a.m or twelve noon that is, so that people can see that it isn’t a local activity or threat but it is also very global.”

Belize City, Belmopan, Placencia, Hopkins and Caye Caulker, as well as   Dangriga, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, San Pedro and Corozal   will be observing hands across the sand on Saturday. You can check out Oceana Belize facebook page for the exact locations.