Human Chain Creates Line Around State to Protect Florida's Beaches

Thousands of people at scores of locations throughout Florida showed up to hold hands and form a human chain to protect Florida's beaches.  Images of people standing in bright, cold weather showed that communities from the Keys to the Panhandle are united in opposition to proposals to open Florida's nearshore waters to drilling.

In the meantime the House continues its stubborn slog toward crafting legislation that grants leases to Texas wildcatters to explore and drill for oil in Florida's nearshore waters. Last week Speaker Designate Dean Cannon held a committee hearing where the Coast Guard testified on cleaning up oil spills and a compelling presentation conveyed the threat leasing and pipelines may pose to future sand management of Florida's eroding beaches.

For more on the case against drilling, visit protectfloridasbeaches.org.