For immediate release: June 26, 2010

Contact: Whit Jones, Energy Action Coalition, 914-671-1880
Nick Berning, Friends of the Earth, 202-222-0748

**Photo and video is available** http://www.flickr.com/photos/energyactioncoalition/4735488341/

Citizens Bring 'Hands Across The Sand' Action to White House
To Demand an End to Offshore Drilling and Leadership from Obama

DC event brings voices of 800 events across the country to White House doorstep

Hundreds of people joined hands in front of the White House today to draw a line against offshore drilling and Big Oil handouts. They delivered the voices and messages of thousands of people participating in today's nationwide “Hands Across The Sand” rallies.

Over 800 communities are participating in “Hands Across The Sand,” lining up on beaches and coastlines and joining hands together to say “No” to offshore drilling and “Yes” to a clean energy future. The events will represent the largest-yet outpouring of grassroots activism in response to the Gulf oil disaster.

This message was delivered to the White House as polls show that the public wants President Obama to demonstrate more decisive leadership and lead the Senate towards bold climate and energy legislation.

“Young voters across the country are watching to see how political leaders handle this situation, and whether they choose to stand with Big Oil or future generations” said Ethan Nuss, Co-Field Director of Energy Action Coalition, “Today, we are drawing our line in the sand against Big Oil and seizing the moment to bring about a clean energy future. We call on President Obama and our elected leaders to stand with people, not polluters.”

People joined hands in front of the White House holding large banners that read “End Big Oil Handouts” and “Safe, Clean Energy Now.” They heard from people directly impacted in the Gulf.

"The citizens of the Gulf Coast are feeling the effects of oil companies' drilling and abuses. They are ready for clean energy. We need strong leadership now." said Darryl Malek-Wiley, a resident of the Gulf with the New Orleans Sierra Club.

“Today the Hip Hop community is drawing a line in the sand. We must separate oil and politics because the time has come for us to ban offshore drilling and ensure passage of strong comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year. Our future demands no less" said Rev Lennox Yearwood Jr., President of the Hip Hop Caucus

The event was sponsored by Energy Action Coalition, Sierra Club, 1Sky, Hip Hop Caucus, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 350.org, Friends of the Earth, Public Citizen, and Greenpeace.

Contact: Whit Jones, 914-671-1880, whit@energyactioncoalition.org

**Photo and video is available**

For more information visit http://handsacrossthesand.com or http://energyactioncoalition.org

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