People in 831 cities around the world joined hands Saturday, facing the ocean in a chain meant to be a metaphorical line in the sand against offshore drilling.

Florida’s governor and hundreds of people joined hands in the Florida Panhandle as part of the international demonstration. They were among hundreds Saturday at Manatee County beaches protesting oil drilling on a perfect summer day.

Thirty demonstrators joined hands at noon Saturday on Lawrencetown Beach, Halifax drawing with their bodies a symbolic barrier against offshore oil drilling. Thousands of people met on the shores of 34 New Jersey beaches and rivers as part of an international protest against offshore drilling.

More than 100 people from Utah climbed the hill overlooking the pond at Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park to take a stand. More than 50 people joined hands on the oceanfront in Myrtle Beach Saturday to protest and promote clean energy … and the list of examples may continue.

The demonstrations also were intended to show support for clean alternatives to fossil fuels. Dave Rauschkolb, the “Hands Across the Sand” event founder said that the image is powerful and the message is simple: “No to offshore oil drilling; yes to clean energy”.

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