Hands from across the world joined together on Saturday for the annual “Hands Across the Sand “ event to support clean energy and opposed off shore drilling.

  • Advocates gathered to support clean energy
  • Hundreds joined hands on the beach
  • The annual 'Hands Across the Sand' was held across the country

Hundreds of environmental advocates, business owners, and elected officials gathered on Treasure Island.

"To say no to offshore drilling, no to dirty fuels and yes to clean energy future that is now here," said Phil Compton with the Sierra Club of Florida.

The event started after the BP oil spill seven years ago, but citizens said it's now, more important than ever. This, after President Trump recently signed an executive order that could open doors to offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Eastern Coast. The president has stated that the order starts the process of opening offshore areas to job creating energy exploration but the advocates and Saturday’s event said it’s not worth the risk.

They worry about the potential threats of offshore drilling and said it could devastate the environment and local economy.

"We saw an impact on tourism, we saw an impact on people looking to move here and relocate here so our entire economy was impacted, we can't go through that again," said. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.

They hope their message will protect their piece of paradise.

"This is about our preserving our community our economy and the future," Compton said.

Locally, there were also “Hands Across the Sand” events in Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, and Tarpon Springs.