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On the 50th day of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, environmentalists announced Tuesday they will seek public participation for a national "Hands Across the Sand'' day on June 26 to oppose offshore oil drilling.

Surfrider, the Sierra Club and Clean Ocean Action are attempting to organize New Jersey residents to participate in the event which will be held for 15 minutes beginning at 11 a.m. at beaches in the state and nationwide to draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand against oil drilling.

The organizations are planning major events in Asbury Park, Seaside Heights, and Atlantic City.

The Alaska Wilderness League, Environment New Jersey, and the New Jersey Environmental Federation are also helping with the events. Organizers said additional beach demonstrations are being organized in New Jersey.

"We are all frustrated and angry with what is happening in the gulf and may feel powerless, but together we will stand up for the environment and join hands to show our unity against offshore drilling and create a barrier to say that our beaches and our oceans should be protected," Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club director, said Tuesday.

The Sierra Club, Surfrider and Clean Ocean Action have advocated for halting offshore drilling and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, while simultaneously developing cleaner and safer solutions.

"Offshore oil drilling is not the answer to our energy needs,'' John Weber, Northeast regional manager for the Surfrider Foundation, said. "Conservation, efficiency and renewables are the answer."

Environmentalists hope the events will send a message to legislators, governors, Congress and the president to stop the expansion offshore oil drilling and adopt policies encouraging clean and renewable energy sources.

"As we watch in rapt horror at the suffering living-dead marine life coated in molasses-like toxic oil, we must be moved to act, now,'' Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action director, said. "To start, we can stand together, join hands in solidarity to support our community in the Gulf of Mexico. Then vow to wage a personal "war against oil," oppose off shore drilling, and put conservation and efficiency first."

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM