Why bother? Because your voice CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

by David Prescott, South Coastkeeper

We need you! Our coast needs you!

Join our Rally to Protect New England Waters!

On Wednesday, Feb, 28, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Save The Bay, along with our members, supporters, and other concerned citizens, will peacefully protest the recent proposal by the U.S. Department of the Interior to permit offshore oil drilling in New England waters. Why? Because the risks posed by offshore oil drilling in our waters are just too great not to.

Okay, so you may be thinking to yourself: “I am only one individual.” “The government doesn’t care about what I think.” “Plenty of people will be there so there is no need for me to go too.” “What can I do?” The answer is simple: you CAN make a difference! All you have to do is show up!

Save The Bay’s history has everything to do with showing up. Narragansett Bay and our coastal waters could look very different today if a group of concerned citizens hadn't come together to fight a proposed petroleum refinery on the shores of Tiverton back in 1970. Since then, Save The Bay, along with the strong support of our members, supporters, and concerned citizens, have successfully fought proposals for a nuclear power plant at Rome Point, liquefied natural gas facilities on Prudence Island and in Mount Hope Bay, a container port in North Kingstown, and many other ill-conceived ideas. All because we - and YOU - showed up to the fight….

Don’t count on others to fight the fight for you. Our coasts are under threat and we need your help! We need you there! Be present, be heard and be seen. Please join us next Wednesday for Save The Bay’s peaceful rally to oppose offshore drilling off our coast. Now is the time to make your voice heard! Now is the time to #ProtectOurCoast!

YOU can help us protect New England's coastline from the risks of offshore oil drilling by:

1. Joining our RALLY TO PROTECT NEW ENGLAND'S COAST! On Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m., meet us on the north side of the Rhode Island State House. At 3:45 p.m., we'll march together, signs in hand, to the Providence Marriott at 1 Orm's Stree, where the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is holding a meeting about the proposal. We'll peacefully demonstrate our opposition to the proposal until 5:30 p.m. 
2. Attend the Environmental Council of Rhode Island Press Conference just prior to our Rally, in the State Room at the State House at 3:15 p.m. Speakers will include Governor Gina Raimondo, Senator Dawn Euer, Chris Brown of the Rhode Island Commercial Fisherman's Association, and Amy Moses of the Conservation Law Foundation Rhode Island.
3. Signing our change.org petition opposing this reckless plan. When you sign, Secretary Ryan Zinke and the Bureau of Energy Management get a letter letting them know that you oppose offshore oil drilling in New England waters. Help us reach 20,000 signatures!
4. Submit your own comments opposing the plan by March 8 to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Use or download our sample letter to guide you.