Hands Set to Give Great Lakes a Big Hug

Have you hugged a Great Lake today? How about an inland lake? People in Michigan and across the U.S. are coming together on Saturday, June 26, for "Hands Across the Sand." It's a 2010 version of "Hands Across America," and a Florida-organized protest against offshore drilling. Numerous Michigan communities have organized events. 

"Hands Across the Sand is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations," according to a website for the event. "This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry."

The event's message is NO to offshore drilling, YES to clean energy, and it's also spread to other countries. The idea is to have people meet at their local beaches at 11 a.m., June 26, in their time zone, and join hands at noon for 15 minutes. 

In Michigan, lines are planned around the mitten, in Alpena, Brownstown, Glen Arbor, Grand Haven, Marquette, Monroe, Mount Clemens, Muskegon and Traverse City. 

Will you join in? What happens after the water's "15 minutes of fame" are up? Can human chains lead to change?