This weekend, locals concerned about red tide, and the recent influx of 800 tons of dead fish, will march in St. Petersburg to demand increased protections of waterways.
Organized by Suncoast Surfrider foundation, the Florida Suncoast Sierra Club, If I Brewed The World and Urban Kai, the protest begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at the St. Pete Pier and ends at the North Shore Volleyball Courts.
According to a press release from Surfrider Foundation chair, Thomas Paterek, the state’s inaction has propelled the flood of dead fish.
“Failure to enact policies that protect the environment and long term climate denial have created the current disaster in Tampa Bay,” said the statement. “The Tampa Bay community is demanding that our state leaders declare the current Red Tide crisis a state of emergency.”
As of now, a Facebook event page for the rally says about 80 people will be attending.
Besides demanding that Gov. DeSantis declare a state of emergency, organizers also want local polluters to pay, the protestors demand a plan for Piney Point closure, a mandate for recommendations from local experts, termination of phosphate mining in Florida, updates to Florida’s infrastructure and statewide clean energy transition targets.
This week, Mayor Kriseman echoed similar sentiments, asking for assistance from DeSantis. “Our city teams can only keep at this for so long,” he said during the news conference. “We are asking the governor, please ... we need your help,” said Kriseman.
A spokesperson for DeSantis told a reporter for 10 Tampa Bay the state can’t declare a state of emergency but that the Delayed Environmental Protection is providing grants to affected counties.
“I don't care how our city receives assistance,” Kriseman responded. “Whether it's the governor declaring an emergency or his DEP doing something...I just need more boats.”
Regardless, the protestors are calling for more. “This rally highlights the dire need for meaningful action by Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and multiple state and regional agencies,” Paterek said in a statement.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team works tirelessly to bring you news on how coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter.
