ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (WFLA) – The Suncoast Surfrider Foundation is hosting a Red Tide rally on Saturday morning. The organization invites the public to join them as it demands accountability from leaders.
“Let’s come together. Let’s be a collective voice. Let’s rally for those who have no voice and make some demands from our governor on how we can stop this,” said Thomas Paterek, chairman of the Suncoast Surfrider Foundation.
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He said it was screams from the community that led to the rally.
“That affects our tourism. It affects our way of life. I’m just half a mile from the water and wake up suffocated. That’s not okay, ”said Paterek.
The rally will take place on July 17th at 10am at the base of St. Pete Pier, where people can see the devastation of the blooms.
Paterek told 8 On Your Side that he hopes the group can discuss solutions but ultimately he wants elected officials to rise.
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“In the short term, we have to declare a state of emergency on our local waterways. We need funding. We need workers. We need people to clean up the dead, rotting fish on our beaches, just for the quality of life. In the medium term, we need nationwide fertilizer bans. Fertilizer feeds these flowers. Red tide occurs naturally, but its size does not occur naturally. This is due to the human consistency. In the long term, phosphate degradation must be banned entirely. “
Local leaders are expected to speak at this demonstration as well.
The post St. Petersburg organization plans Red Tide rally first appeared on Daily Florida Press.
from Daily Florida Press https://dailyfloridapress.com/st-petersburg-organization-plans-red-tide-rally/
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