2. “ I’m the fourth generation living here at the beach, and I have two young kids that I’m raising here. When I found out that the oil might make it’s way over here, I just had this feeling like, ‘not if I have anything to do with it’. Then I chose Facebook because it was a free, simple and easy way to connect with people here.” -Erin Rodriguez, founder of Protect Our Beach!

3. Created only a few weeks ago by Atlantic Beach native Erin Rodriguez, Protect Our Beach! (or P.O.B.) for short, already has over 100 followers. It was created because Erin was unable to find any local response to the oil spill- or any plan if the oil were to come to the First Coast. Since creating the group, she has kept members informed about the three beaches’ (Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach) response plan if oil should reach our shores.

5. We’re trying to figure out what will happen if we see this when we go to the beach....

6. Plenty of other people have been using social media to express about the oil spill.

7. After gathering information from city officials, she was able to enlist followers, and publicize an event, “Hands Across the Sand” with The Ripple Effect non-profit, a nationwide protest to offshore drilling. The group posted about the event on June 24, and the actual event was held at noon on June 26. Over 300 people attended.

10. Group leaders interacted with local beach businesses to tell them about the group forming,and many asked if they could display the flyer in their window. One such business even provided the tea for the participants in “Hands Across the Sand”.

12. And that’s the story of Protect Our Beach, a social media driven movement! This group is a great lesson on how conventional tactics and the speed and accessibility of social media can work together to get things done.

13. Keep the Beach a place for the community to gather!