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As protests go - it was probably the most spectacular Jersey has known.
An estimated seven thousand people stood shoulder-to-shoulder along the full length of St Ouen's Bay - from Le Braye to L'Etacq.
They were showing support for the National Trust campaign to protect the character of the island's coast.
The Line In The Sand was staged to show politicians just how strongly people feel about intrusive coastal development.
Mike Stentiford, President of the National Trust for Jersey, gave us this reaction:-
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One of the people the protest was aiming to influence was the Minister for Planning and Environment, Senator Freddie Cohen.
He attended the event as an observer and says while he can't promise there'll be no further developments on the coastline, he was very impressed with the turnout.
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Video: Part of the footage contained in the video at the top of the page is courtesy of BBC Jersey.
Posted By: mike stentiford on 07-Oct-2009
Thank you one and all for your kind words and comments - it was a memorable day but only thanks to you and your fantastic support. We live in a remarkably beautiful island - we must all try to keep it that way - do you hear that States members?
Posted By: Andy, St. Brelade on 06-Oct-2009
What a fantastic turn out on Sunday, the poeple of Jersey have spoken. If the P&E Minister is unable to protect our coast line then the States need to start passing laws that will.
Posted By: Andy, St Ouen on 06-Oct-2009
I think it's great that so many people turned out for this event. However, (being the eternal pessimist that the Jersey States have made me over the last few years), the planning department will probably ignore this in the same way the States ignored a certain 19,000 signature petition they were presented with not too long ago..!
Posted By: Eileen, St Clement on 05-Oct-2009
All too often we feel powerless to influence what happens in our island, but yesterday I was so proud to be a Jerseywoman standing with thousands of fellow islanders, all showing how passionately we appreciate our coastal environment. Surely this must influence future policy for the better. Leadership was what it took to give us this great opportunity to stand and be counted. Heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Mike and the National Trust,
Posted By: Carole, St Clement on 05-Oct-2009
Well done Mike, look how your enthusiasm encourage so many air their feelings and show how we all need to presderve our coastal heritage. I hope planners will have been impressed with this event.
Posted By: Roger Noel on 05-Oct-2009
Well done to Mike Stentiford and the National Trust for organising such an event. Those politicians who could not be bothered to turn up would do well to remember that there were more people in St Ouens bay today than most of them had in votes to get elected. The truth is that most people in Jersey are fed up with our coastline being destroyed.
Posted By: Sue & Keith, St. Clement on 05-Oct-2009
Congratulations to the National Trust and Mike Stentiford for organising such a good natured and effective event. The people of Jersey have, in their thousands, shown their feelings about inappropriate coastal development and the need to preserve our coastal heritage. Planners take note!
Posted By: karen and nigel st. ouen on 05-Oct-2009
thank you to Mike and your team for all your hard work we felt it a privilege to take part in this event and show our support to preserve our wonderful coastline.
Posted By: Mitch St Clement on 05-Oct-2009
well done to Mike and the team it was a great way to show our support lets hope that planning will take note of what us people think and that we want to preserve out heritage and our coastline. United we stood shoulder to shoulder. Thanks for the opertunity to show the states how we feel.
Posted By: Daniel Allman on 04-Oct-2009
One of the greatest sights I've ever seen.
Was more than a pleasure to be part of it!
Let's hope the message is now received loud and clear
Posted By: vicky boarder Grouville on 04-Oct-2009
Have just returned from St Ouens where my family and I lined up with people of a like mind who all wanted to stand up and be counted, what a fantastic display of togetherness and community, ignore this message at your peril politicians. Proud to be part of it....
Posted By: Heidi Trinity on 04-Oct-2009
I am delighted this was such a success! Unfortunately, I could not be there, but this should certainly send a clear message that there are many islanders who do not want to see the island coast further spoilt. Let's preserve the uniqueness of our island heritage, and not allow further unsypathetic development.
Well done, Mike and team for the lead you have given.
Posted By: Sabina, Michel, Ben, Sam and Max, St. Brelade on 04-Oct-2009
We are very happy to have been able to take part in this fantastic gathering of thousands of people and to have been able to show our support to Mr. Stentiford and the National Trust. Our coastline is very precious - we only have this one and we should treat it with respect, not with profit in mind!! We really hope that this event today opened the eyes off all the Politicians and Developers, and make them realise what an important part of our life coast and country are!!
Posted By: myra noyce on 04-Oct-2009
hi.having just returned from your beautiful island of jersey of which,my parents are islanders and i,ve visiting twice/three times yearly,to see such togetherness for the belief in protecting the coastline is just amazing i,ve only just returned from st.brelade,s otherwise i would have been there with you all,keep up the good work,myra,new forest,england
Posted By: Richard. St Lawrence on 04-Oct-2009
This was a resounding message to our planners from the many thousands of islanders, from pensioners to younger people, whom voted with their feet in the largest protest in living memory. I was there and we stood shoulder to shoulder, united in common resolve. Well done to Mike Stentiford and his team for giving the people of Jersey the opportunity to express their united and deep held frustration at the erosion of our coastline and countryside by planning decisions, which have for far too long, abjecated the law on preserving our fragile and precious coastline and countryside.
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04/10/2009
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