The will of the people

Protesters against a county parking garage and a state study to consolidate or dissolve the island cities line the sand April 13 at Manatee Public Beach for a Hands Across the Sand demonstration. Rally organizers said more than 300 people attended. More, page 5. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Barbara Ehren, director of an April 13 Hands Across the Sand rally, leads participants in a protest of a county parking garage proposed for the Manatee Public Beach and a study on the possible dissolution of the three island cities as proposed by state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton. “We’re going to be very vocal about keeping the identity of our island cities,” Ehren said. “We want to let legislators know that we know what’s going on and we are not going to have it.” Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Carolyn Orshak of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society displays her “AMI — three unique cities, one island paradise” T-shirt during the April 13 hands across the sand event at Manatee Public Beach.

Holmes Beach resident Barabara Saywell fills out a letter of protest April 13 during a Hands Across the Sand protest at Manatee Public Beach.

Chris and Elaine Wenckus of Holmes Beach fill out paperwork April 13 protesting the possible dissolution of the island municipal governments during a Hands Across the Sand event at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The forms signed during the event are headed for the desk of state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, who, during a Jan. 12 Manatee County Legislative Delegation meeting, proposed legislation aimed at building a parking garage in Holmes Beach and a state study on consolidating the island cities.