St. Pete protesters outraged with BP

ST. PETERSBURG - Some people aren't waiting for the investigation into the oil spill to be completed; they are angry now, frustrated with British Petroleum's efforts cap the leak.

Protests are going on around the country, including here in the Bay Area.

The wider the spill, the bigger the threat to Florida's precious shorelines.

On Wednesday, protesters like Steve Bray waved signs and voiced their outrage at BP for the economic and environmental damage he says the oil company has already caused.

"I can't imagine what's going to happen to this state I love, Florida, and I can't image what BP has done to us," said Bray.

The group known as St. Pete for Peace rallied at a BP gas station on 62nd Avenue North, where emotions spilled out.

When demonstrators like Melissa Bray think of the sea life that will affected by the huge spill,

"I cry almost every night," demonstrator Melissa Bray said, describing her thoughts about the sea life that will be affected by the spill. "I love it here and even if I didn't live here, one can still have an appreciation for the earth and for nature. It's very, very sad."

While demonstrations were playing out in St. Petersburg, Governor Charley Crist was at the State Capitol, asking BP to pay up.

The governor wants $35 million in emergency funds for an ad campaign that will provide a financial safety net to the state's tourism industry.

The hope is to reach people worldwide and assure them that Florida's beaches are pristine and oil-free.

"We are already indirectly impacted," said Governor Crist. "I can tell you, from being in the Panhandle this weekend, as it relates to hotels and restaurant tours, charter boat fisherman and some of the reservations that are suffering as a result."

While the oil continues to spill, new information is surfacing about the explosion that caused the massive mess.
This week, lawmakers learned there were several glitches and procedural problems that were ignored, which officials say may have contributed to the disaster.

And that is just more ammunition for those protesting against the oil giant.

BP has already given Florida $25 million for spill-related expenses. The governor says some of that money may be used for the ad campaign.