Petition calls for U.S. to ‘Moveon’ from Iraq

By LISA CHAPMAN / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

David Clark, left, delivers the petition signed by 357 residents of the 4th District to Sammy Lowdermilk, right, at Rep. Lincoln Davis’ office in McMinnville. Along with signatures, many wrote statements that were read at the presentation. (Lisa Chapman

Volunteers from Moveon.org assembled Wednesday at the McMinnville office of Congressman Lincoln Davis to deliver a petition signed by 357 residents of the 4th District.

“We just want representatives to know how we feel,” said David Clark, referring to the war in Iraq. “It’s time to bring our troops home before even more of them die.”

Similar events were held at 287 congressional districts nationwide on Wednesday. The petitions were delivered by over 25,000 volunteers.

During the presentation, remarks were made by Clark, as well as others in attendance, urging Rep. Davis to join with other members of Congress in calling for an exit strategy to bring the troops home in 2006.

“Our troops are spread thin and we lose good Americans every day,” said Jonathan Holland of Crossville, on the petition he signed. “The patriotic thing to do is to end this as soon as possible and bring our troops home. How many died in Vietnam because there were not enough brave elected officials to stand up and bring them home sooner?”

In all, there were 400,000 signatures nationwide, according to Clark. Along with signatures, many others made comments about their feelings concerning the war in Iraq.

The petition was presented to Sammy Lowdermilk, who staffs the local office.