This petition requests that the President-Elect open up all areas of the National Mall to the public to view the Swearing-In ceremonies on Jan. 20, 2009!
We the undersigned are writing to request that you consider suspending the current ticketing process and OPEN the ENTIRE NATIONAL Mall to the public to participate in the Swearing-In ceremonies on Jan. 20th, 2009.
We make this request as we feel that one of the hallmarks of your campaign was the unprecedented steps taken to open up the process to those of us who previously had not been involved. Your efforts to engage us have been evident on many levels starting with the encouragement of small donations by folks like us.
These efforts continued with your campaign's tireless efforts to register new voters and encourage those of us who hadn't been active to rejoin the process in hopes of promoting CHANGE in Washington. The culmination of these efforts was your opening the Democratic National Convention to allow for more citizens to be a part of your acceptance speech.
We the undersigned, represent the millions of people who want to experience your Inauguration but under the current system are unsure as to whether this will be an option. We have contacted our Members of Congress who face a demand for tickets that greatly exceeds the supply.
What we ask is that adjustments be made to the current plan that will open ALLof the previously ticket-restricted areas to the general public. By doing so, you will reiterate your stated goals of mobilizing the masses to make change in Washington.
Who are we? We are a diverse group of people who desire to experience this historic day. We are senior citizens who previously thought that our lifetime would pass without witnessing this historic moment in our nation's history. We are parents who look forward to sharing this day with our children, many of whom expressed interest in this election that made us proud. We are first-time voters, who now see that out votes can make a difference. We are campaign supporters who knocked on doors, made phone calls, contributed our resources, and celebrated as the results came in!
We thank your for your consideration of our request and look forward to sharing this historic moment in our nation's history on Jan. 20th, 2009 on the National Mall!
