PETITION FACT SHEET

(NOTE:  Petitions not available online anymore.  They were once hosted by: http://www.petitiononline.com)

One of the tools that the pathtofreedom web site has been using to effect the return of Elian to his father is the online petition.  In addition to a national petition started in December, the web site has promoted the 'Send Elian Gonzalez Home' - an international petition authored by Jules Dervaes.

• January 2, 2000:  Starting date.  The idea came about when Mark L. of England asked if there were a way to include people from other nations who also felt strongly about ending this injustice.

• January 31, 2000:  First submission with 4,015 entries.  The URL was emailed to the President and to the United Nations.  Also a hard copy was sent in the mail.  National and global press releases of the web site and petition were issued.

• February 28, 2000:  Second submission with an additional 809 entries (Total: 4,824).  Again the URL was e mailed to the President and the United Nations and a hard copy was sent in the mail.

• Week Of March 19, 2000:  The URL of this petition was e mailed or faxed to the Senators, Representatives, Governors and Government Officials of the United States, included with the commentary 'A Kick In The Rear.'  This information was also submitted to ALL major U.S. newspapers.

• March 31, 2000:  Third submission with an additional 2,136 entries (Total:  6,960).  Again the URL was e mailed to the President and the United Nations and a hard copy was sent in the mail.

• April 3, 2000:  The URL of this petition with 7,500 entries was e mailed to the President and the United Nations.

• April 14, 2000:  The URL of this petition with 11,000 entries was e mailed to the President and other Government Officials.

• April 21, 2000:  The URL of this petition with over 16,000 entries was e mailed to the President, Attorney General and other Government Officials along with the commentary 'Lazaro's Law'

• April 30, 2000:  Fourth submission along with over 20,000 entries was e mailed to the President, the United Nations, and other Government Officials. 

• TOTAL:  The petition has 21,438 entries (closed).

Some of the foreign countries that are represented in this petition are:  Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Argentina, Philippines, and others.

In addition to this international petition there were the following grass roots actions in the Elian campaign:

• National Petition to the President  --  1,131 entries (closed).  Submitted on February 28, 2000.

• Super Bowl Boycott -- 631 pledges (closed).  Submitted hard copy & URL to ABC on January 31, 2000.

• Petition to a Florida Senator authored by Debbie B. -- 155 (closed) Submitted on January 17, 200.

• Proactive Boycott Of Merchants Of Misery -- with 4,858 pledges.  Submitted the URL to ABC & CBS on March 26, 2000.

• Action Packets (petition, flyers, posters, and articles) -- mailed to over 185 individuals and organizations to be distributed in their local areas.

Personal message:

The comments in these petitions makes each one unique and exceptional; one can hear the voices of reason, of anger, and of empathy.  People understand that Elian--his childhood, his innocence--has been sacrificed for political gain.