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More Than One Million Americans Join “Caylee’s Law” Campaign
By Anonymous — Monday, July 11th, 2011
Oklahoma woman’s Change.org petition urging lawmakers to create “Caylee’s Law” attracts more than one million supporters in less than a week; at least 18 state legislatures will introduce proposal WASHINGTON, DC – In less than one week, more than one million Americans have joined an Oklahoma woman’s Change.org campaign calling for the creation of “Caylee’s Law,” which would make it a felony for a parent to fail to report a missing child to law enforcement -- resulting in the introduction of “Caylee’s Law” legislation in at least 18 states. The New York Times reports that the Change.org petition "calling for action from everyone from state representatives to members of Congress to President Obama" has been the driving force behind legislation. Oklahoma State Representative Paul Wesselhoft told ABC News that the Change.org “petition has forced action” in his state. The million-person movement on Change.org advocating for “Caylee's Law” is a sign that people who have been following the case want to do more than just express their frustration -- they want to do something about it. “This is the most positive and productive reaction I have seen to the not guilty verdict of Caylee's Mother, Casey Anthony. Let's prevent this from happening to any other children in the future,” said Judi Siciliano, a 58-year-old grandmother of four from Bayville, NJ. “In Caylee's Memory, I choose to sign the petition.” Tiffany Borders of Columbus, OH, signed the Change.org petition and wrote, “I am a mother of 3 beautiful girls, and if for any reason they were gone for even an hour and I didn't know where they were I would be frantic and call the police, the national guard, the news media, anyone who could help me. I hope this petition changes the law and helps hold parent[s] accountable.” The campaign’s momentum continues to grow. More than 18 states are considering a version of Caylee’s Law. Legislators in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia have all announced that they are drafting versions of “Caylee’s Law” prompted by the petition on Change.org. State legislators in Massachusetts (Bradley H. Jones, Jr. - R) and Tennessee (Mike McDonald - R) have also told Change.org members they are considering proposing “Caylee’s Law.” “It’s remarkable to see how this Change.org petition has had such immediate practical impact in state legislatures across the country,” said Change.org founder Ben Rattray. “It’s a clear demonstration of how Change.org’s online platform enables people to take powerful collective action on the issues that are important to them in everyday life.” The Washington Times has described Change.org as a way to ”convert...passion for causes into action that makes a difference.” The Sacramento Bee writes that “Change.org...is revolutionizing how ordinary people can effect social change by starting online signature campaigns targeting lawmakers, companies and nations.” And a New York Times feature highlights how Change.org’s “profile has skyrocketed with its involvement in several high-profile issues.” Live signature totals from the “Caylee’s Law” petition on Change.org: Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 300,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country. About Change.org |
