'Save Terri' Petition Shows Public Passionately Opposes Court-Ordered Death
by Allie Martin
February 25, 2005
(AgapePress) - An online petition asking Florida's governor and lawmakers to save a disabled woman facing court-ordered, forced starvation and dehydration is getting a massive response. As the 48-hour stay of the court-ordered removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube ticks away, the pro-life signatures protesting her killing are adding up.More than 5,000 people an hour are signing the "Petition to Save Terri Schiavo," an online petition sponsored by the Center for Reclaiming America, an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries. Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of the Center, will deliver the petitions to Florida Governor Jeb Bush and state lawmakers today (February 25).
Schiavo is a 41-year-old woman who suffered brain damage after falling ill in 1990, and whose estranged husband has battled her parents in court for years in an attempt to end her life. Cass believes the disabled woman's case is one that has widespread implications for all of America. "This isn't just a Florida issue," he says. "I think everybody understands that if this sort of thing happens in Florida, it's coming to a state near you."
However, the Center spokesman feels there is reason to hope that Florida officials will intervene on Terri Shiavo's behalf. "I'm very encouraged," he says. "It seems as if the latest communications coming out of the governor's office is that he is going to do everything that he can, and many government leaders and litigation experts are working very diligently to craft legislation and legal strategies to try to preserve Terri's life."
But Cass feels it is important that citizen pro-lifers get involved in the battle their representatives are waging. "We need to let them know that we're watching," he says. "I believe Governor Bush's heart is to do the right thing; but you know, when you get opinions from different attorneys -- I think some people have been telling the governor that he had exhausted all of his options."
However, Cass believes much can still be done to save Terri Schiavo and points out that a number of concerned people are expending all their effort and expertise to find a way. "I know that there have been many strategy meetings going on behind the scenes with lawmakers and attorneys and experts, to come up with a viable solution that will be upheld in court," he says.
The director of the Center for Reclaiming America also makes note of the thousands of concerned individuals all over the country who are likewise doing what they can to help. "The fact that this petition campaign, which began just yesterday [Wednesday], has generated online signatures at the enormous rate of 5,000 per hour underscores how passionate people across the nation feel about this issue," he asserts.
Cass says the people going online to access the petitions are conscientious people who "want to see Terri spared from the cruel and inhumane death by starvation and dehydration that may commence [Friday] at 5:00 p.m." He adds that the Center and all of Terri's supporters appreciate the energy, concern, and effort that Governor Bush and others have expended in seeking ways to save Terri's life.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
