Today we began the signature review, and with much promise! The first step: to do a recount of the signatures the Board of Elections did validate. And, after counting only 5 out of 52 volumes, we have found the Board of Elections reported 229 signatures fewer than what they actually validated inside the volumes. If their count continues to be off at the same rate, we will gain some 2,300 signatures - SIMPLY BY RECOUNTING THE ONES THAT WERE ALREADY VALIDATED. And we have already identified one petitioner who collected hundreds of signatures and was wrongly invalidated, along with all the signatures he gathered! And there are thousands of invalidated signatures ripe for challenging because the signer is on the voter roll but put their wrong address - these signatures will also be deemed valid if the signature on the petition matches the signature on their voter registration form.

In short, we have every reason to be optimistic that we will eclipse the 30,000 requirement, and that we will have our day in court to argue our right to establish a new commission to investigate 9/11.

We need help. We have 9 more business days to finish our review, and we have no more than 8 volunteers signed up to help on any day. We can use 20 volunteers per day, and we will need that many to get the job done. If you live in or around NYC, please give just one or two business days between now and next Friday, August 21. Whether you can give one day or five days, please email us at volunteer@nyccan.org with your name, phone number and schedule of availability, and please put VOLUNTEER in the subject field. Come get a free lunch and be part of this historic recount!

The last month has seen some very positive coverage, and it will grow after we prove valid the thousands of signatures wrongly invalidated by the City Clerk and Board of Elections. If you haven't read this great coverage, take a look! Below the headlines is our most recent press release, which should also give you a much clearer picture of what is going on legally.

And, we are in negotiations with an outstanding election lawyer to represent us in court after we eclipse the 30,000 requirement. We will update you as soon as the agreement is finalized.

Together we are making history. Thank you!

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A Star Ledger Reporter, August 9: http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2009/08/911_survivors_call_for_renewed.html

The Villager, July 28 - August 4: http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2009/08/911_survivors_call_for_renewed.html

The New York Post, July 14: http://www.nypost.com/seven/07142009/news/regionalnews/kin_eye_9_11_panel_179145.htm