Members of the Iowa Citizen Action Network and MoveOn.org, along with Story County residents, gathered outside the office of congressman Tom Latham, R-Iowa, on Thursday afternoon to voice their opinion on the Iraq war and to deliver letters urging him to re-evaluate his stance on the war.

The letters were written by citizens from the fourth congressional district and focused on their opposition to the escalation of troops in Iraq. The group assembled at noon carrying bright yellow signs showing a “wrong way” street sign that read, “Iraq Escalation? Wrong Way” in the center.

The demonstration was in response to Latham’s vote last Friday against a nonbinding resolution that expressed congressional opposition to the president’s plan to increase troop occupation in Iraq by 21,500 soldiers.

Phillip Cryan, program director for ICAN, said the goal of the demonstration was to give Latham the message “you’re the decider” and explain the importance of bringing the troops home.

“I think the primary thing is we would like to see him take a firm public position [on the war],” Cryan said. “We don’t know what the next piece of legislation will be, but we would like to see him vote on the side of the majority.”

The letters were personally handed to Daniel Barrett, staff assistant for Latham, by Sue Dinsdale of Huxley. Latham was not present to receive the letters or comment at that time.

Dinsdale said her son Jesse served as a combat engineer with the 62nd Engineering Battalion for two tours in Iraq, but is now finished serving and in the process of rebuilding his life.

Dinsdale said she is begging Latham to take the politics out of the issue and make a decision.

“When my son was in Iraq I felt like I was sleepwalking through my life,” she said. “I can not stand to think of another family waiting and wondering, unable to enjoy themselves because they are worried about a loved one in harms way.”

The citizens present were eager to voice their displeasure for Latham’s stance on the issue.

According to an ICAN press release, the gathering was one of more than 225 held across the country by the members of MoveOn.org and Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.