The petition, posted on Change.org on Friday, has so far attracted 500 signatures from Curry loyalists intent on keeping her face on the morning airwaves.
"Dear Today Show at NBC," the petition reads. "We Love Ann Curry! Ann Curry Loves us and the Today Show!"
The petition was launched by Phoenix. Ariz. resident Stephen Crowley, an Iraq war veteran who says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and that Curry's presence on the "Today" show has had a steadying influence on him.
"One of the things that gives me a sense of calm and certainty in life is Ann Curry's compassionate style of journalism," Crowley says on the petition's web page. "Ann Curry's sensitivity to the human experience telegraphs through her journalism, to me and many other fans and viewers. Her compassion and dedication to her audience radiates every time she stands in front of a camera. She connects with people. She has definitely connected with me."
As reported earlier this week, Curry and NBC are negotiating her exit from the morning program, with a decision on her departure coming as early as next week. Curry has reportedly hired attorney Robert Barnett -- who represented Christiane Amanpour during her exit from ABC News' "This Week" -- to represent her in the negotiations.
According to a report in the New York Times, Curry could shift into a foreign correspondent position for NBC.
Along with the signatures, the petition has drawn passionate testimony from Curry fans who are distraught over the possibility of her departure.
"Ann Curry is the best personality on the show," one commenter asserts. "If she leaves the show I'll switch to 'GMA.'"
"Sorry NBC, if Ann goes, I go," another Curry partisan vowed. "Cable has much more to offer in the mornings these days, so I won't stick with 'Today' if she's gone.”
