Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Keith Ellison is campaigning to become the next leader of the Democratic Party. Keith's candidacy represents the idea that while we must never yield an inch in defending the promises of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights for all of our fellow Americans - regardless of the color of their skin, or where they were born, or how they pray, or whom they love - when we go to fight elections, our economic justice agenda must be front and center. Unfortunately, bad-faith actors have unleashed a scurrilous smear campaign against Keith, which some fear may derail his candidacy. Show your support for Keith's candidacy and your condemnation of the smear campaign against him by signing our petition. References: Key Keith documents: Keith platform: https://keithfordnc.org/platform/ Keith endorsements: https://keithfordnc.org/endorsements Keith statement on Medium: https://medium.com/@ellisonforcongress/listening-more-talking-less-2bb36e171dca Keith open letter to the ADL: https://twitter.com/keithellison/status/804452986110013440 Important pushback against the smear campaign: J Street: http://jstreet.org/press-releases/continuing-attacks-congressman-ellison-seek-silence-legitimate-positions-israel/ Americans for Peace Now https://peacenow.org/entry.php?id=21512 Bend the Arc: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/bendthearc/ellison JVP: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/jvp/ellison R. Marc Schneier: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/jta/ellison Emily Hauser https://twitter.com/emilylhauser/status/805500893332439041 Chuck Schumer: https://twitter.com/gdebenedetti/status/804460430785650689 Bernie Sanders: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/bernie-sanders-support-keith-ellison-231185 http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/keith-ellison-dnc-resistance-231575 Randi Weingarten: https://www.facebook.com/randi.weingarten.9/posts/10154757721829524 JJ Goldberg: http://forward.com/opinion/355950/no-the-keith-ellison-tape-isnt-anti-israel-and-shouldnt-torpedo-his-democra/ Jay Michaelson: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/02/squabble-over-keith-ellison-reveals-dilemma-for-democrats-on-israel.html Ilya Sheyman: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1707 Gene Sperling: https://twitter.com/genebsperling/status/804532939912609792 Glenn Greenwald: https://theintercept.com/2016/12/04/the-smear-campaign-against-keith-ellison-is-repugnant-but-reveals-much-about-washington/

Because time is of the essence, and President Obama can make reparations to Native Americans and change the course of history before he leaves office.

To protest the divisive and destructive cabinet picks of Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions by Donald Trump. Although white supremacy and racial discrimination pose dangers that are unique to specific segments of the citizenry, the 2016 presidential election demonstrated that they present a combined threat to American democracy and stability and therefore endanger all citizens.

I am extremely alarmed that the violation of human rights at Standing Rock may set a precedent for the future. President Obama's silence is hard to believe. He should take a stand against these violations as a way of representing the voice of Americans who find the treatment of Standing Rock protesters to be a shameful episode in our history.

Inspired by statements by Senators Bernie Sanders, Tom Udall, Al Franken, Cory Booker, and Martin Heinrich, among a few others, I wrote this petition for this reason alone: under the coming administration, we must prevent continued inexcusable brutality, violence, tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, high frequency sound waves, and attack dogs from further injuring the Sioux, other Native Americans, and their supporters encamped at Standing Rock, several key United States Senators have spoken out already. This petition is directed to them. These Senators include incoming California's incoming Kamala Harris and North Dakota's Democrat Senator Heidi Breitkamp, plus Senator Durbin, Senator Schumer, and Senator Patty Murray, the 3 Senate Democrats in leadership positions. We ask them to enlarge their roles by going beyond speeches, and to personally visit Standing Rock, meet with the opposition, including law enforcement and the corporations involved to make reasonable progress, and to reach a workable non-violent resolution that respects the wishes of the Standing Rock Sioux.

The Standing Rock Sioux and native peoples of North America have suffered enough under colonization and its time we support them in general and especially in their efforts to combat the climate change causing pollution problem danger to the world that is the Dakota Access Pipeline.

UPDATE: Ace Hardware has issued a statement saying that all their stores are now selling propane and other supplies to all shoppers, including the water protectors at Standing Rock and those supporting and supplying them! ***** Ace Hardware stores near the Standing Rock DAPL protest in North Dakota are refusing to sell supplies to the water protector camp, or to anyone who is planning to help support or supply the camp. Ace says the Morton County Sheriff's department has asked (not ordered) them not to sell supplies, and they are complying with the request. This is immoral and indefensible, cutting off peaceful protesters who are working to protect their sacred lands and waters from the supplies, including propane, that they need in order to survive the winter. The water protectors' camp includes Elders and children, and they are at terrible risk of injury and death without the ability to get the supplies for heating and shelter that they need. Ace MUST do the right thing and continue to sell supplies to the water protectors and those who are helping to support and supply them.

I stand with the water protectors at Standing Rock. They need to be able to cook dinner and keep warm. It's wrong for ACE Hardware to interfere in a protest and harm activists.

Major Corporations should not be allowed to abuse peaceful demonstrators who are concerned about the enviroment. Private Corporations should not be allowed to use military action against any group or persons. We cannot allow big oil to use and abuse what belongs to all of us.

To let Shiyé Bidzííl document and post events happening at the Standing Rock - NODAPL protest.

Trump’s election has put the Standing Rock Sioux and the Water Protectors fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline in grave danger. Not only is Donald Trump an actual investor in Energy Transfer Partners, the corporation responsible for building the pipeline, the corporation’s CEO even donated to Trump’s campaign! Now more than ever we need to we add our voices to amplify theirs. That is what the Standing Rock Sioux are asking for, and we need them to know we will be here for them. Add your name here to let the Water Protectors know they aren’t alone in fighting to protect Mother Earth.

How are voters on any side able to believe in an election when there have been mention of fraud, rigged systems and millions of illegal votes cast in this election? President elect, Donald J. Trump is the individual reponsible for making these statements. There has to be a legal response, as this declaration creates a vote lacking in confidence. Sign this petition to declare your desire for a National Recall Effort or a re-vote as "millions of votes were cast illegally" as made public by Donald J. Trump. NO FAITH IN VALID/LEGAL ELECTORAL PROCESS!