For signature by CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA only please as the Senators are only influenced by their own constituents!! Check MoveOn for a petition addressed to your Senator. The Gorsuch nomination is scheduled for vote in the Senate on April 7, 2017, so, if you oppose the nomination, please sign this petition at your earliest convenience. Senator Warner announced on April 3, after this petition was posted, that he opposes Judge Gorsuch's nomination and will join in the filibuster of that nomination by Senator Kaine and others. I hope you'll still sign this petition to show Senators Kaine and Warner that we support their position and want them to hold fast to that decision despite political pressure and dealings that will inevitably occur over the next few days. Please take a moment to call Senator Kaine (202-224-4024) and Senator Warner (202-224-2023) to tell them of your opposition to and your support for their opposition to Judge Gorsuch. OUR CALLS DO MATTER as I've been told by every legislator with whom I've spoken in recent months! The following are but a few of the objections and concerns raised by the nomination of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court: 1) Hearings and vote on President Trump's SCOTUS nominees must not proceed unless President Trump and his campaign and transition teams are cleared of collusion with Russian officials/operatives who interfered in our 2016 Presidential Election. 2) Republicans effectively stole the SCOTUS seat. President Obama, by right and obligation, nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the SCOTUS. Republicans, contrary to their Constitutional duty and Senate rules and protocol, denied Judge Garland a hearing and a vote. This unprincipled behavior should not be condoned or rewarded. Confirming Judge Gorsuch in these circumstances sets a dangerous precedent and signals that Republicans can act contrary to our Constitution and be rewarded for their misconduct. 3) Judge Gorsuch was nominated by President Trump to fulfill his promise that the next Associate Justice will have an ultra conservative judicial philosophy like Justice Antonin Scalia and will vote to "automatically overturn" Roe v. Wade. 4) While Judge Gorsuch claims to be apolitical, his nomination is supported by a publicity campaign funded by millions of dollars of "Dark Money" from largely unknown, apparently conservative, sources (reportedly linked to a network tied to the Koch brothers). 5) Confirmation of Judge Gorsuch, who is 49, will have a profound and enduring effect on our Nation as his philosophy and predilections will likely shape the views of the Court for more than 30 years. 6) During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Gorsuch was evasive and refused to answer legitimate questions designed to reveal his judicial philosophy. 7) Judge Gorsuch is a proponent of "originalism" (and will apply the words of the U. S. Constitution as they were understood at the time they were written - 1789 - when slavery existed and women could not vote) and "textualism" (and will look solely to the objective meaning of the text of a statute rather than to the legislative intent or statutory purpose), an approach not likely to protect and forward the civil rights of women and minorities. 8) As evidenced by his prior opinions as a Judge of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and his extrajudicial writings, Judge Gorsuch will most certainly undo our country's progress in so many areas and prevent its progress in others, in part, as outlined below : ** Women's Reproductive Rights - See a) Burwell v. Holly Lobby Stores in which Judge Gorsuch interpreted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to permit a corporate employer to refuse to provide its employees with medical insurance including comprehensive contraceptive coverage because it conflicted with the corporate employer's religious beliefs and b) Assisted Suicide by Judge Gorsuch (2006), where he expresses skepticism of the Constitutional basis of a woman's right to choose abortion. ** Separation of Church and State - In Holly Lobby, Judge Gorsuch essentially found that the religious beliefs of a closely held corporation supersedes the beliefs and the rights of employees. ** Worker Health & Safety - See TransAm Trucking v. Admin Review Board in which Judge Gorsuch sided with the corporate employer and found that a Dept. of Labor rule that a driver can't be fired for failing to operate his vehicle because of safety concerns did not prohibit the firing of an employee who temporarily left a disabled truck trailer along the roadway in sub-zero temperatures to seek shelter at a nearby location in the truck cab. ** LGBTQ Rights - Judge Gorsuch's reasoning in the Holly Lobby case has already been used to allow individuals to discriminate against the LGBTQ community (See EEOC v. R.G. & G.R. Funeral Homes, Inc.). Judge Gorsuch has also expressed admiration for Justice Antonin Scalia, also an "originalist" who wrote that our Constitution DOES NOT protect against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. As Judge Gorsuch is also a proponent of originalism, it follows that he will not likely be inclined to protect and extend the civil rights for the LGBTQ community. ** Environmental Protection - Judge Gorsuch has repeatedly denied court challenges brought by environmental protection groups against those who damage our environment. See, for example, Wilderness Society v. Kaine County. He also will likely restrict the ability of federal agency experts to implement federal laws enacted to preserve our planet and halt the progress of climate change. See, for example, Gutierrez-Brizuela v. Lynch. ** Campaign Finance Reform - In his concurring opinion in Riddle v. Hickenlooper, Judge Gorsuch indicated that making a campaign contribution is a "basic constitutional freedom . . . enjoying significant relationship to the right to speak . . .. Thus, it seems unlikely tha...

Our community is strong and resilient, and we deserve to be seen. We Count. The Trump administration's recent decision to remove sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions from HHS surveys, to halt progress on including SOGI questions in the Census and American Community Survey, and to stop evaluation of HUD LGBTQ programs make it seem like the Trump administration doesn't agree. We won't stand for it. We demand to be counted. Reverse the decision not to collect data about LGBTQ people and their families now. We Count, so count us!

I am a Transgender ally and an active member of organizations fighting for Transgender and Immigration justice.

UPDATE: This Petition was started a few years ago after a fatal accident on Highway M in Barnhart, Missouri. That particular accident involved a mother of a student killed after dropping her son off for the day. At that time, the petition was setup, news channels were contacted and many communications were had over the following months with MoDot official, Judy Wagner. The request was submitted to Install traffic lights at Hwy M /St Lukes Church Rd and Hwy M / Moss Hollow Road AND DENIED AT THE TIME WITH MANY REASONS WHY THEY WOULD NOT DO THIS, the main reason given was that the install of traffic lights would cost too much at around $1 million. NOW THE J-TURN project is estimated to cost $1 million. Also stated that stop lights do not work. ROCKPORT School has a stoplight in front of their school as do many other emergency houses in the area that just have flashing lights during the day and become operational during PRIME HOURS needed such as morning and evening rush hours for school and those leaving for and coming home from work. The emergency houses would also have access to have the lights operate when they are in need to leave for emergencies. There are First Responder Houses (Antonia Fire Protection District and Rock Township Ambulance District House 4) as well as Antonia Middle School at those intersections. This results in a large number of school buses and families with children being forced to pull out onto Hwy M, crossing multiple lanes of traffic. These intersections absent of traffic lights with the factor of high speeds by drivers has proven to be hazardous AND CONTINUES TO BE HAZARDOUS TWO YEARS LATER WITH NO CHANGES BY LEGISLATURE AND MODOT. The amount of accidents due to high-speed and excessive traffic on Hwy M is becoming more frequent at both of these intersections, resulting in fatalities and injuries. First Responders were involved while attempting to respond to a call, resulting in injuries and delay for those needing the fire department. There are a number of families in both of these areas that send their children on school buses that are given no other option than to merge across a four-lane highway to transport the children to and from school. At Moss Hollow and Highway M, the traffic coming and going has increased now that the new Estates at Moss Hollow is complete and close to 100 new families moved into the area. (ADDING MINIMUM 100 NEW DRIVERS DAILY). There are MANY kids approaching the driving age so new drivers will be embarking on those intersections as well. Let's take safety into consideration and push Jefferson County to install traffic lights and NOT the proposed J turns AT BOTH INTERSECTIONS for the residents of Barnhart AND SLOW DOWN THE SPEED LIMIT IN A SCHOOL ZONE. As of June 2019 I was informed by Judy Wagner that the proposed construction review was being added to the “ Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan for review.” She informed me that in December 2019 they had met with families in Williamsburg to address this issue and I wa stood other affected subdivisions, including Fountains would be contacted in Spring 2020 to have community forum... I can only assume due to COVID that didn’t happen. CONSIDERATION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN FOR ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS AT MOSS HOLLOW AND THE CONTINUED POSSIBILITY OF GROWTH ON THE ANTONIA CAMPUS, FUTURE ADDITION OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, INCREASING TRAFFIC ON ST LUKES CHURCH ROAD SIGNIFICANTLY SO THIS WARRANTS MAKING CHANGES TO INTERSECTIONS AND LOWERING SPEEDS ALONG HIGHWAY M FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE AND OUR CHILDREN. J turns will greatly affect emergency crews, residents and school bus transportation. THIS PETITION WILL ONCE AGAIN BE SHARED WHEN SIGNED AFTER A FEW WEEKS IN HOPES OF EXPRESSING CONCERN AS A COMMUNITY AND GETTING SOMETHING DONE SOONER THAN TWO YEARS FROM NOW. I HAVE UPDATED TO INCLUDE NEW MODOT AND COMMITTEE CONTACTS.

Please ask your legislators to support Senate Bill 180. The RISE Act, Senate Bill 180, has been introduced into the California Legislature by Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles). It is a key sentencing reform bill in the effort to shift from a failed policy of mass incarceration and jail expansion to social investments that will actually reduce drug use and support vibrant, healthy communities. SB 180 would repeal the current three-year sentence enhancements for prior drug convictions, with the exception of convictions involving a minor. The enhancements are applied consecutively – three years for every prior conviction for possession for sale. Of the 1,700 people now serving sentences longer than five years, many more than 10 years, in county jails; the leading cause is non-violent drug sale offenses. Why is the RISE Act so important? It will: Free up taxpayer dollars for investment in cost-effective community based programs instead of costly jail expansion. Address the extreme sentences that are causing some people to spend 10 years or more in dangerous, overcrowded county jails. Reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Reduce the practice of punishing people who are suffering from a substance disorder. Senate Bill 180 is co-sponsored by American Civil Liberties Union of California; California Public Defenders Association; Californians United for a Responsible Budget; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Drug Policy Alliance; Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Friends Committee on Legislation of California and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott just wrongfully removed the first Black woman State's Attorney in Florida's history from a key case after she heroically pledged not to use the death penalty. Aramis Ayala ran on a daring platform committing to real change for our communities. Her bold move is a direct response to the voters who put her in office, and shows the kind of leadership we need to see from prosecutors across the country. And Gov. Scott is sending a scary and unfair message: the voters’ choice in who they elect to serve real justice does not matter.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott just wrongfully removed the first Black woman state attorney in Florida's history from a key case after she heroically pledged not to use the death penalty. Aramis Ayala ran on a daring platform committing to real change for our communities. Her bold move is a direct response to the voters who put her in office, and shows the kind of leadership we need to see from prosecutors across the country. And Gov. Scott is sending a scary and unfair message: the voters’ choice in who they elect to serve real justice does not matter.

Myself and many others have been the victims of sexual assault and rape by homegrown American men. The idea of using violence against women as an excuse for this Muslim travel ban is absolutely infuriating and demeans the nature of violence against women!

Rep. Steve King's blatant and dangerous racism cannot be tolerated. Despite his outrageous statements, King is still the Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice—which oversees constitutional rights, Federal civil rights, ethics in government, and more. Speaker Paul Ryan tried to distance himself from King's statement with light criticism. But critiques are not enough. King is in no way fit to chair the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice—or any other committee. This weekend, Rep. Steve King of Iowa tweeted his support for a Dutch nationalist politician saying, "We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies." This statement is the latest of King's many racist comments—and he's even doubled down on the statement saying, "I meant exactly what I said." In the same interview, he went further and said, "If we care about our stock, our country, our culture, our civilization—we need to have enough babies to replace ourselves and hopefully grow." Allowing Rep. King to continue to chair the committee further normalizes this terrible brand of racism and hatred. Former KKK leader David Duke and Richard Spencer, another white prominent supremacist, both celebrated and praised King's comment. And as attacks on Muslim, immigrant communities, and communities of color escalate in the wake of Donald Trump's toxic presidential campaign and subsequent Executive Orders, we cannot allow racism and white supremacism to be further normalized. Republican leaders have the ability to remove King from this committee and must do so immediately and send the message that racism and hatred will not be tolerated and rewarded by members of Congress. They must do so immediately.

Three troubling bills target the homeless and protesters. H5690 says that drivers who drive into a protester on the road are not liable for the injury they cause if they "exercise due care" -- the bill sends a signal that encourages malicious people to "accidentally" drive into protest marches and rallies. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText17/HouseText17/H5690.pdf H5258 makes it a crime to stand anywhere in an "unsafe" road or on the roadway median, a bill that targets panhandlers but also criminalizes people with political messages or fundraising drives. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText17/HouseText17/H5258.pdf H5210 fines drivers if they stop to give anyone money or other items, penalizing those who are generous to the less fortunate as well as anyone who just hands something to family or friends. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText17/HouseText17/H5210.pdf

As the bi-vocational pastor of a small church here in Jackson, MS, over the last 12 years, I've watched Nissan engage in abusive, exploitative, and militantly anti-union labor practices in their Canton, Mississippi facility. At the same time, Nissan tries to burnish their image by sprinkling charitable contributions around the community. The disconnect between Nissan's public image and actual corporate behavior was so great for me that I decided to get involved by joining the Mississippi Alliance for Fairness at Nissan. Now I'm asking you to get involved too. Tell Nissan to stop using their advertising dollars where hate is being promoted. Tell Nissan to stop the threats and let workers have a fair union election. Join me in adding your name to this petition. Nissan has chosen to take a page out of the playbook of Mississippi and intimidate workers against voting for a union. The U.S. is the only place in the world where Nissan operates non-union. So we pastors here say: "Why not Mississippi?"

To give a voice to art therapists that disagree with the national AATA organizations alliance with Karen Pence , the second lady. I am an art therapist who will be negatively affected by Pence's uneducated explanation of the profession.