50 years ago this month, the Voting Rights Act was enacted, protecting millions of Americans against politically motivated attacks on their right to vote. Two years ago, the Supreme Court gutted many of these protections, claiming that voter discrimination was a thing of the past. Since then, opportunistic politicians have proven the Court wrong, rolling back key reforms and building new barriers to the ballot box with the intent -- and effect -- of keeping folks from voting. The government shouldn't get to pick and choose which citizens can vote -- we need to restore the Voting Rights Act's protections. Tell Congress to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act and make sure every American's voice is heard in our democracy.

Richard Shaak, who was a long time and trusted employee, was terminated for simply speaking up and bringing to light what was on everyone's mind: the failure of management to provide their workforce with adequate and properly functioning tools to perform their jobs like the professionals that they aspire to be. Mr. Shaak simply wants the ability to for him and his co-workers to work with dignity and respect. Rich Shaak was fired for simply having a difference of opinion with Supervision. Obviously, Art Gasper and Gary Tuerk, the owners of Meridian Electrical Associates, do not value what their employees have to say. Even worse, they will not tolerate any differences of opinions between the workers, and management. Please let Art Gasper and Gary Tuerk know that suppressing freedom of speech will not be tolerated. Please sign our petition today and demand that Rich Shaak be reinstated NOW!

We are in need of help! The police departments and local governments can't handle this matter alone! Please declare a state of NATIONAL emergency! The numbers are out there! It's no secret we need help as citizens of the USA - help to save a precious generation!

I have been working in the field of education for more than 25 years. All children should be given the opportunity to experience an effective, solid and meaningful education. Our Black children deserve a quality education to prepare them for the future. It is apparent school board members set the educational clock back 60 years or more when they voted and approved to re-segregate several schools in South Pinellas County. It is time to right the wrong that has negatively impacted black children in these five schools. ~Dr. Psalms Mack

Native Americans are denied the same rights and privileges as others due to the length of their hair, being forced on many occasions to have their hair cut before they are allowed access to public establishments such as schools. We are demanding that you respect the rights of ALL Native Americans concerning this matter and abolish this practice. Having long hair is an important part of our culture and ancestry, and needs to be recognized as that. Make it illegal for Native Americans to be denied the same rights as others because of the length of their hair.

Because 6 debates is not enough! The American people need to hear from the candidates to start making their choice!

Ending marijuana prohibition is the first step in ending discrimination. It is essential to ensure individuals' civil rights are no longer violated by law enforcement and the courts. Marijuana prohibition, as has been displayed throughout the United States, is more of a threat to citizens' lives and property than the plant itself. Save lives, please legalize.

Dina Lara is a Certified Nursing Assistant with over 28 years of experience in the health care field. Recently, Dina was fired from her job at Family Care VNA & Home Care for speaking out in favor of stronger workplace protections like a fair schedule, paid sick days and paid family and medical leave. Dina decided to get involved in a campaign for economic justice after she was forced to take unpaid time off to undergo gallbladder surgery. She took only a few days off to recover. Her doctor told her she needed 2 weeks of rest, but she makes only $10 an hour and could not afford to miss out on more pay. When she returned to work, her hours were drastically reduced. She ended up back in the hospital. Dina bravely shared her story and advocated for paid family leave so no one else would have to go through what happened to her. She testified in favor of bills at the Connecticut statehouse, and participated in press conferences and roundtables with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Senator Chris Murphy. Because of her advocacy, Family Care fired Dina, claiming she 'bashed the company'. She had been a loyal and hardworking employee there for over three years. This is unacceptable. Dina has dedicated her life to caring for others, but who is taking care of her? We must stand with her now!

According to a WSU statistician, Beth Clarkson, "My [Clarkson's] statistical analysis shows patterns indicative of vote manipulation in machines" by multiple parties. The laws in place make it difficult to audit the paper trail in order to establish if vote manipulation is occurring. What we're asking for here is both a preventative measure and also a way of introducing more checks and balances into the voting process via independent audits. This petition is as much about safe guarding democracy for residents of Kansas as anything. You can find both Beth Clarkson's blog and data here (just go to "Voting Analysis"): http://bethclarkson.com/

Too many times people are in situations in which they are unaware of their basic rights while dealing with law enforcement. This course serves the purpose of self-empowerment while at the same time potentially saving lives.

The Charlottesville Cavaliers youth basketball team was knocked out of the annual National Travel Basketball Association (NTBA) annual tournament this past weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, not because they lost, but because one player is a girl. In previous years, 10-year-old Kymora Johnson had always been allowed to play at the NTBA competition with her mixed-gender team, the Charlottesville Cavaliers. This year, the team was on a five-game winning streak, making it to the final four, when the NTBA decided to invoke its brand-new policy that barred Kymora and her team from playing in the tournament. Kymora had gone through the entire registration process, but John Whitley, NTBA president, said they hadn’t noticed Kymora as an active participant of the team. “We have no problem with the girls sitting on the bench,” he said. “We don’t care who sits on the bench with the teams, that goes for anybody … to sit on the bench.” The NTBA’s new rule says girls can play in league games and scrimmages, but not in the national tourney. It’s 2015. The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team has just won its third World Cup title, Serena Williams has just won her sixth Wimbledon title, and just this week, Katie Ledecky has blown through the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle swimming world record. No sport should deny women and girls the chance to compete.

New York City Police Department claims an investigation is in the works regarding this police brutality incident in Staten Island's 122nd precinct . But as yet, NYPD will not say if any disciplinary measures have been taken. The video of the assault is self-evident that these four officers lack the appropriate judgment to safely serve our city's citizens and have no business patrolling the streets of New York City armed with guns and badges. There is nothing that indicates the level of force was appropriate, or that four officers could not have detained the subject without hospitalizing him.