On Thursday, July 23, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law that takes away the authority of local governments to move an “object of remembrance” from, for example, the courthouse square to a county museum. The heated debate in the General Assembly focused on protecting the prominent display of Confederate flags and monuments. Lawmakers ignored the fact that nearly all these monuments in North Carolina were erected between 1905 and 1925 to reaffirm white supremacy and Jim Crow segregation. The Moral Monday Movement led by the NC NAACP is holding a rally on Monday, July 27, at 5 PM at the old Capitol in Raleigh to call on McCrory and legislators to “Protect People, Not Monuments.” (The Capitol is at 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh.) We need lawmakers to focus on improving public education, health care, a fair criminal justice system, the environment, voting rights, and economic security. Please attend the rally and bring a friend – but also sign the petition and forward it to your friends and neighbors. We all have pressing concerns, often different priorities, but let’s send a strong message that we do not want to whitewash the past or move our state backwards. There is not much time before Monday’s rally, so please act now and circulate this petition. Thanks!

From our friends at ThinkProgress: The Equality Act Introduced Today in Congress, Would Allow LGBT Americans To Live Free From Fear Jami and Krista Contreras of Michigan found out the hard way about the lack of comprehensive legal protections for LGBT Americans. Jami and Krista were married in Vermont in 2012, and two years later their daughter Bay was born. When it came time for their baby girl’s first checkup, her doctor refused to provide her care simply because her parents are gay. The unfortunate reality is that the Contreras’ story could have happened in the majority of states across America. Despite the progress that has been made in ensuring marriage equality, there are still over 30 states that lack clear and comprehensive legal protections for LGBT people. In these states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, or evicted from their apartment simply because of who they are. As the Contreras family learned, even the children of LGBT couples are not safe from discrimination without explicit federal law prohibiting it. Thankfully, many members of congress recognize this reality and are working to change it. The Equality Act, introduced today, is a historic bill that would ensure comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people regardless of where they live. Under The Equality Act “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” would be added to protections for employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and juries. The bill would also expand and enhance existing protections for people of color, women, and Americans of all faiths. The Equality Act was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-OR) and Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. David Ciclline (D-RI), along with a long list of co-sponsors including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Lewis. Its support among congressional democrats and LGBT advocates is huge. Not surprisingly, support for the bill is not as high among conservatives in Congress, many of whom oppose any non-discrimination legislation and are actively working against it. In fact, just last week, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) introduced the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, which the ACLU has described as Indiana’s religious freedom bill on steroids. BOTTOM LINE: The last decade has seen huge progress in the recognition and attainment of LGBT rights. But in 31 states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, and much more, just because of who they are. LGBT Americans deserve to live free from fear. The Equality Act will ensure that they can.

Autism Awareness is needed for people with autism that have comprehension, and speech problems. They could easily be misunderstood, which could lead to confusion or violence. Our Schools, and Police Officers in Zachery, LA need to know there are special risk people in the community that have trouble communicating with anybody, including teachers and police officers. Autistic persons would not understand a command " To put your Hands up " or " Get down on the ground." Without awareness, the Autistic Person could easily be shot. that is scary to everyone with autistic children. We will be moving to Zachery, LA, Copper Mill. Please Support this Petition for Autism awareness and training. Thank You.

Launch an immediate and independent federal investigation into Amari Brown's death in Chicago Illinois. Circumstances surrounding his death are suspicious, and more unresolved questions and tensions about how Black people are killing Black people in the United States.

Sandra Blands death is wrong and cruel because we African-Americans are not being treated as though we are humans like everybody else. We are being killed and mistreated because of our race. The same way you were brought here you will be taken out. God bless

This petition is about Sandra Bland and the case and investigation that surrounds the entire incident from start to finish. The majority , almost all, of the public believes that Sandra Bland did not indeed commit self-indulged asphyxiation in the jail cell. Bland, her family, as well as people of color deserves justice, equality, and fair treatment no matter race or color of skin. This petition states that the investigation should be looked at in depth by the federal government versus local Texas law enforcement.

Water is a basic human right. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes that access to safe drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realization of all human rights. The water in Flint, MI is not safe. In 2014, Flint's emergency manager disconnected residents from the clean, safe drinking water that they had been buying from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and began providing them with water from the Flint River. Residents across the city have toxic water flowing from their taps. People have reported water with high levels of copper, lead and THMs (chemicals that result when chlorine mixes with organic matter). As a result, Flint residents are suffering from hair loss, lead poisoning and other health problems related to the chemicals in their drinking water. Water is a basic human right, and all people deserve access to safe, affordable drinking water and sanitation. In Flint, the solution is as simple as pushing a button and reconnecting to DWSD.

Tired of the people not trusting the voting process and all of the claims of fraud by the parties? This would guarantee a citizen's right to vote - always. It would also eliminate fraud by the parties and by the people.

It's important to the safety and civil rights of minorities feel safe in knowing that the very same law enforcement officers and officials that have taken an oath to protect and serve the public aren't members of secret societies wih racist agendas. In light of events from Mike Brown to the senseless brutality and unwarranted arrest of Sandra Bland. We have now learned that Walter County Sheriff Glenn Smith, who made the first public comments about Ms. Bland's in-custody death, was suspended for documented cases of racism when he was chief of police in Hempstead, TX, in 2007. After serving his suspension, more complaints of racism came in, and Smith was actually fired.

When she started teaching at Mercy Waldron Academy eight years ago, Margie Winters told the principal of the Catholic school she was married to another woman. She was told that wasn't a problem. But now, the beloved director of religious education has been fired -- just weeks before Pope Francis visits Philadelphia. Parents are pointing fingers at Philadelphia archbishop Charles Chaput, who praised school leaders' "character and common sense" in deciding to fire Margie. Margie Winters is exactly the type of person Pope Francis is welcoming into the Catholic Church -- let's stand with Margie and show how many people are upset by her firing.

Mayor Patrick Rushing, of Air Heights, Washington, is refusing to resign after posting Facebook comments referring to Michelle Obama as "gorilla face" and President Barack Obama as "monkey man." Throughout his five-year tenure as Airway Heights mayor, Rushing's Facebook page has regularly churned out (mostly reposted) images and comments that have been racially insensitive. How can someone with so many racist preconceived notions serve racially diverse constituents?

Most Richmonders and most enrolled at and working at VCU are unaware that the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chapel is located on the 17th Floor of the West Hospital (former MCV) at The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. This chapel must be renamed. The chapel, dedicated in 1963 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, is a fine place for worship but who can imagine a Black person choosing to do so? This monument to the traitor Jefferson Davis should not be on the property of a state-owned hospital dedicated to serving the region's poorest. It must be renamed and rededicated to those poor people seeking compassionate medical care. Michael Rao, President of Virginia Commonwealth University, can be contacted on Twitter at @vcupresident.