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.

The Department of Justice must conduct an independent investigation into the death of Sandra Bland in Texas. The circumstances surrounding her traffic stop are suspicious and deserve an independent, thorough, accountable investigation--especially in light of new video footage. We cannot allow the local police to investigate themselves. The Department of Justice has the authority--and power--to find out what happened to Sandra Bland.

Equality has finally been acheived and we will not allow individual government officials to refuse this equality for any reason.

Judges should not legislate from the bench and they should never, ever impose their religious beliefs on the citizens they have sworn to serve in the name of the municipality, county, state, or nation they represent.

I'm tired of the poor logic used by some Christian legislature, which espouses religious freedom in order to trample civil liberty. I'm quite disappointed that so many of our leaders seem to have failed our 8th grade lesson detailing the cause and spirit of separation of church and state.

DA Mathis said there was no reason for concern, despite the fact that an allegedly routine traffic stopped turned into a violent arrest is itself a cause for concern. Sandra's family says that Sandra would never kill herself and that police seem to be covering up her death. We must demand that local officials release all video, information and photographs relating to Sandra's unjust arrest, imprisonment and death. The local police department and prosecutor's office have a long history of racism and corruption. Last year, DA Mathis threatened a local Reverend who spoke out about racist prosecutions, saying he would release his “hounds” on the Reverend. Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith was fired from the police department in Hempstead, Texas for documented cases of racism. According to her loved ones, Sandra Bland was a loving, compassionate woman, with a bright future ahead. Today would have been the first day at her new job working student outreach at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University. Loved ones described her as bright, spirited, and having a thirst for life. She was also a vocal advocate against police brutality and often spoke about ending racism and police violence. Our hearts and minds are with her friends and family as they move through this unimaginably hard time. But in a world where Black people are stereotyped as “violent” and police exist to enforce the boundaries of a deeply divided and racist society, who Sandy was or the life she was creating, did not matter. What mattered was that she was Black, and therefore, in the eyes of the law, didn’t deserve respect, didn’t deserve her civil rights, her freedom or her life. To be Black in America, is to be safe nowhere. Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to be targeted by police and incarcerated than white women. The Department of Justice and Attorney General Lynch have the power and responsibility to address the systemic police violence targeting Black communities. The reality is, racism, corruption and a deep-seated culture of secrecy prevents local and state police from holding themselves accountable. Without independent oversight, police will continue to kill and prosecutors will continue to do nothing. We should not have to demand justice, every time a Black person is murdered, but we will continue to do so until the justice system respects Black lives.