We are concerned members of the Dartmouth family – global citizens, professors, doctors, dentists, lawyers, teachers, journalists, entrepreneurs, political officials, activists, executives, non-profit leaders, architects, artists, photographers, athletes, writers, managers, members of the greater community, and more. Most of us are indebted to Dartmouth College for the education but have contributed in many demonstrable ways to its legacy and standing. We have made a life of contribution and careers of purpose in part by the education we have received. However, given the current political climate and a campus culture still rife with systemic oppression - racism, classism, sexism and other institutional systems of control that are not in the collective interest of the Dartmouth community, we share student concerns and are very disappointed that the College on the Hill is not leading by example. The College must not lose sight of the broader message of the student coalition that protested against racism, sexual assault, homophobia, classism and other forms of hate and intolerance on Dartmouth’s campus in the Spring of 2013 and that underpinned the Clery Complaint. The intersectionality and institutionalized silence combine to repress anyone who tries to speak up. These concerns are the realities of Dartmouth student life. It is a 40-year-old culture of marginalization and intolerance toward a legitimate cross-section of students on Dartmouth’s campus. It is hurtful, hateful, and an anachronism in 21st century America. Dartmouth must change. As Jalil Bishop ’14, president of Dartmouth's Afro-American Society, aptly put it in a speech he delivered at the Keynote Address of Dartmouth College’s 2014 Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., after inviting audience members to join him on stage: “As you stand here and they ask you why you protest, tell them you have attended their talks, you have served on their committees, you have allowed your face on their brochures and still they did not honor your voice…Tell them we know assimilation, being quiet, just fitting in, does not work unless we annihilate who we are. And for some of us, we learned through the trenches on this campus and bonds in our communities to love who we are. So we cannot erase it, we cannot hide it. We protest because there is no line between where our individual comfort and the oppression of communities around us, separates. Our lives and our freedom are too intertwined.” (The entire speech and video are available at http://blackpraxis.com) We are saddened, but not surprised, that Dartmouth College currently is under investigation for Title IX violations. This investigation could have been avoided had the College taken proactive steps to eliminate the culture of intolerance that has permeated the Dartmouth campus for decades. The federal probe may be uncomfortable, but silence is complicity and complicity with oppression is toxic and poisons the environment on campus. We all want a Dartmouth that exhibits a strong commitment to excellence, civility, and conscience. Tell Dartmouth College it’s time to address student concerns and make campus climate a top priority.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now Congress can restore those provisions by passing this important bill. Rep. Sires should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting a strong bill.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Wilson should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Representative Perlmutter should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill.

I am not but other people.

I am starting this petition because I have become increasingly alarmed by voter registration laws that make it increasingly difficult for some citizens of our country, in particular minorities and the elderly, to vote. Charges of voter fraud used to justify these laws consistently have been shown to be untrue. In a democracy, the basic right of all citizens to vote without undue burdens being placed in their way should be protected by all, not challenged in unseemly and cynical ways.

The best way to be successful is to get as much visible support as possible early on. Already, there are nine co-sponsors of this bill—four Republicans and five Democrats. We need ALL OF OUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES onboard to protect the voting rights of ALL AMERICANS, particularly those who have historically been disenfranchised...Let's not ever forget the price paid by our ancestors to have our full rights as citizens.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Hensarling should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill.

Our Voting Rights is Apart of All our Basic Fundamental Fight. It Re-Create our Cycle of Life; only made to Equal Rights for All? We Supported; Donated, Even Calls, for our Bills is our Life Laws!

when you vote and the people want something no one should be able to overturn that vote

“The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. I hope you will join me in asking Rep. Trey Radel to support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill.”

I have witnessed discrimination... while I lived in Akron, Ohio, when the Kent State fiasco occurred during the 60's, while attending school in Appalachian Kentucky during the 70's, while attending Purdue University in Indiana during the 80's, while living in Hawai`i in the 90's... and, yes, while currently living in St. Louis, Missouri. The Supreme Court Justices may think that voting rights abuses are a thing of the past... and I wish that I could be immune from experiencing and witnessing it, too. But, I can't. I don't live in their ivory towers. And, neither do you. I want to see a fairer America. Whether the state legislators thought they'd curtail minority voters with the poll tax (which the VRA directly addressed), or whether those legislators think that photo IDs will do so... our federal government must assure that they are not able to intimidate and deny voting rights to ANY American -- regardless of race, class, or any other variation of American citizen.