Add your name to this petition and stand with BCCC faculty, students, and community members in demanding fair treatment, real investment, and a better future for public education in Baltimore. #EducationJustice #SupportBCCC #RespectFaculty #FundOurFutures #UnionStrong

Why Springfield Needs to Act Now Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are under attack. Recent events show why sanctuary cities are more crucial than ever: • Supreme Court threats: The Supreme Court is being asked to overturn marriage equality in a case they'll consider this fall. SCOTUS has also upheld Tennessee's ban on youth gender-affirming care and Trump’s trans military ban  • Right next door: New Hampshire just became the ONLY state in New England to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, making Massachusetts a critical refuge for families across our border • Nationwide bathroom restrictions: 19 states now restrict where transgender people can use public restrooms - increasingly people get harassed to prove their gender • 988 LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Faces Funding Cut: HHS proposes ending government funding putting thousands of young lives at risk • Local hate crimes: Even in progressive Northampton, Pride flags were stolen and burned in the streets Springfield can be a beacon of safety and inclusion! Sign this petition to show Springfield City Council that our community demands action.   Sign if you are: ·       A Springfield, MA resident who supports LGBTQ+ rights (your signature carries the most weight with City Council) ·       A Western Massachusetts resident who cares about regional LGBTQ+ safety ·       Anyone who believes all people deserve safety and dignity ·       Ready to make Springfield a sanctuary for our most vulnerable neighbors   Springfield resident signatures will be highlighted when delivered to City Council, with broader regional support noted separately to show the widespread concern for LGBTQ+ rights in our area.   Every signature matters - sign now and share with your friends, family, and neighbors across Western Mass!   Important Note: This is a community advocacy petition to demonstrate public support for LGBTQ+ sanctuary status in Springfield. This is not an official ballot initiative or legally binding referendum. The petition will be delivered to Springfield City Council to show community demand for action on this issue. Organized by Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible (RUWMI)   #SpringfieldSanctuary #LGBTQRights #MassachusettsValues

Let's ensure that Texas schools remain places of learning where all students can feel respected and included, regardless of their personal beliefs. I call on you to join me in this cause to preserve the integrity of public education.  Sign this petition to stop the mandatory display of the Ten Commandments in our school district and across Texas. 

I believe that students should have a say in important school policies that will affect the student body's day-to-day life. This will be a way to take action and have a say in school policies. I know a lot of people are unhappy with this policy, so why don't we change it ? This is your way to make change happen and come together as a group to fight for change.

The United States has a long and distressing past of mass incarceration. It is widely acknowledged in sociological and political studies that mass incarceration disproportionately affects black people. According to the Sentencing Project, there is an average of 6.7 black individuals to one white individual currently incarcerated in Michigan. Black people make up 13% of the entire US population, yet are the highest incarcerated demographic in the US at 32%.  Mass incarceration creates a cycle of disadvantage that affects individuals, families, and even entire neighborhoods. Family members are removed from their homes, directly impacting family relationships and childhoods. Social networks are broken, and community members experience a disruption in collective action. This evokes financial strain and further emotional stress in communities that are intentionally left without resources to support themselves.   James Jones is a black man born and raised in the city of Detroit who has endured a wrongful conviction and was initially targeted by the Detroit Police Department.  With the current state of this country, we need to change these trends of devastation in the black community and fight back through awareness and direct action!! Help communities such as James' experience the return of a beloved son, father, and scholar. Repair these social networks and restore black communities!! Sources: • https://www.americanprogress.org/article/mass-incarceration-stress-black-infant-mortality/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/research/us-criminal-justice-data/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/mass-incarceration-trends/

Our schools thrive when we have great teachers who inspire, mentor, and lead our children toward success. When those teachers are unfairly targeted, silenced, or removed because of politics, favoritism, or personal connections, our students and community pay the price. Recently, Mr. Cook — a respected Black male educator, the parish’s teachers’ union president, and a dedicated teacher of over 10 years — was terminated under troubling circumstances. After a disagreement with the Chief Operations Officer, who was hired by the superintendent and is his fraternity brother, Mr. Cook was removed from the classroom. The situation raises further concerns as the superintendent also hired the HR director, a friend and sorority sister to his fraternity. These facts point to a clear pattern of favoritism and compromised leadership. We believe that: • Decisions impacting our children’s education must be made in the best interest of students — not friendships or fraternity/sorority ties. • Educators who advocate for their colleagues and students should not face retaliation. • Our parish deserves leaders who act with fairness, accountability, and respect for all employees. We, the undersigned, call for the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Cook, the resignation or removal of the superintendent, and a full independent review of recent administrative hires and personnel decisions. Our children are watching. Let’s show them what courage, fairness, and community leadership look like.

Chicago has inclement weather more often than not. We care about the quality of life for our little ones and do not want to remove this space that is so needed for their physical, emotional and social wellness. Many of us chose State of Illinois Childcare Development Center Development Center because of the high standards in quality care. Removing the indoor playground also puts a strain on our beloved teachers.  Help us send a message that we want to find a solution that benefits the SOICDC, the teachers and the children. We care deeply about our community and about the long-term success of SOICDC.

In an effort to foster a “healthy environment for learning,” the state of New York has implemented a ban on phones in schools. While the intention behind this policy is commendable—reducing distractions, promoting focus, and encouraging interpersonal engagement—the execution overlooks the evolving role of technology in education and the realities of modern student life. Rather than cultivating a healthier learning environment, the ban risks creating one that is outdated, inequitable, and less responsive to students’ needs. A more effective approach would be to integrate phones into the educational framework with clear boundaries and purposeful use. The central argument for banning phones is that they distract students from learning. However, distraction is not a function of the device itself—it’s a behavioral challenge that requires guidance, not prohibition. In fact, when used intentionally, phones can deepen engagement. Apps like Kahoot!, Quizlet, and Google Classroom transform passive learning into interactive experiences. Students can research topics in real time, collaborate on shared documents, and access multimedia resources that cater to diverse learning styles. By banning phones, schools eliminate a tool that—when properly managed—can make learning more dynamic and personalized. In today’s world, phones are not just educational tools—they’re essential for safety and communication. Emergencies, whether personal or school-wide, demand immediate access to loved ones and information. Denying students this access can be ethically problematic, especially in a state that has experienced school lockdowns and weather-related crises. Moreover, phones offer autonomy: students can manage their schedules, track assignments, and communicate responsibly. Teaching students how to use phones wisely is far more empowering than removing them altogether. The phone ban disproportionately affects students from underserved communities. For many, a smartphone is their only reliable access to the internet. Homework, research, and college applications often require digital access that schools cannot always provide. Additionally, students with disabilities benefit from assistive technologies embedded in phones—speech-to-text, screen readers, and calming apps that support emotional regulation. Banning phones removes these supports and widens the equity gap, undermining the very mission of public education. Rather than shielding students from technology, schools should prepare them to navigate it responsibly. Digital literacy is a core competency in the 21st century. Students will use phones in college, the workplace, and daily life. By banning them, schools miss the chance to teach self-regulation, ethical online behavior, and critical thinking in digital spaces. A healthy learning environment is not one devoid of technology—it’s one where technology is used with intention, reflection, and accountability. Phones are creative tools. Students can film short documentaries, record podcasts, design graphics, and collaborate on projects—all from a device in their pocket. These activities foster critical thinking, storytelling, and teamwork. In a world where content creation is a viable career path, schools should encourage students to explore these skills. The ban stifles innovation and limits the ways students can express themselves and connect with others. The goal of creating a healthy learning environment is noble, but banning phones is a blunt instrument for a nuanced challenge. Instead of exclusion, New York schools should adopt structured policies that promote responsible use, digital literacy, and equitable access. Phones, when integrated thoughtfully, can enhance learning, support safety, and prepare students for the realities of modern life. The healthiest learning environment is not one that avoids technology. It is one that teaches students how to thrive within it.

Please join in showing your support for: • Truth, facts, and science. • Scientific integrity. • Life-saving vaccines that have saved millions of lives and mRNA technology that helps fight cancer. • Ethical and responsible public health leadership. • U.S. leadership in global health innovation and preparedness. 

For decades, New York’s family childcare providers and childcare workers have dedicated their lives to nurturing and educating our state’s children. Many of us have 20, 30, even 40 years of hands-on experience. Yet the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) says we are “not qualified” to serve as daycare center directors unless we hold a college degree. Across New York, long-serving family childcare providers are being blocked from becoming daycare directors solely because they don’t have a college degree—even if they’ve spent decades caring for children, mentoring other providers, and leading within their communities. This outdated policy dismisses the real-world expertise, commitment, and leadership that veteran providers bring to the childcare workforce, while worsening the staffing shortages already facing our state. Diane Abram (formerly Diane Ballard) is one of those providers. She began her licensed family daycare over 30 years ago under her maiden name and has supported generations of families in Buffalo. In addition to providing high-quality care, Diane has trained new providers, advocated for stronger childcare policies, and stood up for working families across the state. Despite her proven leadership and deep community roots, she was denied the opportunity to become a daycare center director—because she doesn’t hold a degree. This outdated requirement disregards real-world experience and disproportionately harms Black and Brown women, older providers, and those in underserved communities who built their careers through hard work, not academic credentials. Many of these providers work 60 to 80 hours a week, often offering non-traditional hours like evenings, overnights, and weekends—services most centers don’t provide, but working families rely on. We urge Senators Jabari Brisport and April N. M. Baskin to: • ✅ Support policy change at OCFS to recognize experience-based qualifications for director roles • ✅ Champion equitable leadership pathways for providers with proven service • ✅ Lead efforts that remove structural barriers to advancement in early childhood care

This isn’t radical. It’s the bare minimum. We can’t keep piecemealing child safety and pretending “parental rights” always mean protection. The U.S. claims to champion human rights abroad—yet here at home, we allow religion and ideology to silence abuse victims. “The United States is the only country in the UN that has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child—and likely never will, due to entrenched opposition around national sovereignty and so-called “parental rights.”” Far-right groups like Moms for Liberty are pushing for total parental control over education while ignoring the fact that children are being abused under their watch. Expanding “parental rights” without guardrails is not protection—it’s complicity. Think of Jonestown. Waco. Ruby Franke. The Turpins. The Duggars. Warren Jeffs. I was one of those kids. We must confront a hard truth: “Freedom of religion” has too often meant freedom to harm—and freedom from accountability. Court decisions like Wisconsin v. Yoder have left generations of children vulnerable by placing religious and parental rights above basic safety. While religious freedom is vital, it must have common-sense boundaries—especially when it comes to protecting children. It’s time to face this issue head-on and establish clear legal limits that put child safety first. Child safety must come first. Always. Kids deserve to know how to protect themselves. We can’t fight abuse if we keep it hidden. Sign now to demand Congress pass the Every Child Safe Act.  Share this petition. Use #EveryChildSafeAct to break the silence and protect kids nationwide. We have the power to create a country where every child is protected, educated, and free from abuse. Let’s make that real. "Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime." - Herbert Ward

This fight is bigger than a checkbox — it’s about correcting centuries of lies, theft, and legal erasure. For too long, the descendants of enslaved American Indians, Indigenous Europeans, Pacific Islanders, Asians, and Free People of Color have been lumped into a false racial category: “Black.” Their original nations, names, and legal rights were stripped away through paper genocide, Jim Crow laws, and colonial policies that erased entire peoples with the stroke of a pen. Now, even our history, culture, and identity are being claimed by others — particularly recent African immigrants and pan-African ideologues — who attempt to speak for us, replace us in our own narrative, and rewrite our legacy. By supporting the push to recognize “Reclassified Original American” as a distinct classification, you are: ✅ Standing up for the truth of history ✅ Supporting people fighting to restore stolen identities ✅ Aiding the movement for reparative justice and data accuracy ✅ Helping families reclaim their tribal, national, and genealogical records ✅ Pushing back against the system — and movements — that reclassify, rename, and erase our lineage ✅ Defending the culture, sovereignty, and heritage of reclassified Americans from being replaced or misrepresented This is a fight for every person who believes that identity should be honored, not overwritten or exploited. Join the campaign to restore what was taken. Join the campaign to make our people count — by name, by blood, and by right. This isn’t just about the past — It’s about protecting the future from being stolen again.