• Tell Governor DeSantis - Put People First, Save Our Schools
    As we reopen our schools, we must also support the safety and economic stability of our local communities by ensuring that frontline workers are valued with living wages, family health care benefits, and access to quality, affordable child care and education. We must take this opportunity not just to recover from the COVID-19 crisis but to reset the course of investment in education. We must also begin to tear-down the systemic racism that denies all children a quality education and make fundamental changes to ensure all students and employees can learn and work in safe, clean, and supportive schools – now and into the future. To do so, plans to reopen our schools must be guided by these principles: **Distance Learning Until It is Safe to Reopen Health experts recommend 14 days of no new cases before resuming school in person. All the school districts that do not have low community spread of COVID and adequate resources for a full reopening should be able to continue virtual learning. We call upon local counties and the state government to support virtual learning with community resources and technology support. **Maintain Local Control Local school boards have the constitutional power to make educational decisions for their communities and should be free to do so without threats or punishments from state and federal authorities. School boards are uniquely suited to make the best decisions for their communities, as they are elected leaders who work in conjunction with local organizations to best serve their community. Local school boards should work with a panel of local health experts during the reopening process to make reopening decisions without interference from the State government. **Cover ALL employees wages and benefits as budgeted All workers are essential. As soon as it is safe, School Districts will resume in person learning. In order to maintain continuity and availability of an experienced workforce, we are calling for the School Districts to continue to cover ALL employees wages and benefits as budgeted. The State should call on the Federal Government to allocate additional resources for School Districts struggling during this financial crisis. **Focus on our communities The pandemic has laid bare how much working families depend on schools for food, child care, wellness and other basic needs. Community organizations that support families by becoming “safe havens” for children during working hours should be fully supported by the school district. As communities recover, schools must more fully engage parents and front line workers to identify neighborhood needs and appropriately target the expansion of meal programs, after school activities, health care access (including COVID-19 testing) and other safety-net services. **Ensure full support and resources for our most vulnerable students The shutdown of our schools has disproportionately impacted students of color, immigrants and students with special needs, as well as the essential classified school workers who provide them with critical services. As School Districts are considering reopening plans, learning-loss and achievement gaps must be addressed immediately through expanded instructional assistance, full access to technology for all, counseling and other services that support vulnerable students. School boards need the flexibility to work with individual families and staff to best meet the needs of students, including home visits or other workable solutions. School boards must provide language and translation services for non-English-speaking parents **Prioritize safety and cleanliness for all In the past, the regular sanitizing of classrooms and campuses has long been regarded as a “wish-list” item for schools rather than a priority. As a result, maintenance budgets have suffered the greatest budget cuts, staffing levels have been drastically reduced and school districts have struggled to maintain basic cleanliness standards. We are calling for a SAFE reopening of schools, which will require proper protective equipment for all, training, testing and appropriate staffing of maintenance workers to protect students in every environment where they learn – from school buses to classrooms to playgrounds and cafeterias. CDC Guidelines should be fully adhered along with advice from local health experts. **Training and Technology Support School Districts must invest in providing training on new safety protocols as well as training on new technology. The schools should also provide technology support for the staff who are expected to perform duties virtually during this time. Staff and families also need additional training on best practices to reduce the spread of COVID and other germs. **Recognize and respect the role of essential school workers As most of the world has sheltered at home, custodians, food service workers and other essential school staff have risked exposure to COVID-19 to maintain the safety and well-being of our communities. But their recognition as heroes of the pandemic has also highlighted the low-wage, part-time nature of this predominantly Black and Brown workforce. As we rebuild our schools, we must also support the economic stability of our local communities by ensuring that the contributions of frontline workers are valued with living wages, family health care benefits, and access to quality, affordable child care. **Bold investment in our schools and communities Our response to this unprecedented pandemic cannot be budget cuts and business as usual. We must challenge elected leaders to create a more progressive fiscal system. We must create new revenue streams where the wealthy pay their fair share and our budget is not balanced on the backs of school custodians, cafeteria workers, special education assistants and other essential employees. We must put equity for all of our students and staff at the center of our rebuilding efforts.
    264 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Meagan Bell
  • Twin Lakes: Stop Using the "Indians" Mascot
    Bryan Brayboy, who is the President’s Professor of Indigenous Education and Justice in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University, says this: “The social science research and literature on this is pretty overwhelming that the use of these caricatures is bad for everyone. Particularly, it’s bad for children. . . For non-native kids, it largely inures them toward racism toward native people. It ends up giving them the sense that native folks and peoples are a thing of the past or are to be caricatured, so they are less likely to have empathy with native peoples, and they come to see us as these relics of the past and stereotypes rather than vibrant, viable, productive human beings.” The American Psychological Association (APA) agrees with Professor Brayboy and has been calling on schools and teams to stop using American “Indian” mascots, symbols, images, and personalities since 2005. The APA says that not only do these symbols, images, and mascots perpetuate inaccuracies about Native American culture, but they teach young minds that it is acceptable to participate in culturally abusive behaviors and discrimination. Twin Lakes has attempted to ensure its representation of indigenous peoples is “respectful”—for instance, discouraging cartoonish depictions of the “Indian” mascot. But turning people into a stereotype causes serious harm even if the stereotype is intended to be or perceived as positive by the local community. One study found that mascots subconsciously reinforce stereotypes, even when exposure to the mascot is only incidental, and that people who live in cities with teams with Native American mascots were more likely to think of Native Americans as warlike. These names and images demean and dehumanize Native American people. When a community reduces rich, varied cultures to a logo on a t-shirt or a wall, the community is saying that those living, breathing people are “other than” and relics and insignificant to the current society. Indigenous people are not artifacts of the past; nor are they peoples who only exist in other places. The United States recognizes 567 tribes today. In 2010, the U.S. Census found that 49,738 American Indian and Alaska Natives live in Indiana. The past is still important to acknowledge, though, because we live in Indiana, the “Land of the Indians,” and there are zero reservations here. When French traders arrived in the area that we now know as White County and Monticello, they encountered the Miami. Later, the Potawatomi people migrated into modern-day Indiana and were soon joined by other tribes as they were pushed out of ancestral homelands in the eastern United States, including the Delaware and Shawnee (who settled Prophetstown). By 1850, however, the Native American populations in Indiana were largely reduced, but not because they had “disappeared.” They were pushed west yet again in forced migrations like the “Potawatomi Trail of Death.” Our ancestors took control of this land by killing and abusing native peoples and forcing them from their homes. It is hollow for us to claim that we are honoring native peoples by plastering stylized images of indigenous bodies and cultural symbols on buildings which stand on land stolen from those same peoples. Some will claim these symbols represent our history, but even if such images could be a genuine way to honor native peoples, the images Twin Lakes uses are offensive in terms of historical inaccuracy. The feathered war bonnet so prominently featured both within and outside our school buildings and on logos has zero ties with the indigenous people who lived in our area. Similarly, tipis, like the one that so long graced our football field, come from the Plains Tribes of the northwestern U.S, not here, and totem poles, like the one featured prominently in the high school gym, originated from traditions in the Pacific Northwest. Around the country, and indeed the world, people are finally recognizing that “Indian” mascots are unacceptable. Stereotyping and appropriating the symbols of people who have been marginalized is wrong. We call on Twin Lakes now to join in this growing tide. Whatever the reasons for the “Indian” mascot, it is time to make a change. This is not about school spirit. It’s about acknowledging that indigenous peoples are not suitable mascots. The children—Native Americans and non-natives alike—deserve better.
    22,369 of 25,000 Signatures
    Created by Kaitlin Willbanks
  • Demands to Transform Prince George's County Police Department
    Enough is enough. From the exposure of the racial discrimination lawsuit in our countywide police department to black and brown people being used as BOTH punching bags and target practice by those that are sworn to protect us. PGCHANGEMAKERS and its' allies say NO MORE to police brutality in Prince George's County! WARNING - These videos are triggering. Viewer discretion is advised. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwcmizBy8M/ https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2707963206105717 https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pg+police+beat+downs&docid=607990734244021592&mid=50FC9D5356C4EF95491F50FC9D5356C4EF95491F&view=detail&FORM=VIRE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMk4L9iaE7o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrOnhcBpEFE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsQfk-iEew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o75_fjwtkfE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf6oLSPB10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UqziDwXJSU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0doXRLkv8E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo6m8AP5odA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-UatpD44k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08OR_Dr1l8s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOa1rFM9T-0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzigsYQn58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRi_smnYaCY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3FyfbZVaM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKFfybKIaGw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfEhPjyBPDg
    243 of 300 Signatures
    Created by PG CHANGE MAKERS Demanding Change Since BIRTH Picture
  • Abolish Social Greek Life At USC
    After an influx of revealing stories submitted by students who have been abused and traumatized by Greek organizations and their members at USC, it has come to the attention of USC's student body that these organizations are doing much more harm than good to our community. A recent study has grounded these perspectives in data, and those involved and uninvolved in Greek life at USC have shown us that empty promises and reforms are no longer tolerable. College is an introduction to adult life for many students, and Greek life acts as a precedent for how students should behave socially after they finish their time at USC. The normalization of sexual assault, white supremacist ideals, and gender or sexuality-based discrimination have no place in our students' first steps towards adult independence. The world around us is progressing rapidly, but by choosing not to stand with the abolishment of IFC and Panhellenic Greek organizations, USC will be left behind in social evolution.
    158 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Abolish Greek USC
  • City Servants Must Wear Masks
    To mitigate the spread and devastating effects of the COVID19 virus within our Community. ALL City employees are charged with protecting the safety and well being of ALL Wausau residents. They should be wearing masks.
    65 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Bruce Grau
  • Charge only surviving accomplice in 68 year old Emmett Till open murder case now!
    Emmett Till was murdered 68 years ago. At only 14 years old, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, lynched and killed during a racially-motivated hate crime that ultimately helped launch the modern day civil rights movement. The past is not past​. The specter of this devastating crime remains ever-present through modern day racially motivated murders. The burdens borne by families such as Emmett's (Thelma Wright Edwards and Deborah Watts), George Floyd’s (Philonise and LaTonya Floyd) Ahmaud Arbery’s (Wanda Cooper Jones and Marcus Arbery Sr.), Trayvon Martin’s (Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin), Jordan Davis’ (Lucy McBath and Ron Davis), Eric Garner’s (Gwen Carr), Breonna Taylor’s (Tamika Palmer) and many others force them to speak up loudly, demand justice and take action when others won’t. Family members of Emmett Till urgently need your help​. ​Emmett’s case remains open and active​, appearing on the Department of Justice Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes cold case list. The case was reactivated in 2017 when the ​only known accomplice, Carolyn Bryant Donham - who is still alive and now well into her 80s ​- appeared to admit to an author of a book about Emmett Till and his case, that she lied to her husband, and during Emmett’s murder trial, by falsely claiming that Emmett made sexual advances and physically touched her. Carolyn Bryant Donham’s false claim and involvement are the actions that began the tragic chain of events leading to Emmett’s murder. Thank you for your support to help bring truth, justice, accountability and closure to the Emmett Till murder case. Amplify your impact on behalf the Emmett Till case: ● Tweet the President Biden @POTUS and Vice President Kamala Harris @VP demand #JusticeForEmmettTill ● Tweet DOJ and US Attorney General Merrick Garland @TheJusticeDept and demand #JusticeForEmmettTill ● Tweet and call Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch @lynnfitchag; 601.359.3680 demand #JusticeForEmmettTill ● Email and call District Attorney for the Fourth Circuit Court District of Mississippi, W. Dewayne Richardson [email protected]; 662.378.2105 demand #JusticeForEmmettTill Check out our website: https://emmetttilllegacyfoundation.com/ and follow us on Instagram @emmetttilllegacyfoundation Twitter @emmetttill Facebook Emmett Till Legacy Foundation to get updates on our work and journey towards #JusticeForEmmettTill!
    282,580 of 300,000 Signatures
    Created by Emmett Till Legacy Foundation Picture
  • Pearl River EPA: Bring Broadband to 100% of US
    In the information age, all Mississippians need fiber-to-the home broadband and our EPA is the only one who can do it for 100% of us. On July 18th 2020, FIFTEEN Mississippi electric co-ops submitted applications for over $73,000,000 in grant funds. However, our EPA was not one of them.
    857 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Jason Hillman
  • Singing River EPA: Bring Broadband to 100% of US
    In the information age, all Mississippians need fiber-to-the home broadband and our EPA is the only one who can do it for 100% of us. On July 18th 2020, FIFTEEN Mississippi electric co-ops submitted applications for over $73,000,000 in grant funds. However, our EPA was not one of them.
    1,195 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Jason Hillman
  • John Lewis Memorial Bridge
    John Lewis is the real American hero and patriot. Rename the bridge!
    144 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Karl Boisvert
  • Shut down Palm Beach County NOW so we can get back in school
    Parents, students, teachers and school employees want to be back in brick and mortar schools as soon as it is safely possible. We are calling on you, our county commissioners to shut down all non-essential businesses immediately to slow the community spread of COVID. We are calling for a substantial increase in testing and contract tracing. We are calling for maximum transparency on COVID data, including which local child care centers are dealing with a COVID outbreak. We are calling for a carefully measured reopening that does not begin until we have 14 days of declining cases in a row AND a positivity rate of 5% or less. We are calling for financial and community support for furloughed workers so they can continue to provide for their families during the necessary shut down. We are calling for a moratorium on evictions and rent relief for furloughed workers and affected businesses. We are calling for a county wide limit on all indoor gatherings to 10 people or less. We are calling for adequate PPE protection for our social services workers so that they can continue supporting families and investigating abuse allegations during the shut down. We are calling for adequate PPE for our front line healthcare workers so they can safely take care of our community.
    367 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Meagan Bell
  • Osborne High / Community Protest
    We don’t want to set CITA apart from OHS, adding Osbornes name to the marquee will bring a sense of unity and pride to the school and community.
    701 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Osborne High School PTSA
  • Don’t Cut Washington’s Community and Technical Colleges!
    While high tech companies and corporations are profiting upwards of millions to billions of dollars during the pandemic, CTCs are preparing for the upcoming academic year with furloughs, laying off faculty, and discontinuing tenure tracks. Our CTCs and their faculty, staff, and students deserve better, especially our students of color. While long term investments centering racial equity support our CTCs and students, austerity will only hurt them. Our CTCs have always been pillars of higher education in Washington state, but they are now even more important as our state faces the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. Currently, 1 in 7 Washington workers are unemployed. As more and more workers are being pushed into unemployment, we need both a strong workforce and support for our most vulnerable communities who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. CTCs can be the key to recovery for both Washington’s economy and its communities. Investing in CTCs keeps CTC faculty and staff employed while providing the resources needed to train and retrain Washington’s students and workforce. We urge state Senators and Representatives to consider CTC budgets from an equity lens, especially as CTCs provide more accessible resources to Washington’s communities of color. 45% of Washington CTC students are also students of color, and COVID-19 has already had a disproportionate effect on people of color. Systemically racist forces such as redlining, racial housing segregation, and limited resources on reservations contribute to higher rates of infection in these communities. Budget cuts due to COVID-19 would only affect these communities even more negatively. Washington’s CTCs serve 60% of our students while only receiving 40% of the state funding for higher education. Our CTCs already receive less of a share of the state funding compared to private institutions. CTCs are not only an affordable source of education for communities of color as well as low income students, but they also provide the support they need through programs such as TRIO, diversity and multicultural programs, and academic and career counseling. We also know that when budgets are cut at CTCs, diversity programs are cut first. It’s already difficult to attend school, especially as a student of color, and these programs are vital resources for students to find a supportive community while in school. Budget cuts will lead to both the defunding of these resources vital to student success and an increase in tuition, making CTCs even more inaccessible at an especially critical time. Our students need investment now more than ever.
    588 of 600 Signatures
    Created by Fernando Mejia-Ledesma