We write to you because of the urgency of the situation in Darfur. We are gravely concerned about the genocide that began 13 years ago in Darfur and still continues today. Violence, rape, killing, burning of villages, arrests and torture has devastated the lives of innocent civilians in Darfur. Countless men, women, and children have lost their lives while the living under unimaginable suffering and have nowhere to turn. In spite of the alarming rate at which the violence continues to be perpetrated, world leaders have faced the situation in Darfur with silence. Those who have spoken up have not moved beyond words of condemnation. That is why we urge our representatives to speak up for Darfur and demand that the U.S. government make Sudan a priority to bring a lasting solution to the long-standing crisis in Sudan. We want our government to care and we need the U.S. Congress to help become our voice and the voices for the people of Darfur. As Darfuri living in the United States, we are deeply affected by the tragedy in Darfur, we have lost many immediate family members and many more still suffer while we have been forced to flee. Beginning in 2016 there has been a new surge of attacks against civilians in Darfur, Sudan. Over 150,000 people have been displaced in one month, children have been burned alive, and women and girls have been abducted and brutally raped while the bombing continues. The government of Sudan has isolated Darfur from the outside world, blocked information, and continues its crimes. In addition to over 3 million people who remained in camps for the past 13 years, violence escalates every day and humanitarian efforts are severely restricted. Rape and sexual violence have been used as a weapon of war and continue at an alarming rate in the displacement camps where women are the majority. Millions of Darfuris remain displaced and have been without a permanent home for 13 years while the number of newly displaced people continues to grow exponentially while the genocide continues unhindered. The president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, stands accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur yet he is still free to pursue his genocidal policies. The government of Sudan has recently stated its plan that it will end internal displacement in Darfur by 2017, which means wiping out those who are helpless in camps. A referendum in Darfur was recently conducted in mid-April of this year by the government to decide on the future of Darfur, even while Darfuri victims are under attack and still struggling for survival with no ability to vote; this is Sudan’s “Final Solution” within its genocide. What is going on in Darfur today is very systematic and directed towards a particular group whom the government has singled out for extermination. The U.S. Department of State expressed its concern, stating that “If held under current rules and conditions, a referendum on the status of Darfur cannot be considered a credible expression of the will of the people of Darfur”.(http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/04/255663.htm). This is why we need your voices to stand by our side and speak up against the genocide. The core of DWAG's mission is that in the face of genocide, we must not let our leaders turn a blind eye or look the other way. We need you to help us speak up for the suffering, make your voices heard and mobilize the masses to join us to ask Congress to speak up for Darfur. If we can reach out to more people, we will definitely compel our leaders to act promptly. We greatly appreciate the 120 members who have signed the bipartisan letter to president Obama , asking him to make Sudan a priority and we hope that all members of the house of representatives can speak up for the people of Darfur and Sudan at large. We are counting on you to add your voice. Sign this petition and help us spread the word.

President Obama has the chance to make history by becoming the first U.S. President to visit nuclear ground zero when he is in Japan during the G7 Summit on May 26 and 27. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States ushered in the nuclear age when it dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands and changing the world forever. By visiting Hiroshima, President Obama can provide a reminder unlike any other that nuclear weapons pose a threat to global peace and security. But he can’t stop there. He can and must take concrete steps during his waning days in office to advance his vision for a world without nuclear weapons. Like you, WAND has been both inspired and frustrated by the president’s nuclear weapons policies. He spearheaded a once-in-a-generation agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon -- without firing a shot. Yet, he has also approved a plan to spend $1 trillion over the next 30 years that would lock in an excessive nuclear weapons arsenal for decades to come. Here are the words of Wendy Sherman, former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs on why President Obama should visit Hiroshima: "He should go to Hiroshima, not to apologize, but to serve our interests by showing allies in the region that we are willing to acknowledge the past in order to focus on the future. "Historians have debated America's use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and will continue to do so. And, although undoubtedly many, many American lives were saved by bringing the war to an early end, there is no denying the horrific impact of an atomic bomb dropped on thousands of civilians. "Polling by the Pew Research Center shows that younger Americans are already much less likely than their grandparents to think that the use of nuclear weapons was justified. "And, indeed, the trend is such that years from now, the majority of all Americans are likely to believe it was wrong. Future generations need to understand history in all of its dimensions. The President's focus, therefore, should be on remembrance, on the importance of never again going down the road to a World War. We too must remember what we did in August 1945 and the profound need to ensure there is never another Hiroshima."

Since cluster bombs release many small bomblets over a wide area, they pose heightened risks to civilians both during attacks and afterwards. During attacks, the weapons are prone to indiscriminate effects, especially in populated areas. Unexploded bomblets can kill or maim civilians long after a conflict has ended, and are costly to locate and remove. That's why more than a hundred nations have joined the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of these weapons. [1] Saudi Arabia has used cluster bombs in its war in Yemen, according to Human Rights Watch. [2] HRW documented the remnants of a CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon, a cluster bomb manufactured by Textron Systems Corporation in the US and supplied to Saudi Arabia. [3] Although the US is not yet a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, US law bars the sale of these weapons to countries that use them in civilian areas. [4] But according to Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia did use these weapons in a civilian area. [5] Urge Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Milwaukee Representative Gwen Moore to advocate for a ban on sending these weapons to Saudi Arabia, including in the National Defense Authorization Act, by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.clusterconvention.org/ 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/world/middleeast/saudi-led-group-said-to-use-cluster-bombs-in-yemen.html 3. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408 4. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408 5. https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/05/03/yemen-saudi-led-airstrikes-used-cluster-munitions

Since cluster bombs release many small bomblets over a wide area, they pose heightened risks to civilians both during attacks and afterwards. During attacks, the weapons are prone to indiscriminate effects, especially in populated areas. Unexploded bomblets can kill or maim civilians long after a conflict has ended, and are costly to locate and remove. That's why more than a hundred nations have joined the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of these weapons. [1] Saudi Arabia has used cluster bombs in its war in Yemen, according to Human Rights Watch. [2] HRW documented the remnants of a CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon, a cluster bomb manufactured by Textron Systems Corporation in the US and supplied to Saudi Arabia. [3] Although the US is not yet a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, US law bars the sale of these weapons to countries that use them in civilian areas. [4] But according to Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia did use these weapons in a civilian area. [5] Urge Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the Assistant Minority Leader, to advocate for a ban on sending these weapons to Saudi Arabia, including in the National Defense Authorization Act, by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.clusterconvention.org/ 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/world/middleeast/saudi-led-group-said-to-use-cluster-bombs-in-yemen.html 3. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408 4. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32572408 5. https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/05/03/yemen-saudi-led-airstrikes-used-cluster-munitions

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) have introduced [1] legislation that would impose new restrictions on U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia (S.J.R. 32). [2] Companion legislation in the House (H.J.R. 90) [3] has been introduced [4] by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL). Bernie Sanders surrogate Larry Korb has indicated that Senator Sanders would support the bill. [5] The legislation would require the President to certify that Saudi Arabia is cooperating with the U.S. against terrorism and protecting civilians in its war in Yemen before U.S. weapons could be transferred to Saudi Arabia. Urge your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor this legislation by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-paul-introduce-legislation-to-set-new-conditions-for-us-military-support-to-saudi-arabia- 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/32 3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-joint-resolution/90 4. https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-introduces-bi-partisan-bill-establish-new-guidelines 5. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/larry-korb-sanders-would_b_9760510.html

I regard drones as cowards' weapons, responsible for many collateral deaths and lasting destruction of families and communities. Being morally opposed to their use I need that information before supporting a candidate.

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) have initiated a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to maintain his policy of refusing to transfer shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles (“Manpads”) to Syrian combatants. This letter highlights the repeated votes by the House of Representatives in 2015 and 2016 that prohibited the use of any DOD funds to transfer Manpads to any party in the Syrian Civil War. Manpads can be fired at aircraft by individuals on the ground and easily hidden or transported in the trunk of a car. U.S. and Israeli officials have expressed concern that they could be used by terrorists to bring down commercial airliners. Since their first use against a civilian aircraft in 1978, thirty fatal MANPAD attacks have resulted in almost 1,000 civilian deaths. While the Obama Administration had previously opposed the transfer of MANPADs to parties in Syria, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Saudi Arabia and Turkey have increased pressure on Washington to up the ante in support of the moderate opposition in part by calling for the introduction of weapons systems that they know are a red line for Mr. Obama, such as Manpads.” [1] The transfer of these dangerous weapons to any non-state actor would be irresponsible, but the transfer to opposition groups in Syria could be particularly dangerous. Weapons transferred to Syrian insurgents in the past have wound up being used by insurgents in Iraq against the U.S.-backed Iraqi army and have been captured by terrorist groups Al-Nusra and ISIS. Urge your Representative to sign the Conyers-Yoho letter against sending Manpads to Syria by signing our petition. 1. http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-readies-plan-b-to-arm-syria-rebels-1460509400

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) have introduced legislation to prevent the U.S. from continuing to support Saudi-led military campaigns in places like Yemen where Saudi Arabia’s year-long campaign has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis and a security vacuum that has empowered our terrorist enemies al Qaeda and ISIS. The Murphy-Paul bipartisan legislation will require the President to formally certify that the government of Saudi Arabia is demonstrating an ongoing effort to target terrorist groups, minimize harm to civilians, and facilitate humanitarian assistance before Congress can consider the sale or transfer of air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia. [1] “I have yet to see evidence that the civil war we’re supplying and supporting in Yemen advances our national security. The more it drags on, the clearer it becomes that our military involvement on behalf of the Saudi-led coalition is prolonging human suffering in Yemen and aiding the very groups that are intent on attacking us,” Senator Murphy said. “I believe, along with Sen. Murphy, that the U.S. should halt the sale of air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia until Congress has conducted proper oversight and ensured that such munitions are being used in a way that is consistent with our country’s national security strategy and values,” Senator Paul said. The Murphy-Paul legislation will require the President to attest that Saudi Arabia is concretely demonstrating its anti-terror efforts and protection of civilians before Congress can consider a sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. [2] Urge the Senate to support the Murphy-Paul bill for greater oversight of U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-paul-introduce-legislation-to-set-new-conditions-for-us-military-support-to-saudi-arabia- 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/32

Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Keith Ellison, a high-profile supporter of Bernie Sanders, and former State Department official Huma Abedin, a high-profile supporter of Hillary Clinton, are two of the most prominent Muslim Americans in American politics. Apparently, the anti-American terrorist group Daesh ("ISIS") has a problem with the involvement of Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin in American political life. Apparently, that contradicts the anti-American Daesh propaganda line that there's no place for Muslims in America. Apparently, that's why Daesh has issued death threats against Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin. [1] Urge Congress to pass a resolution condemning Daesh death threats against Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin by signing our petition. References: 1. https://twitter.com/keithellison/status/720347634624524288

Americans for Peace Now - the US affiliate of the mainstream Israeli peace movement Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) - is calling for President Obama to support action in the United Nations Security Council to help bring about a diplomatic resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. [1] This is common sense: when the big powers want to resolve conflicts diplomatically, the United Nations Security Council is where they go to do it. That's how we got a diplomatic agreement on Iran's nuclear program; that's how we got a diplomatic agreement for a ceasefire in Syria. Unfortunately, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee [AIPAC] is lobbying Congress in the opposite direction, urging its activists to "encourage your senators and representative to oppose efforts to bring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the U.N. and other international bodies." AIPAC doesn't want the UN Security Council to take any action because AIPAC doesn't want the Israel-Palestine conflict to be resolved diplomatically. AIPAC wants to maintain the cruel and unjust status quo, which is guaranteed to produce more violence and unnecessary suffering for Israelis and Palestinians. Urge Congress to stand with Americans for Peace Now in favor of a diplomatic resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict by signing our petition. References: 1. http://peacenow.org/entry.php?id=17702

As a part of a school project I was encouraged to take global action on the topic of animal abuse. My goal is to get the US government to talk to other nations about animal rights and how animals should be treated. Specifically, my goal is to enact an international law that requires all pet stores to sell only animals that are in local animal shelters.

The Obama administration is weighing whether to sell dozens of advanced U.S. fighter jets to Qatar, a country that has been publicly rebuked by the U.S. Treasury Department for failing to take decisive action against Qataris who are providing funds to anti-American terrorist groups, including the al Qaeda-backed al-Nusra Front in Syria. Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons says the deal should not go forward until Qatar shows concrete evidence of a change in behavior. “The Qataris have shown a tolerance for extremism among the groups they have supported within Syria that has caused some real friction with our other regional allies and with the United States,” Sen. Coons said. [1] Urge President Obama and Congress to hold up the deal until Qatar makes concrete progress on cutting off money from Qatar for Al Qaeda in Syria. References: 1. http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/29/qatar-wants-to-buy-dozens-of-u-s-warplanes-why-wont-washington-sell-them/