Serious, realistic negotiations with Iran produced a political agreement on Iran’s nuclear program that thwarted the Republican push for war. Now, while most Republican presidential candidates and Hillary Clinton have called for escalating the war in Syria by imposing a “no fly zone,” [1] fifty-five House Democrats, led by Rep. Jim Himes, have called for international talks to end the war, including Russia and Iran. [2] While we work to end the war through diplomacy, helping refugees will cost less money and better protect human life than military escalation. [3] Urge President Obama and Congress to push to end the war through realistic diplomacy with Russia and Iran and do more to help refugees in the meantime by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/us/politics/gop-candidates-leading-charge-in-call-for-syrian-no-fly-zone.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/world/syria-exposes-split-between-obama-and-clinton.html; http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/19/us/elections/presidential-candidates-on-syria-no-fly-zone.html 2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/rep-jim-himes--54-house-d_b_8222622.html 3. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-refugees-resettlement-us/411178/

Abdul worked as a linguist for a friend of mine during the war. He is trapped because the war in Afghanistan has not ended. Especially for people like Abdul M., employed for six years by the U.S. as a linguist to translate and as interpreter between Afghan citizens and our military forces. After a rigorous screening process, the linguists were placed in positions where they honorably gained the trust of their American comrades and served with distinction. As the Taliban incursion moves in, Abdul M. is trapped, harassed, hunted, and if captured, will surely be tortured and die. He is struggling to survive and save his family. He would need enormous sums of money to smuggle himself and his family out to countries where borders are shutting down daily for desperate refugees such as Abdul and his family. Abdul M. is caught in a legal and bureaucratic nightmare called “administrative processing.” He applied for a Special Immigration Visa (SIV) three years ago. Afghans who worked on behalf of the U.S. Government, who helped U.S. Forces were promised SIVs. Section 602(b) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, authorizes the issuance of SIVs to Afghan nationals who were employed in Afghanistan by the U.S. government. Why is it taking so long to complete Linguist Abdul M’s application? Enough waiting. Our government’s bureaucracy can no longer be an excuse for letting those who helped us get slaughtered. Our linguist Abdul M. needs our protection. Enough procrastination. Abdul M’s application needs to be expedited now. He and his family should be brought safely to the US now.

The crisis in Syria and the suffering of the Syrian people shocks the conscience. While the crisis will not be solved tomorrow, the world can step up and help those who are fleeing violence and oppression. As President Obama said during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, “There are no easy answers to Syria…But so many families need help right now; they don’t have time.” To date, over four million Syrians have fled their country, nearly eight million are internally displaced, and over 220,000 civilians have been killed as a result of the ongoing conflict. Recently President Obama announced that the United States would resettle at least 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year. While we appreciate the President’s effort, the United States can and should do more. That is why we are calling on the United States government to increase the number of Syrian refugees resettled in the United States. Please join us in signing this petition calling on the United States government to allow more Syrian refugees into our country.

As a candidate for Canadian Prime Minister, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau committed to scrapping any purchase of the costly Lockheed Martin F-35 jet. [1] Now that he is Prime Minister-designate following Canada’s election, we encourage him to follow through on his pledge, dismissing claims that this would make the US unhappy. Refusing to purchase the F-35 has been portrayed in some US media as a slap at the US. The New York Times even claimed that if the US didn’t approve the Keystone pipeline, Canada could retaliate by refusing to buy the F-35. [2] But US taxpayers have no interest in the Pentagon’s efforts to keep this costly program alive. [3] On the contrary, US taxpayers will be better off when the taxpayer-ripoff F-35 program is killed completely, and Trudeau’s fulfillment of his pledge will bring that happy day closer because the Pentagon’s plans to keep the boondoggle alive depend crucially on foreign purchases. Encourage Prime Minister-designate Trudeau to dismiss claims that canceling Canadian purchase of the F-35 is “anti-US” and fulfill his pledge by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/09/20/liberals-would-scrap-f-35-jet-purchase.html; http://www.defenseone.com/management/2015/10/what-if-canada-doesnt-buy-f-35/122976/ 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/business/energy-environment/obamas-keystone-pipeline-decision-risks-new-problems-either-way.html 3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/07/25/how-the-f-35-boondoggle-shows-that-deficit-hawkery-is-a-sham/; http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2014/07/14/pentagons-big-budget-f-35-fighter-cant-turn-cant-climb-cant-run/; http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/07/09/3458101/f35-boondoggle-fail/

We need to help put an end to Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, as well as their inhumane treatment of the Palestinians.

I strongly believe that there is no place for hate and racism is politics. Shiv Sena has been openly spreading Hate Speech and violence against the Indian Muslims and the Pakistani citizens who are visiting India.

The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was kidnapped on October 14, 2015 by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos, British-Nigeria, and currently undergoing Torture. After 4 days, He has still not been charged, allowed visitation, allowed representation, and or any official statements as to the reason his civil rights are violated. President Muhammadu Buhari must stop breaking International Treaties against "Torture" and "Enforced Disappearance" which he is under obligation to respect. Nnamdi Kanu’s life is under severe threat because he exposes the endemic corruption of British-Nigeria; and the grave dangers that ongoing systemic marginalization and massacring of Biafrans by British-Nigeria Muslims, Islamic terrorists, military and police forces portend for his people via Radio Biafra. His abduction therefore is a slap in the face of United Nations, and all free people. Freedom of speech and association is being assaulted by Buhari in full view of the world. Do not be silent. Sign the petition to free Nnamdi Kanu, and hold those who commit crimes against humanity accountable. See details here: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1277744

Violence against civilians is again escalating in Israel-Palestine. As with so many conflicts around the world, only a political resolution will ultimately end the violence in Israel-Palestine. Senator Bernie Sanders is calling for a realistic political resolution to the conflict and ending violations of international humanitarian law: [1] “The U.S. must play a leading role in creating a two-state solution, which will require significant compromises from both sides. The Palestinians must unequivocally recognize Israel’s right to exist, and hold accountable those who have committed terrorist acts. The Israelis must end the blockade of Gaza, and cease developing settlements on Palestinian land. Both sides must negotiate in good faith regarding all other outstanding issues that stand in the way of a durable and lasting peace in the region. In the meantime, strict adherence, by all sides, to the tenets of international humanitarian law is necessary in order to avoid escalating the conflict yet again.” As Senator Sanders says, compromise will be required by both sides; that’s obvious. But in Washington, acknowledgment that Israel needs to compromise is missing. Stand with Senator Bernie Sanders in urging President Obama and Congress to support a realistic political resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict by signing our petition. 1. “Israel and Palestine,” Senator Bernie Sanders, https://berniesanders.com/issues/war-and-peace/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFFD18dgH6w The dictator has been in power for 30 years now and must resign. As elections approach in February 2016, his repression has gotten out of hand. Recently in a wild tirade he promised to "smash" his political opponents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2JZh-ooZs8&feature=youtu.be%20https://www.facebook.com/bahati.remmy/videos/900314046724138/?autoplay_reason=user_settings Soon after that outburst, on October 10, his security forces abused and molested a woman, Ms. Zaina Fatuma, who is a leading member of Uganda's leading opposition political party Forum for Democratic Change. (Please share this ugly video of Ms. Fatuma's abuse with all your friends so the true nature of the Museveni regime is known to the world.) Ms. Fatuma was part of a convoy traveling with Dr. Kizza Besigye, leader of the FDC and presidential candidate, to address supporters in Western Uganda. The convoy was ambushed by police, who threw spiked belts on the road causing a major chain-accident of car crashes. It was a miracle no one was killed. Ms. Fatuma was arrested with other FDC party members -- she was the only one stripped naked by male and female officers. Sexually assaulting female opposition leaders has become a pattern in Uganda -- in April 2012, Ingrid Turinawe, a key FDC leader, was dragged out of her car by her breasts while being arrested in broad daylight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdyMYGdXIAQ Gen. Museveni, who fears a popular uprising, pushed through a law called Public Order Management, which makes illegal a meeting of three or more Ugandans without permission of his feared police chief Gen. Kale Kayihura. Gen. Museveni has also been training civilians into armed militias called "Crime Preventers." Many people believe these militias will be unleashed to intimidate and brutalize supporters of opposition parties before, during and after elections. Some are as young as 10 years old, as photos posted on the official State House Facebook page shows. Gen. Museveni used child-soldiers years ago when he was a militia leader before he came to power. https://www.facebook.com/statehouseug/photos/pb.158559710878311.-2207520000.1444955359./991038347630439/?type=3&theater In the West, Gen. Museveni is known mostly for his attacks against LGBTs, such as when he told CNN that gays are "disgusting." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ExVsMopMc However, little is known about his brutality against all Ugandans -- often not mentioned in Western media. All parts of Uganda have been touched by Gen. Museveni's tyranny: millions have perished, including in confinement camps for 20 years in its Acholi region. He has also caused the deaths of millions of Africans in Congo, Rwanda and South Sudan with his military invasions. Finally, his top officials have been abandoning him. His former prime minister and Secretary General of the ruling National Resistance Party (NRM) party until last year, Mr. Amama Mbabazi, is now running for president against him. Even with the political repression and attacks against Ugandan women, Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Uganda on November 27, 2015. Will the pope ask his host, the dictator, about his attacks on women? The atmosphere of violence unleashed by Gen. Museveni will only worsen heading into the elections. He cannot win a free-and-fair vote, but will rely on rigging with his hand-picked election commission and violence by his police, army, and militias. Museveni's own party, the NRM, should replace him with another candidate and force him to retire. Gen. Museveni knows that he can only retain power through violence. Uganda has suffered enough. He must RESIGN.

During the first Democratic presidential debate, the following exchange took place between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders regarding U.S. policy in Syria: [1] CLINTON: … And, to — provide safe zones so that people are not going to have to be flooding out of Syria at the rate they are. SANDERS: Well, let’s understand that when we talk about Syria, you’re talking about a quagmire in a quagmire. You’re talking about groups of people trying to overthrow Assad, other groups of people fighting ISIS. You’re talking about people who are fighting ISIS using their guns to overthrow Assad, and vice versa. I’m the former chairman of the Senate Veterans Committee, and in that capacity I learned a very powerful lesson about the cost of war, and I will do everything that I can to make sure that the United States does not get involved in another quagmire like we did in Iraq, the worst foreign policy blunder in the history of this country. We should be putting together a coalition of Arab countries who should be leading the effort. We should be supportive, but I do not support American ground troops in Syria. CLINTON: ...Well, nobody does. Nobody does, Senator Sanders. This was a deceptive response by Hillary Clinton, because as Clinton surely knows, for the US to establish “safe zones” in Syria would require the use of US ground troops, as Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of U.S. Centcom, has testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee. [2] Urge Congress and the Administration to oppose any use of US ground troops in Syria, including to establish so-called “safe zones,” by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/us/politics/democratic-debate-transcript.html 2. http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/u-s-general-only-handful-of-syrian-fighters-remain-in-battle-against-isis/

During the first Democratic presidential debate, CNN journalist Anderson Cooper challenged Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders about his supposed “electability” issues in this way: “The question is really about electability here, and that’s what I’m trying to get at. You — the — the Republican attack ad against you in a general election — it writes itself. You supported the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. You honeymooned in the Soviet Union. And just this weekend, you said you’re not a capitalist. Doesn’t — doesn’t that ad write itself?” [1] Anderson Cooper is showing his pro-Empire bias by trying to re-write the history of U.S. foreign policy in Nicaragua on the side of the Empire. Millions of Americans “supported the Sandinistas in Nicaragua.” In 1979, the Sandinista National Liberation Front overthrew the US government-installed Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua, promising to address Nicaragua’s extreme poverty and the lack of basic government services like education and health care for the majority of the population. In 1982, Nicaragua was recognized by the World Health Organization as the third world country that had made the most progress in health care. Under the Reagan Administration, the CIA organized a terrorist army (the “Contras”) to attack the Nicaraguan government. Millions of Americans participated in a solidarity movement to oppose US military intervention in Nicaragua, including public radio host Ira Glass [2], actors Ed Asner, Mike Farrell and Diane Ladd, civil rights leader Julian Bond [3] and engineer Ben Linder, who was killed in a terrorist attack by the CIA’s army. [4] The US-Nicaragua solidarity movement succeeded in passing the Boland Amendment in Congress, cutting off US funding to the CIA’s terrorist army, which led the Reagan Administration to try to fund the Contras illegally through arms sales to Iran. When this illegal arrangement was exposed, it became the Iran-Contra scandal. [5] Challenge Anderson Cooper to provide evidence for his unsubstantiated claim that having opposed the CIA’s illegal war against Nicaragua in the 1980s is a political liability in the United States today by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/us/politics/democratic-debate-transcript.html 2. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/378/transcript 3. http://www.csmonitor.com/1984/1123/112357.html 4. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1996/09/23/in-search-of-ben-linders-killers 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boland_Amendment

I am a human rights lawyer who represents immigrant and refugee children. Following last year's "surge" in families and children seeking refuge in the U.S., the Obama Administration increased funding to Mexico to step up arrests and summary deportations of Central American refugees so as to prevent them from reaching the United States. As the New York Times and the Guardian have recently reported, Mexico is carrying out these deportations in wholesale disregard of its obligation under international law not to return persons to countries in which their lives are at risk. The United States must stop funding Mexico's deportation program until reputable international bodies determine that Mexico is complying with its obligation to provide asylum to those fleeing horrendous violence.