Chicago is better than the fear and anti-refugee platform Illinois' governor is taking. We will not close the door in the face of people seeking safety no matter what Gov. Rauner says. Welcoming refugees fleeing from violence is the best response to violence, and Mayor Emanuel has the responsibility of distinguishing our city policy from the governor's declaration.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott equates terrorism with Syrian refugees and is refusing to allow Syrian refugees into the State of Texas. Let him know you do not support this racist view and stand with the rights and safety of Syrian refugees by signing this petition against Governor Abbott's stance. Let him know he does not speak for Texas.

We are all horrified by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and other parts of the world, and mourn the loss of innocent lives. But an increasing number of reactionary governors across the U.S. have used these tragedies to announce that they will stop all acceptance of Syrian refugees. We stand against this collective and cruel punishment of refugees. These individuals are escaping the very same terrorism that the world has witnessed in Paris and Beirut. Syrians have been killed by the thousands, millions have been displaced, and their entire livelihoods destroyed by the likes of ISIS and the Assad regime. The United States must be steadfast in its commitment to remain a sanctuary for refugees fleeing political and religious persecution—from all across the world. We demand these governors stop using their hatred and xenophobia to shut out Syrian refugees who are in dire need of normalcy and safety. We call on these governors to refrain from making decisions rooted in misinformation and fear. Let us remember the words etched on the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of a long tradition of welcoming immigrants, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Syrians should not be forced to die by violence, for lack of shelter, or because we believe we are not called to extend mercy and care. We are called, and we must listen.

We cannot let fear keep us from doing what is right. These refugees need our help. There has to be a better way then a total halt on accepting refugees, such as stricter restrictions or a more thorough approval processes--instead of a blanket "no." These people, these humans, are not our enemy.

UPDATE: Governor Fallin has released a statement urging President Obama to suspend the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. She has not made a clear statement about whether she will join other governors in attempting to deny all refugee entry into Oklahoma. Legally, governors are not allowed to make this decision but that does not mean they won't try. Keep spreading this petition and let her know that Oklahomans want to welcome the suffering with open arms and help them in the best way that we can. Syrian refugees are fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children. This country is a symbol of freedom and hope to those who are suffering, and refusing those who need protection is signing their death warrant. Rather than refuse to accept refugees, Governor Fallin and other state governors should be working with the federal government to create efficient and effective screening processes so that our state can welcome those who are suffering. The protection of ALL human life should be our top priority.

Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz jut said, in the wake of last week's attacks, that the United States should admit Christian, but not Muslim, refugees. The idea of placing religious requirements on people fleeing war and persecution is downright ridiculous, and President Obama has already called out the idea as such. Join us in telling Sen. Cruz that his behavior is un-presidential, and un-American and demand he cease pandering to Islamophobes with his offensive rhetoric.

The devastating terrorist attacks in Paris are tragic and heartbreaking. Therefore, we resist the urge to respond by with more terror and tragedy. and move to respond, instead, with mercy and compassion. Refugees in Paris fled their homeland to escape this very violence. Closing the borders will not harm terrorists, only those fleeing from terrorists. Civilians in Syria and elsewhere are suffering under ISIS. Bombing innocent civilians is exactly the act causing this outrage in the first place. Violence, oppression and exploitation started this mess. War will not get us out. Instead, let's launch ground troops of compassion and launch a campaign to destroy poverty.

We are seeing a repeat of Hitler and not doing enough to make a difference.

France has been subjected to horrific terrorist attacks, apparently by ISIS, on the eve of international meetings to increase cooperation against ISIS in Syria. [1] Some people seem to think that ISIS terrorism is really terrible only when it hurts people they consider their “friends.” When ISIS killed civilians in Beirut, some people minimized it because the civilians were killed in a predominantly Shia neighborhood. [2] When ISIS apparently brought down a Russian civilian plane in Egypt, some people minimized it because the passengers were predominantly Russian tourists. [3] Urge President Obama and Congress to support cooperation with all countries that are the victim of ISIS terrorism by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/world/europe/attacks-in-paris-add-urgency-to-talks-on-ending-syria-war.html 2. http://fair.org/home/media-turn-civilian-isis-victims-in-beirut-into-hezbollah-human-shields/ 3. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/10/syria-world-putin-bombing-russian-jet; http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/egypt-plane-crash-this-attack-shows-that-russia-is-hurting-isis-a6725566.html

New Mexico Democratic Senator Tom Udall is right about the Syria war when he says, “escalating American involvement in a complex ethnic and religious civil war by deploying ground troops is a mistake that will lead to further chaos and risk more American lives and taxpayer funds in yet another Middle Eastern war.” He is also right to assert that “U.S. boots on the ground put the United States on shaky legal ground under both the War Powers [Resolution] and international law. Congress has not provided an authorization for the use of military force in Syria, and we have not been invited by Syria, as we have in Iraq, to provide support for groups opposed to ISIL.” [1] Senator Udall, backed by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy and Republican Sen. Mike Lee, has introduced legislation which would block US military expenditure in Syria except for non-lethal humanitarian aid and intelligence gathering until and unless Congress explicitly approves such expenditures. [2] Urge your Senators and Representative to support Sen. Udall’s bill by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/11/10/syria-boots-on-the-ground-sen-tom-udall-editorials-debates/75536568/ 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2239

The majority of Democrats sympathize with Palestinian as well as Israeli political aspirations. [1] But you wouldn’t know this from following the news from Washington, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes Palestinian political aspirations, expects to get a warm welcome from Democrats without being challenged to change his policies towards the Palestinians. Representatives Keith Ellison, John Yarmuth, and Debbie Dingell are trying to do something about that. They’re circulating a letter among their colleagues, asking them to stand up for a political resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, to stand up equally for Palestinian and Israeli aspirations and humanity. [2] Urge Representatives to sign the Ellison-Yarmuth-Dingell letter by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.gallup.com/poll/181682/americans-closely-split-palestinian-statehood.aspx 2. http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/letters/ellison-yarmuth-dingell-letter-israel-palestine-peace