With a female majority in the New York CIty Council, and with Latino Leadership in high positions on a decline, it is crucial that our City centers a Latina leader in our government to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion, and representation are prioritized.

When asked at the Chamber event honoring Irma Cauley why no action yet on the street renaming, a Bryan Councilmember responded "well, if everybody wants it." City Manager policy requires “100% of property owners, residents and business owners” to sign a written petition affirming their desire to rename their street Carey Cauley Jr Street. There is no ordinance -no law- on Bryan’s books to rename streets. Local community leader, Helen Washington, walked the streets gathering signatures. She's the spearhead who is crossing every "t" and dotting every "i.” Help her. EVERYBODY, please join Helen and everybody who lives on 21st Street to SUPPORT this effort to honor the Cauleys. Please SIGN to tell Bryan Mayor and City Council you SUPPORT renaming 21st Street to honor our local civil rights heroes.

1. Democracy must be the main story. Newspapers, television, and radio need to increase the frequency and in-depth reporting on democracy issues. Americans have to understand the strategies planned to manipulate elections – the voter suppression laws, extreme gerrymandering, replacement of honest election officials, and the scenarios for a losing candidate in 2024 to be declared the winner. 2. Stop routine “bothsides-ism" when covering the two major parties – half of the coverage to one and half to the other regardless of merit. Media should cover the facts and refute the lies -- not propagate them or give them equal time and space. When democracy is under attack, journalists should not cover it like politics as usual. 3. Journalists must hold politicians accountable. They must persistently interrogate every politician who is promoting lies. According to a recent CNN poll, “Almost 6 in 10 (59%) of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said that ‘believing that Donald Trump won the 2020 election’ was very or somewhat important to what being a Republican meant to them.” Almost all Republican officeholders and candidates have repeated lies about that election and January 6. The media are responsible for reporting the truth and countering the lies. 4. The press should not allow Koch organizations to receive free promotion of their op eds or commentaries. The Center of the American Experiment, the American Enterprise Institute, the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and many others are part of a coordinated group funded by the Koch donor network. Their anti-voter, anti-democracy agenda is well documented in Nancy MacLean’s book, Democracy in Chains, and should be exposed by the media. Indivisible MN03 has endorsed this petition. We are asking you to also sign and demand the media cover the struggle to save democracy!

The Rolling Stone article points out that Lauren Boebert and/or her staff were involved in the planning conversations, according to key witnesses, of the January 6th insurrection and attack on the U.S. Capitol. The reason it is important for individuals who believe in Democracy to sign our petition to demand that GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert is that by sending a message that the citizens of our country will not stand by and let far right extremists like Lauren Boebert destroy our nation and precious Democracy.

It's estimated that 47% of ALL U.S. homes have visible dampness and mold. People spend 90% of their time indoors, yet a lack of emphasis is put on indoor air quality and how that affects our health every day. The recent peer-reviewed medical journal “A Comprehensive Review of Mold Research Literature From 2011 – 2018” published in Internal Medicine Review concluded that 112 of 114 (98.2%) of epidemiological articles published between 2011 and 2018 supported the proposition that inhaled mold, mold fragments, toxins and various pathogenic inflammagen, or other components of the air in water-damaged buildings (WDB), cause single and multi-system illness in humans. Symptoms include chronic and daily manifestations of fatigue, pain, nonrestorative sleep, cognitive deficits, neuropathic pains, gastrointestinal issues, musculoskeletal compromise, post-exertional malaise, dermatological, ophthalmic, endocrine, and other chronic multisystem symptoms for those suffering. These studies included 273,000 subjects from over 30 countries and 5 continents! The time for adequate funding for research and awareness on this overlooked public health issue is long overdue.

Throughout the recent electoral redistricting process undertaken by the Montgomery County Redistricting Committee, the Derwood community repeatedly told the Redistricting Commission that it was vitally important that our community not be split across multiple districts. When the initial three maps were released on October 13th, we were pleased to note that two of the three maps kept Derwood intact and placed us in districts which shared many common issues with our community. This is important because it helps ensure equal representation of all communities within a district. We were optimistic that our concerns were being addressed and going forward our community would be fairly represented by its Councilmember. This optimism crashed to earth on October 20th when the Redistricting Commission approved a map which splits Derwood. A portion of Derwood, west of Shady Grove Road and north of Muncaster/Muncaster Mill, has been included in the Upcounty/Midcounty district. A district which shares a lot of commonalities with the Derwood community. The remainder of our community, however, has been appended to a district which includes Aspen Hill and Glenmont and extends to Wheaton and Forest Glen! One only needs to look at Google maps to see that this portion of Derwood is separated from the rest of the proposed Wheaton district by Rock Creek Regional Park, Lake Bernard Frank, and Lake Needwood and shares a lot of commonalities with the proposed Upcounty/Midcounty district while sharing little to none with the proposed Wheaton district. We have no idea whatsoever why this portion of Derwood has been included in the proposed Wheaton district except to increase the population of this proposed district which even with the inclusion of this portion of Derwood is undersized. If this proposed map is implemented, Derwood would reside in the forgotten periphery of this district. The Councilmember representing this proposed district will be more concerned with the majority, its interests will drive the agenda of the Councilmember, and Derwood will be marginalized. During the Redistricting Commission’s October 20th meeting Commissioner Stein, author of this map, stated that "We should not be drawing maps to advantage one part of the county and disadvantage another part of the county", however, Commissioner Stein has done just that to Derwood. This portion of Derwood is truly in another part of the county when compared to the remainder of the proposed Wheaton district. We should never seek to enfranchise one part of the county while disenfranchising another. For reference, the web site of the Redistricting Committee is here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/BCC/redistricting/index.html

We all deserve the basic right of being able to survive with our wage, of being able to afford to feed our families, pay the roof over our heads, and be able to eat, like every other working professional. We are professionals who should be compensated fairly.

Trump was banned by Facebook and Twitter for a reason. He is dangerous, and we have seen that his use of social media incited the deadly white supremacist-led insurrection on our Capitol on January 6, 2021. He also proved negligent in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, using lies to promote anti-vaccine and anti-mask sentiments. Apple should not give Trump a platform which will give further voice to his harmful ways. Apple must do the right thing immediately. As a longtime consumer of Apple products, I must say that my faith in your company is weakened knowing that you support this app currently. I can't imagine that Apple is OK with the negative association and public reception of Trump's nefarious ways. Since other tech companies have done the right thing and stopped him from spreading disinformation, Apple must follow suit. Do not be his outlet for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, misogyny, anti-vax, or any other form of hate. We are watching you, Apple.

Our organization believes in accountability, transparency, and Voter protection- this surprise redistricting map violates those principles to the utmost extent. We believe that the County Council should follow the recommendations of the maps submitted by the Prince George's Redistricting Commission, ensuring that redistricting serves the community, not elected officials.

The far right continues push this country towards more acts of violence, bigotry, and hatred. They want to keep this country divided for their own sick, and perverse need for money and power. I, myself, am not a part of the LGBTQ community, but my children all have friends, or others they know that have suffered from parents, and other children, all due to their minds being poisoned by falsehoods, and hatred towards something they often know little about. I don't need to be someone in the LGBTQ community to care about their suffering. I only wish that those that are hateful, and bigoted in this country would educate themselves, and look inward as to why they are so afraid of something that does not directly affect them. Our children need to be taught understanding, and that everyone deserves the right to live their lives free of fear. Teaching children that everyone should be treated with respect, and dignity shouldn't ever be a question. We may have come a long way towards the treatment of the LGBTQ community, but we still have so many miles to go.

Why This Matters    In a nation built on the ideals of equality and shared freedom, Día de los Muertos offers an opportunity to emphasize unity in our shared fate. It serves as a reminder that no matter who we are, where we come from, or how we live, we all face the same human experience.    By officially recognizing this holiday, the U.S. would:    • Honor the legacy of diverse communities, especially those of Hispanic and Latin American descent, whose traditions enrich our nation.  • Create a space for all Americans to reflect on the fragility of life, the importance of remembrance, and the need for compassion and equality.  • Promote healing and unity, helping us look beyond our differences and focus on our shared existence.    The message of Día de los Muertos is particularly poignant in these times of division. It reminds us that, in the end, we are all bound by the same human experience, an experience that calls for unity, understanding, and mutual respect.  Call to Action    We, the undersigned, urge Congress and the President to formally recognize Día de los Muertos as a national holiday to be observed annually on November 2nd. By doing so, we will create a day for all Americans to honor their ancestors and reflect on the values of equality, family, and our shared humanity.    On November 2nd, 2024, we will gather at the National Mall to celebrate Día de los Muertos with cultural performances, live music, art, activities, speeches, and more, all emphasizing the importance of unity in life and death. Joined by advocates, community leaders, and citizens from across the nation, this event will serve as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the values of remembrance and togetherness.     This petition serves as a call for all Americans to embrace the values of Día de los Muertos, recognizing that in death we are all the same, and that in life, we must strive for the same equality, respect, and compassion for all.     By establishing Día de los Muertos as a national holiday, we honor not just a tradition, but the universal human experience. We affirm that our shared mortality should lead to shared humanity in life, an understanding that transcends divisions and brings us closer together.    Last year, we were proud to receive the official "Celebration of the Day" from the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs in Washington, D.C.  This year, we have made history by receiving the "Proclamation of the Day"  from DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser, herself.  These acknowledgments mark significant milestones in celebrating the cultural and spiritual importance of the holiday within the nation's capital. The support from local government not only highlights the growing influence of the Latino community but also demonstrates a collective commitment to honoring traditions that bring people together in unity and remembrance. This recognition has further inspired us to advocate for making Día de los Muertos a national holiday, so its message of shared humanity can resonate across the country.    The time has come for us to recognize this day, not only as a cultural celebration but as a reminder of our common destiny and the dignity we all share. Let us take this opportunity to embrace our shared past, present, and future.    Sincerely,  La Familia DDLMDC      Please sign this petition to support the recognition of Día de los Muertos as a national holiday and to honor our shared mortality, humanity, and community.  #DDLM4ALL

Small Business owners and White Center organizers ask for your support by signing below and CALLING: Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember: 206-477-1008 Dow Constantine, King County Executive: 206-263-9600 Senator Joe Nguyen, 360-786-7667 John Taylor, Department of Local Services Director: 206-477-3800 Phone Script - “Hello my name is ______ and I am a resident/supporter of White Center. I am calling because I am concerned about the recent rash of fires in White Center and your lack of action. I support the White Center Business Petition and I urge you to take action now.”