We don't need Federal officers in camouflage and tactical gear in our Chicago streets with tear gas, shotting at mainly non-violent protesters, and used unmarked vehicles to arrest and detain protesters. The American Civil Liberties Union has called the behavior of federal officers in other cities such as Portland Oregon 'flat out unconstitutional". Federal authorities have no right to police an American city against the wishes of local leaders.

Defunding the police is important because the police don't keep us safe. They put black people and there bodies at risk everyday. And for many years we have already tried reform. We have tried to reform the police and change them. But it just doesn't work. Now we need to take away some of the funding so that they hear our message. And use some of that money to invest in our communities. Investing in health care, schools, and many other essential necessities, where funding is lacked.

Decisions are made by these officials and laws and policies are put in place which affect the lives and well-being of the people that the officials represent. The people need to know to what extent the officials benefit from new legislation and policy decisions. Corruption only has a chance to be eliminated or greatly reduced with full disclosure by those seeking to be in power.

Hi! I'm Madeline i recently wrote an appeal to get the lgbtq+ panic defense banned What's the lgbtq+ panic defense? “The LGBTQ+ panic defense strategy (also called the ‘gay panic defense’ or ‘trans panic defense’) is a legal strategy that asks a jury to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is to blame for a defendant’s violent reaction, including murder. It is not a free-standing defense to criminal liability, but rather a legal tactic used to bolster other defenses. When a perpetrator uses an LGBTQ+ panic defense, they are claiming that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity not only explains — but excuses — a loss of self-control and the subsequent assault. By fully or partially acquitting the perpetrators of crimes against LGBTQ+ victims, this defense implies that LGBTQ+ lives are worth less than others.”So i assume you're pretty horrified something like this exists, well you can do something abt it. You could sign my petition!

As of July 4th over 132,000 people in the US have lost their lives to COVID-19. Despite being six months into the pandemic, there are still many unanswered questions. However, what we do know for sure is that masking up is an effective way to prevent the spread of this virus. Wearing a mask prevents people with COVID-19 from spreading it to others. This is a crucial line of defense when combatting a virus that can be spread even if a person doesn't have symptoms. Governor Abbott knows these facts and agrees that we must all wear masks in public to keep Texas open. Governor Abbott states that he does not want to suppress Texas voters who may not have a mask. By not extending the mask order to polling locations he will, unintentionally, suppress voters who are, appropriately, fearful of contracting COVID-19. As an emergency room pediatrician I am gravely concerned that we will see increased cases related to this election. As a state we have all sacrificed so much, we cannot allow our elections to further fan the flames of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please, tell Governor Abbott to include election polling locations in the statewide mask mandate.

We are all front line workers through this pandemic and a lot of us are struggling also. Most of but as we know not all, the people that are out of work are the ones that don't need to work because they make thousands of dollars. The ones that are standing there on that front line are lower paid people that deserve that money also. I agree the extra money shall be there for unemployment but where is our bonus pay?

Imagine a scenario in which a domestic dispute occurred between you and a partner. Which professional would you feel more comfortable speaking with? Which professional do you feel would be more capable of providing you resources for next steps? An armed officer? Or a plains clothed, unarmed social worker? Sign this petition to enact social workers into non violent roles in the community. A calming, unarmed presence, aimed to reduce escalation can decrease brutality between police and citizens, and in addition, can save lives.

Without the pretense of an interest in an independent judiciary, Republicans should no longer be permitted to debase the federal courts to the detriment of all Americans for generations. Their appalling suggestion that judges should be Republicans is consistent with the party’s conviction that it should rule rather than govern. And they want to do so on behalf of less than a majority of Americans: primarily white, primarily male voter base. Carl Hulse (March 16, 2020 edition of The New York Times: McConnell Has a Request for Veteran Federal Judges: Please Quit) says: “Republicans are reminding the judges that it could be another eight years — 2029 — before they could leave under a Republican president.” I therefore urge every Republican Senator to publicly and irrevocably state he or she that – until after Inauguration Day January 2021 - will not sit on any confirmation hearings or, if not on the Committee, will not vote to approve any nominee to a federal court.

Voting needs to be accessible to as many people as possible in order to boost voter turnout. Most people use and have access to personal electronic devices, and are willing to use these devices to vote in elections. Increasing voter turnout in this way, will provide a greater reflection of whom the people want to be their leaders moving forward. Election results would also be more efficient and effective. It is time to do away with our current antiquated voting process, and act as we are in the present, so that we can improve upon our future.

This is vitally important to the survival of our democracy. Four more years of a Trump administration will further erode the basic principles of our society and endorse the authoritarian character of his governing style.

The Town attempted to fly the Gay Pride Flag and DCR removed the flag and will not allow the Town of Nahant to fly the Gay Pride Flag during the month of June.

If we can afford 5 trillion dollars for the wealthiest thousand citizens and endless wars, we can afford college for lower to lower middle income families as an investment in our collective future. All of the things are and more are possible........Let’s do them!!!