More details:   Elsy Berrios, a mother and Westminster resident, was violently taken into ICE custody by two agents (one of them masked) on March 31, 2025 in Westminster, MD. The agents did not produce a warrant, and Berrios was not resisting. Her daughter filmed as the ICE agents violated Berrios’ constitutional fourth amendment right by smashing her car window and taking her away. Ms. Berrios has an employee authorization document and had been working as a seamstress while she applied for asylum. Now, Berrios is being detained at the Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center in Pennsylvania, and, in an immigration court that is operating under the Trump administration Department of Justice’s interpretation and bidding, Berrios was denied bond. On April 14, 2025, Sheriff DeWees said of Ms. Berrios, “It’s about time they came up and got her. She’s no big loss to this community.” We condemn Sheriff DeWees’ cavalier dehumanization of a community member based on unsubstantiated and disputed allegations. This is just one example of how ICE agents, with the support of local law enforcement, are enacting the Trump administration’s illegal reign of terror on immigrants’ right in our backyard. Carroll County Sheriff Jim Dewees and Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker claim that local cooperation with ICE is just "common sense.” They characterize people as "illegal" for simply existing in Carroll County while they work through an intentionally broken immigration system. They conflate being arrested with being guilty. They say cooperation with ICE will make Carroll County “safer.” But, we know that these claims of “common sense” and “safety” mask actions that trample Carroll County residents’ constitutional due process rights, that pit neighbor against neighbor, that erode trust between immigrants and the police, and that result in less community safety.  In March 2025, the Carroll County Sheriff’s office signed a working agreement with ICE to provide Warrant Service Officer (WSO) training to Carroll County Detention Center deputies. Due to a bill in the Maryland General Assembly attempting to ban such an agreement, DeWees did not immediately implement it. Now that the legislative session has ended and such agreements were not banned, DeWees has a green light to begin the WSO training. The training will allow Carroll County Detention Center deputies to serve and execute ICE administrative arrest warrants to people held in Carroll County detention who are believed to be undocumented immigrants. Warrant Service Officer training agreements are part of the 287(g) program, which draws its name from the Immigration and Nationality Act that authorizes it. 287(g) agreements create partnerships between ICE and local and state law enforcement – delegating authority to allow local officers to perform some of the same functions as an immigration officer.  Sheriff DeWees mischaracterizes 287(g) agreements as “non-discriminatory” and all about community safety. But, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) researchers describe WSO Programs as “an attempt to shield local officers from liability when they violate people’s rights, and as a way to subvert state and local decisions not to participate in immigration enforcement.” In direct contradiction to DeWees’ claims –  • Uniform crime report data show that 287(g) programs do not make communities safer.  • Data show that 287(g) programs undermine public safety “by decreasing trust in local law enforcement and diverting resources away from investigation of serious crimes.”   • 287(g) programs are feeding into a discriminatory immigration system. And studies have shown that “programs pushing more collaboration between local police and ICE like 287(g) use racial profiling to stop, arrest, and deport Black and Brown immigrants.” Carroll County residents’ politics are varied, but we are united in our desire to keep an inhumane, illegal, and weaponized immigration system out of our county. We have seen how ICE agents violated Elsy Berrios’ rights in our community. We have  seen ICE agents enacting illegal orders by detaining and “disappearing”  Kilmar Abrego Garcia and over 200 other immigrants to CECOT prison in El Salvador with no due process. We have seen ICE weaponized to suppress the free speech of students and others who lawfully protest. We have seen videos of ICE agents harassing and brutalizing people all over the country including in our region. Imagine what we have not seen! Under any circumstances, we do not support local cooperation with ICE or 287(g) agreements, which have been shown to be racist and dangerous for communities. Under the current presidential administration, cooperation with ICE and implementation of 287(g) agreements amount to local facilitation of and complicity with illegal and inhumane orders. ICE is currently not operating under constitutional principles. Therefore, Carroll County residents demand that the Sheriff’s office end all cooperation with ICE and end the WSO training 287(g) agreement.  The ACLU states that “the fundamental constitutional protections of due process and equal protection embodied in our Constitution and Bill of Rights apply to every person, regardless of immigration status.” As we see these rights being trampled across the United States and in Carroll County, we are speaking up to protect ourselves and our neighbors. It is now the Carroll County Sheriff office’s turn to be on the right side of history and stand up for the rights of immigrants and all community members by serving the Carroll County community instead of serving the Trump administration’s brutal and inhumane agenda.

“Why should other people join me in my campaign for the Correctional Transparency Act?” “Because every person — whether inside or outside prison walls — deserves accountability, safety, and dignity. Right now, too many abuses go unseen and unheard behind locked doors. Requiring body cameras in all state and federal prisons and jails is a simple, powerful step toward transparency and justice. This isn’t just about protecting inmates — it’s about protecting correctional officers, restoring public trust, and making sure our tax-funded institutions uphold the values we claim to stand for. By joining this campaign, you’re standing up for human rights, government accountability, and common-sense reform. Together, we can shine a light where it’s long been dark — and help create a correctional system that’s safer, fairer, and more just for everyone.”

Bullying isn't just "kids being kids"—it's a crisis that claims lives, destroys self-esteem, and leaves lasting emotional scars. When we stay silent, we allow a system that tolerates cruelty to continue. When we speak up, we save lives. You should join this campaign because: • Every child deserves safety. Schools should be places of learning, not fear. No child should dread going to school because of harassment, threats, or violence. • Tragedies like Jason’s death are preventable. This is not an isolated incident. When bullying is ignored or mishandled, it escalates—with heartbreaking consequences. • Legislation works. With clear laws in place, schools are held accountable, educators are equipped to intervene, and students know there are consequences. Change doesn't happen in silence—it happens through action and policy. • We all have a role to play. Whether you're a parent, teacher, student, or simply someone who cares, your voice matters. Real change requires a community united in compassion, courage, and conviction. By standing together, we can turn pain into purpose—and make sure no other child is lost because we failed to protect them. This is about saving lives, healing families, and building a kinder future. Join us. Speak out. Push for the protection our children deserve.

My freshman year of high school, I was on the Max, when our Max was stopped for several minutes while the TriMet Safety and Response Team arrived, to help a man who has overdosed. Fortunately, the man was fine, but had there been more drugs in his system, without Narcan, he would have died in the time it took for the Safety Team to get there. I have had multiple people tell me about how they are on drugs, and have been multiple people be kicked off the Max for the illegal possession of fentanyl. Currently, the TriMet system is relying on passengers to carry Narcan and save lives. This burden should not be on children. “The number of unintentional overdose deaths related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl nearly quadrupled between 2020 and 2022, increasing from 223 to 843 overdose fatalities.” (Data source: CDC SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Drug Overdose Data).  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: • More than 645,000 people in the United States have died from overdoses involving opioids since the epidemic began; • The number of annual opioid overdose deaths remains more than six times higher than it was in 1999; • There were approximately 81,806 opioid overdose deaths in 2022 Years and 90% involved synthetic opioids other than methadone • There were nearly 290,000 hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to opioid poisoning in 2016 In 2024, a bartender named Tanaz Polson was forced to use her Narcan (that she started to carry with her after observing several previous overdoses on Public Transportation) on a man who overdosed on her Max. After giving several doses, the man ultimately passed away.  The driver had originally urged the woman to wait for Emergency Services to arrive, but the brave women defied this and made an effort to save his life. Later, she described this ordeal as “traumatizing.” She believes that “If we treated addiction like we treated any other disease, cancer, diabetes- everybody would carry Narcan. The fact that drivers don’t carry it, security guards don’t carry it, is huge. Had that security guard done something, had they alerted somebody, had they administered themselves, maybe we wouldn’t be talking about a guy that died.” Narcan would save lives.

1. Stolen Land = Stolen Legacy This property personally belonged to a Black church founder who served his community since 1944. Its wrongful sale is part of a broader pattern of Black land loss that must be stopped and reversed. 2. Fraud Should Never Be Rewarded The sale was approved using the wrong deed, the Charities Bureau involvement, without surrogates court supervision, and without the rightful heirs’ involvement. Fraudulent actions should not be allowed to stand. 3. Accountability Matters The Attorney General’s Office is supposed to protect the public and charitable assets—not allow them to be quietly sold for private gain. Holding them accountable is how we protect all communities. 4. Churches and Families Deserve Legal Protection If one family’s land can be taken without proper oversight, it can happen to others too. Signing this petition helps defend not just one family’s rights, but the rights of countless others. 5. Reclaiming Our Community A 44-unit luxury apartment was built on this land—but the people and mission it once served were erased. Signing helps fight gentrification and displacement. 6. Demand Justice Through CPLR 5015 New York law allows courts to vacate orders obtained by fraud. This petition asks the AG’s Office to enforce the law and fix what they approved in error. 7. This Is About More Than One Address It’s about exposing a systemic failure, confronting  injustice in property law, and restoring what was wrongfully taken. 8. Make Your Voice Count Every signature helps show the Attorney General this issue won’t be ignored. You can be part of history by demanding justice.

Trump has ratcheted up his fight with the judiciary when his FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge. And then, Trump’s press secretary wouldn’t rule out arresting Supreme Court justices. The Trump admin is accusing the judge of obstructing immigration officials — following through on Trump's threat against all local, state, and federal officials who try to stop his vile mass deportation plans. All while his administration defies federal court orders. This public show of force against the checks on Trump’s power is the latest move to take down our democracy and the rule of law. Republicans in the Senate are also pushing the No Rogue Rulings Act, a bill already passed in the House to take power away from federal judges and hand it to Trump. Our leaders must stand against this extreme power grab. The arrest of the county judge in Wisconsin, celebrated by FBI Director Kash Patel, is an extreme act meant to strike fear into any judge or other government official who goes against Trump’s agenda. And the No Rogue Rulings Act is an extreme right-wing reaction to federal judges placing injunctions on Trump’s policies. Trump’s showdown with the judiciary is a constitutional crisis. Republicans in Congress are trying to tilt the scales for Trump and hand him absolute power with their No Rogue Rulings legislation. Sign the petition: The rule of law and our democracy are on the line. Stop Trump’s power grab — oppose the No Rogue Rulings Act! Sources: - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/26/judge-dugan-arrest-trump-battle-courts/ - https://newrepublic.com/post/194481/karoline-leavitt-arrest-supreme-court-judges

Justice cannot be served behind closed doors, nor can it be trusted when bias is left unchecked. Please sign and share this petition to hold our judiciary accountable and ensure the Karen Read case is tried fairly — as our Constitution demands.

A Decision to File a Potentially Costly Lawsuit On Your Behalf Was Made Behind Closed Doors. Taxpayer Dollars at Risk. Your elected officials have filed a lawsuit against neighboring towns and the Six Senses project — without informing Rhinebeck residents and without your input. These lawsuits serve the goals of a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills. ❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark. ⚠️ Rhinebeck Town Officials made no effort to communicate with defendants about their concerns before taking legal action on your dime. ⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to publicly disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits. 💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate prior to the filing. We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand: 🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent. 🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS. New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions: Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that NO ACTION BY FORMAL VOTE SHALL BE TAKEN TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS. ✍️ Sign the Petition. Make Your Voice Heard.

After Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents abducted Kilmar Abrego Garcia, he was illegally deported to an infamous mega-prison in El Salvador — the same country he fled as a teenager because of gang violence. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court order that Abrego Garcia be returned, the Trump administration has refused to act. Instead, they’re stonewalling and causing more harm: His wife and three kids have been forced into a safe house after U.S. officials posted their home address on social media. Experiences like this are becoming horrifyingly commonplace, but cracks in a horrible deportation machine are showing. Trump's immigration approval rating sank 10 points in April. ICE buses filled with people to be deported have turned around. Senator Chris Van Hollen went to El Salvador himself to push for Abrego Garcia’s safe return. After being denied access at CECOT, the notorious mega-prison, he was able to speak with him and confirm that he is still alive. Over the past few weeks, more members of Congress have met with detainees and political prisoners to amplify their stories and fight for everyone’s rights. It’s critically needed leadership, but it wouldn’t have happened without activists like you pushing for it, so let’s keep going. Gratitude can make a HUGE difference in moments like this. A thank you signals you’re doing the right thing. It builds encouragement to do it again. It’s also a uniquely hot commodity — like all humans, when one lawmaker sees another get praise, they want in. If we want to see more actions like Sen. Van Hollen’s, he and other members taking brave action need to hear from you today.

What is happening to Rümeysa Öztürk is terrifying.  Abruptly stripped of her visa. Restrained and arrested. Smuggled out of Massachusetts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in plainclothes. Hidden from her family, community, and lawyers in a private, for-profit detention facility in Louisiana. All because she wrote an op-ed in the Tufts school newspaper calling for the university to abide by undergraduate student senate resolutions meant to hold Israel accountable for international law violations. Rümeysa's harsh and unlawful detainment is an assault on our fundamental First Amendment rights and civil liberties—and we should all be concerned. Donald Trump is abusing his position of power to intimidate everyday people, silence dissenters, and roll back our fundamental rights. He doesn’t care about safety or ensuring our schools are welcoming spaces. In fact, his administration has been doing the opposite, bullying universities to control curriculum, gutting public programs, and pitting our communities against each other.  Show the Trump administration that we are united and we will continue to mobilize to protect Rümeysa and others from his illegal power grabs.  Sign the petition to urge Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan to launch an immediate and thorough criminal investigation into Rümeysa's kidnapping.

The Trump Administration has arrested a sitting judge – Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan.  These are the actions of a dictator. This isn’t just an arrest, it’s a blatant attack on judicial independence meant to send a chilling warning to every judge in the country. Here’s what’s happening: federal agents wanted to arrest someone at a hearing before Judge Dugan. Judge Dugan said no, protecting the integrity of her courtroom and refusing to turn it into an ambush zone. And in response, the FBI opened an investigation into her, and now has arrested her on charges that could send her to prison for years. But here’s what’s crystal clear – even under the Trump regime, standing up for due process and our Constitutional rights should be celebrated, not punished. It’s on all of us to speak out for what’s right. Add your name to tell the Trump Administration to STOP this authoritarian power grab.

President Trump – who has sworn an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend” our Constitution – is illegally trying to shred one of its most important guarantees of equal rights: the 14th Amendment. His executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship would endanger millions of people born in this country and permanently reshape what it means to be an American. Common Cause is evaluating our legal options to respond – because we simply can’t let this stand. The good news is no president, including Trump, can override an official, ratified part of the U.S. Constitution. But the bad news is this fact won’t stop them from trying, and in doing so, striking fear for millions of our neighbors that they’ll be condemned to permanent second-class status.   Combined with his plan to deport thousands of families and community members in the first week of his administration, Trump’s already made clear that he’s beginning his presidency by forcing American immigrants into hiding and denying us all the multi-racial democracy and safe neighborhoods we deserve. The 14th Amendment is clear – and legal experts say Trump would likely need to pass a constitutional amendment to overrule it. But Trump and his cronies in Congress know they can’t do that, so they’re desperately searching for any way around our checks and balances. If you agree we can’t let that happen, join us in urging Congress to protect birthright citizenship – and REJECT this blatant attempt to divide our communities and attack our constitutional rights.