The purpose of my story is to show why society must rethink how it reacts to teenage crime, especially when the first response is driven by fear rather than belief in growth. My experience shows a difficult truth: a child who commits a terrible act is not permanently broken. The human spirit can learn, change, and rise from its lowest point. Rehabilitation is not theory—it is lived reality, and my life proves redemption is possible even when a person’s greatest mistake feels unforgivable. People should join me in the campaign for reform because this is not only my story. Every person has needed a second chance and a path back into community. When we deny that possibility to children, we deny something essential about humanity. With community support, change becomes possible and humanity is restored. My name is James D. Williams, one of many juvenile lifers in Wisconsin’s adult prison system. In 1997, two months after turning 17, I committed a terrible crime and took a life. I do not offer excuses. My actions came from a misguided code of loyalty, false ideas of strength, and fear. Growing up on Milwaukee’s North side, I was taught that keeping my word meant everything—that loyalty meant pushing feelings aside and never showing weakness. In the moment that changed my life forever, fear and confusion were stronger than reason. I believed I had no other choice. After my arrest, the full weight of my actions crushed me. I hid in my cell, overcome with shame and depression. No one cared about my apologies, not the State, not my victim’s family, and even my own family was shocked. I believed honesty and accountability might bring some relief, but nothing changed. So I buried my emotions and pretended to be strong. At sentencing, I begged the judge to see me as more than the crime—to see a young person capable of change. Instead, I was labeled a “monster” without hope for redemption. At 17, I was sentenced to life with a parole date 101 years away. The judge said my life was over, and I would never be anything more than my worst act. Entering prison, I was legally an adult but emotionally a child. I was isolated, terrified, and overwhelmed by guilt. Panic attacks, depression, and conflict became part of my daily existence. Yet in the middle of all that, I managed to earn my HSED and a vocational certificate. One night, I asked myself what I needed to survive a life in prison, and the answer became psychology. I read books on persuasion and self-help, not to heal, but to control my surroundings. I distanced myself from reality for years, convinced I was unlovable and deserved only pain. My turning point came when I finally entered a true rehabilitation program in my 30s. A program called Challenges and Possibilities introduced me to restorative justice. I learned about the ripple effects of crime—how one violent act spreads pain into families and communities. That understanding forced me to confront the full impact of my actions. I apologized to my family and listened to their pain, facing the truth rather than hiding from it. Even then, shame controlled me. I tried to be the person I believed I should be, and others looked to me for guidance. Helping gave me purpose, but I was still drowning in guilt, believing that endless punishment would somehow create peace. Nothing worked until a short stay in segregation forced me to face myself honestly. There, I read House of Healing, and for the first time, I understood that seeking forgiveness included forgiving myself. It did not erase my crime, but it opened the door to real healing. From that point on, I worked to become the person I wished I had been. I continued my education, reached out to my victim’s family through the Office of Victim Services, and prepared for a future I never expected to have. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles could not be given life without parole, hope returned, even though I feared release because prison was the only world I knew. I filed motions, pursued vocational training, and earned degrees. The legal system offered moments of hope, then disappointment. Reform movements rose and faded. Bills stalled. Promises from officials collapsed. Each time, I had to face the possibility that I might die behind these walls, even after decades of growth. But I never stopped learning, mentoring, and preparing to contribute to society. Programs like the RYTE Program showed me the value of my experience. Speaking to youth about choices and consequences gave meaning to my life. I earned degrees, including a bachelor’s degree with honors, and continued building skills while embracing accountability and service. My story isn’t finished. I continue to study, mentor, create, and work to improve myself. I don’t know how it will end, but I know why it matters: a 17-year-old can commit a terrible act without fully understanding the scale of what he is doing. A child’s brain and worldview are incomplete. Fear, loyalty, and identity overpower consequence and clarity. But that child does not stay frozen in time. He grows. He learns. He matures into someone capable of empathy, purpose, and contribution. Rehabilitation is not about perfection—it is about persistence. It proves that even after the worst mistake, a person can build a meaningful life. My sentencing judge could not see that possibility. But decades later, I stand as proof he was wrong. This campaign is bigger than me. It is about the belief that no young person should be defined forever by their darkest moment. It is about restoring the possibility of redemption. Children deserve a real chance to become the adults they are capable of being. And when we offer that chance, we do more than help individuals—we preserve the values we claim to hold as a society. My story continues, and the work of change continues with it.

1. Protecting Veterans and Staff: The Phoenix VA Police Department is responsible for security at a facility serving veterans. When the internal environment is toxic, discriminatory, and focused on retaliation, the officers' ability to perform their duty—protecting veterans, staff, and the facility—is severely compromised. 2. Upholding Federal Law: The petition directly addresses the finding that PVAPD created a racially hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a mandatory legal and ethical obligation to ensure its workplaces comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. 3. Exposing a Cover-Up: The most critical element is the allegation of Leadership Deception and Denial. When leadership actively denies substantiated federal findings, it represents a profound failure of accountability, suggesting that the misconduct is being enabled and protected from the top down. This destroys internal morale and external trust. 4. Stopping Retaliation: The document highlights the tactic of labeling truth-tellers as "disgruntled employees." If employees are punished for reporting illegal activity, misconduct becomes normalized, and the systems meant to ensure fairness (like EEO) become useless. 5. Demanding Systemic Change: The petition is not asking for a small fix; it demands Federal Intervention, an Independent Investigation, and External Oversight. This signifies that the problem is systemic and requires intervention from the highest levels of the VA and federal government to be resolved.

This petition is important in order to get the school to start taking action by   1.  Hosting assemblies or informational sessions to educate students and families on their rights and what to do in case of an emergency. 2.  Creating safe spaces on campus for students who feel anxious, unsafe, or need support. 3.  Providing online learning options (Zoom or Google Meet) for students whose families are afraid to send them to school. 4.  Issuing a public statement of solidarity affirming that Reavis is a safe and welcoming place for all students and families, regardless of immigration status.

South Fulton’s seniors and residents of all abilities deserve a voice in how our City plans for the future. Too often, decisions are made without considering the daily challenges of aging like safe transportation, affordable housing, access to healthcare, and digital inclusion. By joining this Initiative, you are helping create the Senior Aging & Inclusion Commission, a group that will soley advise City leaders on these issues, publish an annual Senior & Inclusion Well-Being Index for transparency, and push for safer, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods. When you sign, you are standing up for your family, your neighbors, and the future of South Fulton showing City Hall that our community is united in supporting seniors and residents of all abilities. City leaders can only make the best decisions when they hear directly from the people those decisions affect. Seniors and residents of all abilities know firsthand the daily challenges of transportation, housing, healthcare, and staying connected. When these voices are organized and lifted through the Senior Aging & Inclusion Commission, it not only guides local policies but also strengthens our partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies.  At a time when federal resources are limited and requirements are constantly shifting, it is more important than ever that South Fulton hears directly from its community so we can advocate effectively, align our policies, and secure the right resources for our residents.

Hundreds of thousands of people WILL be impacted if these programs do not receive funding, leaving clients and students with less ability to pursue education and program staff without jobs!  I used Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) when I left the service to go back to school. Without the resources and guidance of Education Specialists with VUB, my transition would have been unimaginably difficult and I may not be where I'm at today, about to graduate and applying for my Master's degree. There are countless stories like mine, and many more who have faced even greater obstacles to try to create a better life for themselves and their families. As Upward Bound programs, including Veterans Upward Bound, near the FY deadline for the programs to continue, advocacy is needed to disburse funds to the programs. Upward Bound programs provide needed support to people from first-generation and low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education. Specific programs are tailored for high school students, veterans, and other adult learners who would other lack the opportunity to start or complete their education. The Grant Award Notices (GANs) have allocated the funding for the new fiscal year, but the funds still have not been released. If the funding is not released by September 30th, Upward Bound programs will not be able to continue providing services and the programs will end. The populations served by these programs often lack realistic opportunities to pursue or complete higher education. Having worked directly with these people, your friends, family, and coworkers, I can attest to their work ethic and passion. And that carries beyond the classroom. That same work ethic and passion will feed back into their careers and communities, making them better and stronger!

Why Springfield Needs to Act Now Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are under attack. Recent events show why sanctuary cities are more crucial than ever: • Supreme Court threats: The Supreme Court is being asked to overturn marriage equality in a case they'll consider this fall. SCOTUS has also upheld Tennessee's ban on youth gender-affirming care and Trump’s trans military ban  • Right next door: New Hampshire just became the ONLY state in New England to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, making Massachusetts a critical refuge for families across our border • Nationwide bathroom restrictions: 19 states now restrict where transgender people can use public restrooms - increasingly people get harassed to prove their gender • 988 LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Faces Funding Cut: HHS proposes ending government funding putting thousands of young lives at risk • Local hate crimes: Even in progressive Northampton, Pride flags were stolen and burned in the streets Springfield can be a beacon of safety and inclusion! Sign this petition to show Springfield City Council that our community demands action.   Sign if you are: ·       A Springfield, MA resident who supports LGBTQ+ rights (your signature carries the most weight with City Council) ·       A Western Massachusetts resident who cares about regional LGBTQ+ safety ·       Anyone who believes all people deserve safety and dignity ·       Ready to make Springfield a sanctuary for our most vulnerable neighbors   Springfield resident signatures will be highlighted when delivered to City Council, with broader regional support noted separately to show the widespread concern for LGBTQ+ rights in our area.   Every signature matters - sign now and share with your friends, family, and neighbors across Western Mass!   Important Note: This is a community advocacy petition to demonstrate public support for LGBTQ+ sanctuary status in Springfield. This is not an official ballot initiative or legally binding referendum. The petition will be delivered to Springfield City Council to show community demand for action on this issue. Organized by Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible (RUWMI)   #SpringfieldSanctuary #LGBTQRights #MassachusettsValues

The United States has a long and distressing past of mass incarceration. It is widely acknowledged in sociological and political studies that mass incarceration disproportionately affects black people. According to the Sentencing Project, there is an average of 6.7 black individuals to one white individual currently incarcerated in Michigan. Black people make up 13% of the entire US population, yet are the highest incarcerated demographic in the US at 32%.  Mass incarceration creates a cycle of disadvantage that affects individuals, families, and even entire neighborhoods. Family members are removed from their homes, directly impacting family relationships and childhoods. Social networks are broken, and community members experience a disruption in collective action. This evokes financial strain and further emotional stress in communities that are intentionally left without resources to support themselves.   James Jones is a black man born and raised in the city of Detroit who has endured a wrongful conviction and was initially targeted by the Detroit Police Department.  With the current state of this country, we need to change these trends of devastation in the black community and fight back through awareness and direct action!! Help communities such as James' experience the return of a beloved son, father, and scholar. Repair these social networks and restore black communities!! Sources: • https://www.americanprogress.org/article/mass-incarceration-stress-black-infant-mortality/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/research/us-criminal-justice-data/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/mass-incarceration-trends/

Overturning gay marriage on a federal level creates issues where couples will cross state lines and their marriage will no longer be recognized. If you go to the hospital in a state where they don’t recognize your marriage, then your partner cannot legally see you or have anything to do with you. Gay parents can’t adopt. Insurance will be in upheaval. This is another way for the GOP to distract and to weaken their opponents.

Why this is important: Every second counts in an overdose crisis. People using test strips are often in high-stress, low-light, or chaotic environments — shelters, bathrooms, street corners, or nightclubs. A split-second misread can mean the difference between life and death. We are losing tens of thousands of lives every year to fentanyl — not because tests don’t work, but because results aren’t clear. This isn’t a chemistry problem. It’s a communication problem — and one we can solve today. A simple shift in visual logic can save lives immediately — without costly materials, or new manufacturing

Arizona was already facing a hunger crisis before the passage of the Big, Ugly Bill. Food banks across the state serve nearly 1 million residents—including children and seniors—who rely on SNAP to put meals on the table. Now, this bill will take away food assistance from hundreds of thousands of people and will cut Medicaid and health care coverage for more than 300,000 Arizonans—especially in rural areas, where hospitals may close and care disappear. Arizona deserves better, and we will not let you get away with taking away our essential programs. AZ says fight for our families! 

Why should others join us in this call for change? Because we all deserve to be heard. We are concerned citizens of Missouri’s 8th District—workers, parents, students, veterans, farmers, and neighbors—who are tired of being ignored by the very people elected to represent us. Congressman Jason Smith has a duty to be accessible and transparent, but he continues to avoid open public town halls. This isn’t about party politics—it’s about accountability. When elected officials refuse to face their constituents, democracy breaks down. We’re standing up together to demand better. To demand answers. To demand a government that listens and responds. And we know that the more of us who speak out, the harder we are to ignore. Join us. Raise your voice. Because real change only happens when we stand together.

The proposed Land Use Framework would allow for more affordable housing, more transit-oriented development, and more ecologically sustainable development along the Broadway corridor from Devon to Montrose.