The entire live event industry has been shut down plunging everyone working in it into unemployment with no end in sight. People like me who have invested 38 years of my life to be at the top of my game working on Broadway. The extra $2400 monthly has allowed me to have a grain of hope that I can hold on long enough living in one of the most expensive areas in the country. If I lose it, I will need to sell my place and move away from NYC. Hundreds of thousands more are in the same position all over the country. We are ready to work but work is not ready for us.

This resolution would have Hamilton County to formally recognize racism as a public health crisis. Historically the health outcomes of minority populations, especially black people in the U.S. and locally in Hamilton County have been statistically lower than those of the white population. Black people die prematurely and are more susceptible to critical health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. These numbers are currently being increasingly exposed through data that is showing that black Americans are dying at disproportionately higher rates from the coronavirus than all other races. In addition to a lower life expectancy black Ohioans face higher rates of infant mortality where racism is a key driver in these cases. In Hamilton County the number of black babies who die before their first birthday is double compared to white babies. Furthermore, factors such as access to care, education level, income, race, and ethnicity, hinder black Ohioans from receiving the health care that they need, especially oral and dental health care. Other social determinants such as socioeconomic status, access to food, physical environment, education, and access to health care can further hinder positive health comes for black and minority populations in Hamilton County. This resolution would address these issues to ensure that the health of all residents is prioritized no matter their race. Here are a few ways racism in Hamilton County will be addressed through this resolution and improve the health outcomes for all people: ● The Hamilton County BOCC will support and collaborate with organizations that focus on black communities, in effort to eliminate health disparities. ● The Hamilton County Child Fatality Review and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Processes will investigate child and infant deaths that were affected by racism. ● The Hamilton County Oral Health Coalition will advocate the oral health needs of all citizens of Hamilton County. ● Hamilton County BOCC will prioritize health for all races, issuing Health and Equity in All policies approach to decision making. ● The Office of the Hamilton County Sheriff will dedicate Active Bystander training for its officers in order to prevent wrong doings on the job. ● The Hamilton County BOCC will collaborate with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to provide a curriculum for private, public and nonprofit entities to teach about the effect racism has on African-Americans and people of color. ● The Hamilton County BOCC encourages all community leaders and stakeholders to acknowledge racism as a public health crisis. To take action to advance equity in the community of Hamilton County. You can view the resolution at: https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3788196/File/Government/Board%20Of%20County%20Commissioners/Public%20Hearings/2020/BOCC.2020%20DECLARATION6.29PREFINAL%20(2).pdf

During President Trump's visit to India in February 2020, mobs attacked minority neighborhoods leading to 46 deaths and displacing thousands. This tragedy along with discriminatory national legislation (including a religion-based system to grant citizenship) demonstrate that India's values of democracy, secularism, and human rights are under serious threat. **If your organization wants to be listed as a signatory, please email: [email protected]**

There is no way to keep students, teachers, staff, bus drivers and cafeteria workers safe if they report to school buildings. Until there is 100% assurance that children will not bring COVID-19 home from school, no school buildings should reopen in Florida. Remote instruction is feasible, and in cases where parents cannot handle instruction a tutoring program should be established to ensure that kids can keep learning. This can be accomplished state-wide or district by district. If families do not have computers or internet access, these resources should be provided by the Florida Department of Education, by federal funding, or by community foundations. Reevaluate this position in January 2021 and/or after an effective COVID-19 vaccine has been developed and tested and is widely available.

Maria Pereira “Still” Must Go was created by the people of Bridgeport Connecticut along with the support of Bridgeport Public Schools, parents, and community leaders because of Maria Pereira’s continuously belligerent behavior directed towards colleagues, parents, BOE members and anyone not in agreement with her bullying tactics. She is in violation of the Robert's Rules of Law in her disruptive behaviors that consist of shouting, name-calling, intimidation, and unprofessional language. Her history of violence, her criminal record, and threats of lawsuits towards the mayor and anyone who doesn't agree with her has the 21,000 children of Bridgeport held hostage. Her lack of integrity and character are poor examples in which anyone in her seat should be held to a higher standard. Her history of voting to endanger the welfare of Bridgeport students and community makes her unfit to be a councilwoman any longer. Her inability to work civilly with the current community has caused boycotting. Furthermore, her insensitive comments have caused racial tensions in our city to flare at an alarming rate. Her moral turpitude insinuating that people of color holding political offices cannot bring in good financial standing to our city is outright egregious and will not be tolerated. Maria Pereira must go; this is not a request but rather a demand! We the community, parents, and children of Bridgeport Public Schools want her resignation!

All black lives matter. No person shall be discriminated against based upon the color of their gender, sexual orientation, skin tone, economic status, social status, religious beliefs, or location. Everyone deserves adequate resources in order to live and thrive. Speaking out and standing against injustice is an essential human duty. There is a mutual duty to serve and protect between the community and its members. Acknowledge, respect, accept, and celebrate differences as well as commonalities. Believe in the power of words and their impact.

As of 2016, Norfolk police have killed twice as many people as any other agency in Virginia since 2010, according to a Virginian Pilot investigation. According to The Guardian newspaper, out of the 19 people shot and killed by police in the state of Virginia in 2016, seven of those were killed in the Hampton Roads area, with 5 of those deaths being in Norfolk alone. These issues are not "another place's problem." Members of Norfolk City Council have the ability to make concrete change and address the systematic abuse Black and Brown people experience everyday here in Norfolk.

If we want reform we need to have police that are joining for the right reasons. A chief who’s not only a black woman herself but mother to a black son and grandchildren who’s spent most of her life in Richmond in the community making a difference is the leadership we need, not just in Richmond but in every goddamn community. Can you imagine what a police force full of Carols would be like? I can. George Floyd would be alive. Tamir Rice would be 18 right now. The chief of police should be a mother who’s children have grown up in a system that is racist and cruel. Someone who wants, “police need to change their mindset from warrior to guardian; it’s not us (police) Verses them (the people), we as police are part of the community, we are one. “ Richmond, tell Mayor Stoney we don’t need another macho man. We need a WOMAN who truly cares about the community as she’s part of it. We need a chief with a career like Carols. If we can’t truly abolish police then let’s change what sort of people become police. There should be no greater honor then serving your community, we’ve had enough of police ENFORCING their power, we need to flip that to truly serving and working for the people. We need kindness. We need selflessness. We need love. Tell Stoney Richmond should have a say in who is in charge of the folks who SERVE the community. And in my opinion it’s time for a woman to do the job men can’t.

Unemployment levels for young Americans and minority workers are at levels unseen since the Great Depression. Furthermore, the economy is not rebounding fast enough to put millions of formerly-employed workers back to work before federal unemployment benefits end on July 31. Nevertheless, a necessary relief bill will not be enacted in Washington by July or even August. California already has the largest number of homeless workers in the U.S. Failure to provide economic relief will balloon this human disaster into a catastrophe.

Bringing the Pioneer Amtrak route back, making stops in towns like Portland OR, Ontario OR, Boise ID, Twin Falls ID, Salt Lake City UT, and Denver Co would be a major uplifting to potentially 10's of thousands of people who would travel it frequently. Especially during poor weather, and other major events. Bringing the Pioneer back would be a monumental improvement to this region, but would also show that it is needed, by the demand it would have. It would likely be used more in the winter, as the area can see brutal storms. I know many families that would travel it to see other distant family members. Of course you will have a good amount of business people riding, but the real benefits will go to people who may not have the ability to drive. Seniors who don't like driving long distances, big families with small cars, and many more are possible with this line, and this route. And remember, travelling by train is environmentally friendly. Let's bring back the Pioneer!

We are scared, we are angry, we are humbled. We want to contribute, we cannot contribute. We want to have jobs soon, we will not have jobs soon. We didn't ask for this crisis, we didn't know this could happen, we weren't in a position to prepare. We need our system to help at this time where we need help more than ever. We cannot take care of our own? We are your Parents, your Grandparents, your Children, your Grandchildren, your Aunts, your Uncles and your Cousins. We need your help. With COVID infection rates increasing across much of the country and the high potential for at least a future second wave prior to the onset of mass vaccinations, July 31st will not mark a magical date where job availability will all of a sudden rocket upwards. Demand across numerous industries that employ large numbers of workers remains near or at their bottoms and people are still scared to go back to work, facing an internal crisis of consciousness between the need to provide for their families and the need to not put themselves or their families in harm’s way.

Last year’s $746 billion Pentagon budget was the largest on record — and came at the expense of critical public health, education, and infrastructure spending. And while Congress still can’t agree on extending emergency assistance for families in the face of COVID-19, they’re gearing up to greenlight even more — three quarters of a TRILLION dollars — for the Pentagon this year. Money isn’t everything, but budgets are moral documents that reflect our priorities. And Congress’s priority appears to be funding redundant nuclear weapons, multi-billion dollar off-books spending accounts, and endless wars in the Middle East. No more. Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced bold new legislation calling for a $350 BILLION dollar cut to the Pentagon budget. It’s up to us to follow her lead and get Congress on board to shift astronomical funds away from the Pentagon and build true safety and security. Add your name to urge them to pass H. Res. 1003 NOW!