We, the people, invite you to meet with your constituents at a public Town Hall meeting: on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 6 PM at Krutch Park, 504 Market St., Knoxville, TN, to discuss the concerns outlined above.

A vast collection of peer-reviewed science shows that if the proposed Twin Metals mine was built along the rivers and streams flowing into the Wilderness, pollution and environmental degradation would be certain. It would also harm the economy: A peer-reviewed independent study from Harvard University shows that protecting the Boundary Waters from proposed sulfide-ore mining would result in dramatically more jobs and more income over a 20-year period. Polls show very strong support for permanent protection for this priceless Wilderness area. Unfortunately and alarmingly, the Trump administration has promised to undo existing Boundary Waters protections and has already issued far-reaching Executive Orders that endanger public lands across the country, including the Boundary Waters. Also, U.S. Representative Pete Stauber’s pending legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives would rescind the mining ban, reinstate canceled mineral leases, bar judicial review, and require rapid approval of a flawed mine plan.    Now, more than ever, it is time for all of us to fight for the places we love. We are grateful for Senator Smith’s leadership, now we all must work alongside her and ensure that the Boundary Waters is protected for generations to come. Find more information at www.SavetheBoundaryWaters.org

Why This Matters: • This initiative will protect vulnerable tenants from exploitation and unsafe living conditions. • It will deter landlords from neglecting their responsibilities and ensure they prioritize tenant safety. • It will improve the overall quality of housing in New Jersey. • It will reduce homelessness and illegal evictions. • It will promote fairness and accountability within the housing market. We, the undersigned, urge our elected officials to prioritize the safety and well-being of New Jersey residents by implementing these crucial measures. We demand immediate action to hold negligent landlords accountable and ensure safe and equitable housing for all. Sign this petition to demand change!

Reneging on that promise puts our military in danger of never getting help in the future.  It is a moral failure for our country.  Experience has proved that Afghan refugees resettled in the US quickly become financially independent and pay taxes and there are many experienced, local volunteer resettlement groups throughout the country willing and able to provide support. Lift the ban now and GET THEM OUT!

Not only is this depriving the community of acknowledging and learning about worthy individuals; this is also a direct violation to the state policy approved in 2010 by UNANIMOUS consent of the state House (112-0) and State Senate (37-0).  We unequivocally believe that the Civil Rights Hall of Fame MUST be Re-Activated!! To join in this push, please sign the petition as a show of support and affirmation!

Over 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid. Cutting funding would strip away mental health support, emergency services, maternal care, and more — services that keep our neighborhoods safe and healthy. These cuts would leave millions without the care they depend on to survive. We ask you — as our voice in Washington — to take a stand. Protect Medicaid. Protect people.

The majority of people of Greenland—a population of just 57,000—have been working for years to move towards full independence from Denmark. The island is considered an “autonomous territory”—it has its own parliament, but Denmark controls its foreign affairs, defense, and part of its budgets. The Trump administration’s power grab has put unnecessary pressure on a people already struggling to secure the freedom and independence they deserve.  Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made it clear: “We don't belong to anyone else. We decide our own future. We must not act out of fear. We must respond with peace, dignity and unity.” Escalating Trump’s threats, Vice President JD Vance, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz (who is currently under fire for sharing sensitive national security information over Signal chat) recently visited a U.S. military base in Greenland.  They didn’t meet with Greenland’s prime minister.  They didn’t meet with government officials from Greenland.  And they didn’t have public meetings with Greenland residents. Instead, Vance went to a U.S. Army base, criticized Denmark, and made veiled threats. MSNBC Columnist Michael Cohen called it "the most…inappropriate diplomatic foray ever conducted by an American official." The people of Greenland deserve better. Add your name to show your solidarity and make it clear that everyday Americans denounce this egregious and outlandish threat. 

Drug and alcohol addictions kills thousands of people every year.  

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to close a critical gap in our justice system: the failure to include protection order violations in standard criminal background checks. This oversight allows individuals with a history of violating protective orders to secure jobs, housing, and even custody or visitation rights without accountability, putting survivors and their children at risk. Protection orders exist to shield survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and harassment from further harm. However, because these violations are typically classified as civil matters rather than criminal convictions, they often do not appear in background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and family courts. This omission not only endangers survivors but also allows repeat offenders to continue their abusive behavior without consequence. The Urgent Need to Protect Children Children are among the most vulnerable when protection order violations go unreported or unrecognized. Parents who have repeatedly violated protective orders can still gain custody or unsupervised visitation, placing children in harm’s way. Without these violations being made visible in legal and background checks, courts may unknowingly grant access to individuals who pose a threat to their child’s safety and well-being. By implementing these changes, we can provide greater protection for survivors and children, increase public safety, and hold repeat offenders accountable. I urge you to introduce and support legislation that ensures these violations are visible, enforceable, and taken seriously in legal and protective proceedings. Please let me know your stance on this issue and what steps you will take to address it. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further. Thank you for your time and commitment to public safety.

Senator Cory Booker was not doing a filibuster—a tactic generally used to block the passage of a bill or vote. Instead, he was using the Senate rules that allow a senator who has been recognized by the presiding officer to speak for as long as they wish. All to draw attention to the Trump administration’s attacks on everyday people. He was not allowed to sit down, and he had to speak continuously—breaking only when asked questions by fellow senators. He even had his chair removed to eliminate the temptation to sit.  Senator Booker kept the focus during his time on the disastrous Republican agenda, focusing on the tariffs, foreign policy, and the economy, as well as Trump’s attacks on Social Security, Medicaid, and education. And he included the voices of his own constituents and public comments from world leaders. "In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm after harm on Americans' safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy, and any sense of common decency. These are not normal times in our nation. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate." Senator Booker said he would go as long as he could. And he did. Let him know that the general public was watching, supporting, and cheering him on! 

The RMP combats food insecurity. Guam is not immune to the challenges of hunger. Implementing the RMP ensures equitable access to nutrition for individuals who may not have the means or facilities to cook their own meals. The RMP empowers local businesses. The program provides an economic boost to participating restaurants, creating new opportunities for growth and community engagement. The RMP supports vulnerable populations. The elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness often face unique challenges in accessing food. The RMP offers dignity and choice in meeting their nutritional needs. We believe that passing Bill No. 78-38 (COR) is not only a compassionate and inclusive decision but also a pragmatic step toward fostering a healthier and more equitable Guam. We urge I Liheslaturan Guåhan to take immediate action and make the Restaurant Meals Program a reality on our island.

This is not a drill. Trump is weaponizing ICE and Homeland Security to arrest and disappear people, including students, fathers, academics, among other everyday people, in yet another power grab demonstrating his complete disregard for our rights and freedoms. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was accidentally deported due to "administrative error,” remains stuck in legal limbo in an El Salvador prison, forcibly separated by thousands of miles from his wife and 5-year-old child, who is autistic and intellectually disabled. Marco Rubio’s State Department recently revoked the visa of Óscar Arias Sánchez, the former leader of Costa Rica and a Nobel laureate, for no reason other than being a vocal critic of Trump and his administration. Andry José Hernández Romero, a makeup artist from Venezuela, was deported to a prison in El Salvador after being accused of being a gang member because of his tattoos. He was deported before his lawyers could present evidence against the administration’s accusations. Student activists are also having their rights and legal protections being stripped. Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, and Momodou Taal are just some of the many students who have had their legal status ripped away for speaking out for Palestinian rights on campus.  These civil rights violations are a dangerous and slippery slope. It’s terrifying to think that everyday people could be seized without due process, disappeared by the Trump administration under the false guise of safety.  Trump’s revoking legal status, threatening deportation, and weaponizing federal agencies against protesters and those who disagree with him is a dictatorial move. This is a coordinated effort to intimidate, punish, and silence Trump’s critics. This won’t stop with immigrants, and this isn’t just about our right to dissent. This is about whether we allow one man to turn the power of government against the people it’s supposed to serve. Add your name now to protect our communities and our right to protest without persecution!  Photo source: USA Today