In a move that will put almost anyone who comes into contact with many common foods at risk, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has refused to ban the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos. Based on many scientific studies, the EPA determined that even very low levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos—a pesticide used on staple foods like corn, wheat, apples and citrus—can cause irreparable harm and damage children’s developing brains. But Pruitt refuses to ban this dangerous chemical from our food, a decision that neglects the agency’s own science and puts millions at risk. Chlorpyrifos contaminates our food and water, and agricultural workers and families in rural communities are at the front lines of exposure to this neurotoxic chemical. Exposing children to chlorpyrifos results in reduced IQ, loss of working memory and attention deficit disorders. Workers poisoned by chlorpyrifos experience vomiting, muscle cramps and twitching, tremors and weakness. This neurotoxic pesticide was banned for residential use 17 years ago, so why would the EPA continue to allow it to be used on farms, where it can poison everything it touches? Earthjustice will hold the EPA accountable. We’re back in court asking for an order directing the EPA to put a full ban in place. Join us in urging the government to keep this toxic pesticide out of our food, our water, our schools and yards, and our bodies.

The children of the near south side community has one community center in the area operated by the City of St. Louis. This is a functioning community center that is surrounded by five apartment complexes that was regularly utilized by children and adults of this community. Without warning children have been turned away from the only community center that was opened to the public, allowing children a safe environment for learning & participating in recreational activities after school and in the summer.

Too many U.S. families simply cannot afford to take time to welcome a new child, support a chronically ill family member, or battle illnesses like cancer -- because if they take time, they lose their salaries. Support this petition to pass paid family leave so that families in the U.S. can access and afford this vital work-family policy.

Yesterday, United Airlines and Chicago aviation police officers forcibly removed a passenger from a flight that the airline overbooked—pulling him from his seat and dragging him through the aisles. Video captured by outraged passengers shows the man, with a bloody face, being dragged through the plane. United Airlines, which overbooked the flight, had chosen the man, it said, at random—and the man, who other passengers say is a doctor who needed to return home to see patients, refused to leave. This is the latest alarming incident involving passengers having their basic rights and freedoms infringed upon on a domestic flight. People of color also bear the brunt of deteriorating rights on domestic flights—that this passenger, who identifies as being Chinese, was treated this way follows the many instances of people of color being mistreated on domestic flights. The industry must be regulated to protect passengers. United Airlines issued a blanket apology to all of the passengers on the flight, and CEO Oscar Munoz released a statement saying they would call for a "detailed review" of the actions of their employees. But that is not enough. The United States Department of Transportation oversees the airline industry. It's time for the U.S. DOT to reign in the airline corporations and law enforcement officers who act outside of human decency. The U.S. DOT must sanction United Airlines and immediately adopt a passenger bill of rights that ensures all passengers can travel without fear of humiliation, harassment, or assault.

A paying United passenger was physically removed against his will and physically assaulted after having been selected at random to give up his seat for a United employee. This is a violation of his civil rights as well as an example of contemptible behavior toward a paying customer who had not caused a problem. The video can be seen here: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/10/523275494/passenger-forcibly-removed-from-united-flight-prompting-outcry?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170410

ACLU: The United States Constitution forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of religion. Trump's executive order is motivated by bias against Muslims, as confirmed by the President’s own public statements, as well as the absence of any rational justification for the categorical exclusion of individuals from the seven identified nations or the complete ban on refugees from around the world. The religious discrimination involved in the Executive Order is inconsistent with the bedrock Establishment Clause and equal protection principle that the government should never favor one religion over another. The order profoundly, directly and irreparably harms people throughout the United States, destabilizing the lives of thousands of individuals and their families – including those seeking to live, find refuge, visit, study or work in the State of Arizona. Under the Order, US citizens and legal permanent residents are unable to maintain their relationships with their families when their family members are denied entry at our borders. Those fleeing persecution cannot find a safe harbor here. And workers and students with valid visas will lose their right to live, work, and study here if they travel abroad.

The FAA has jurisdiction of the airspace over Sedona and surrounding wilderness and has issued an Advisory Circular (AC No: 91-36D) which recommends that aircraft flying in the Sedona area to fly not less than 2000 feet AGL (above ground level). Since this is only an advisory (recommended) and not enforceable, none of the helicopter tour companies abide by this recommendation. This results in low flying flights that are not only noisy and disruptive to homeowners, visitors, and hikers but poses a significant safety hazard to both the tourist occupants themselves and our citizens and their homes. We the undersigned seek to have the FAA turn this advisory (which is only a recommendation at this time) into an enforceable FAA regulation.

Because I find the Sunday night action calls invaluable and want to listen to them later online and MoveOn.org makes that MUCH harder than it needs to be! I am starting a petition because I can't find any other way to communicate with you.

My fifth grade teacher as well as science teachers in Yuma Arizona were pivotal in my choice to study science and ultimately become a career environmental scientist.

Our nation, our democracy is at stake under the heavy hand of the dictatorial regime that is in place now. We believe a full and impartial investigation is not only necessary but essential

We urge you to sign on to legislation to close the billionaire loophole and stop billionaires from paying less in taxes than school teachers and workers. Imagine a tax scam so outrageous that even Donald Trump admits it’s inexcusable. Hard to believe, I realize, but it’s all on tape right here. Wall Street money managers (like hedge fund managers) pay lower tax rates than many middle-income families, even while earning millions — or billions — of dollars per year. Closing the carried interest tax loophole would generate about 18 billion in revenue per year — enough to fund schools and infrastructure. The “carried interest loophole,” is an egregious symbol of how Wall Street billionaires have rigged the political system for their own benefit. Despite broad and bipartisan support, Trump and Republicans in Congress refuse to act and close the loophole for good. Meanwhile, legislators in eight states have already introduced legislation to close the loophole at the state level and use that money to invest in their citizens locally. With elections around the corner, now is the time to ask your members of Congress to stand with working families, not Wall Street. Sign the petition to tell your state legislators to support closing the loophole locally and you members of Congress to close the loophole at the federal level.

The American Psychological Association convened a task force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. The task force conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts and issued a report in 2009. The task force concluded that sexual orientation change efforts can pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, including confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, suicidality, substance abuse, stress, disappointment, self-blame, decreased self-esteem and authenticity to others, increased self-hatred, hostility and blame toward parents, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends and potential romantic partners, problems in sexual and emotional intimacy, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual behaviors, a feeling of being dehumanized and untrue to self, a loss of faith, and a sense of having wasted time and resources.