Though Japan regained its sovereignty in 1952, the U.S. military continued to occupy Okinawa for another twenty years. Okinawa is less than 1% of Japan’s total area, yet is occupied by three fourths of the U.S. military bases in the country. [1] The island is choked top to bottom with war machinery and troops — built on land seized from Okinawans — which have caused extreme noise pollution, deadly accidents, destruction of natural environments, and assaults against women by American soldiers. The construction of new helipads in Takae is only the most recent effort by the U.S. to project its military presence in the region over the voice of Okinawans. Residents who engaged in sit-ins and other peaceful protests at the construction site have been forcibly removed by violent riot police. [2] The central government of Japan, bending to the will of the U.S., has even filed a lawsuit against two residents called “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” or SLAPP. These retaliatory lawsuits are intended to silence, intimidate or punish people who have used public forums to speak, petition or otherwise move for government action on an issue, and have been made illegal in many jurisdictions around the world. [3] When national leaders refuse to budge from unjust policies, it’s at the local level that we can have the most impact. In September 2015, Berkeley passed a resolution on opposing the construction of a U.S military base in Henoko, Okinawa. [4] We are proud that it became the first such resolution passed by a city council in the United States, giving tremendous hope to people in Okinawa. It is time to continue our support of Okinawans in their ongoing fight against the devastation of their communities. Sources: 1. http://fpif.org/okinawa-small-island-trying-block-u-s-militarys-pivot-asia/ 2. http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160722/p2a/00m/0na/013000c 3. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/12/national/social-issues/film-depicts-okinawans-fight-against-ospreys/#.V_07tlUrKVM 4. http://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/export/16874673.pdf

I am starting this petition because although I have been an American citizen for more than 50 years, my refugee experience clearly recognizes the unmistakable signs and actions of an aspiring dictator. I also recognize the ambitious opportunists and deluded supporters who, like the ones in my country, ignored the warnings of those who had fled previous dictatorships. Trump's insults, lies, illegal activities, and criminal endeavors have gone too far with scant repercussions. He must be stopped.

This 42" pipeline,one of the largest ever, and its compressor stations will cut across woodlands, some of the richest farmlands in the world, and waterways. It will threaten schools and run close to an underground mine fire. Most of the gas produced will be sent abroad, yet, if approved by FERC, property can be taken by eminent domain

After more than four months of contract negotiations between UC-AFT Librarians and the University administration over the two open articles Salary, and Professional Activities and Development, the librarians are still waiting for a meaningful response to the union’s proposals. While UC Librarians make up to 27% LESS than their counterparts at CSU campuses, the UC offered a mere 1% salary increase. When UC librarians are increasingly being encouraged to demonstrate national prominence in their fields, the UC has offered no changes to Professional Development funding. UC-AFT’s core demands include: *Competitiveness: Librarians need salaries that are competitive with our colleagues in the California Community Colleges and California State University. *Consistency: A minimum level of professional development funding for all librarians across the UC system. *Compression: Librarian salary compression must be addressed by extending the scale. 21st century scholarship means students and faculty need more and better services from professional librarians, but librarians are being asked to do more and more for less and less. In order for the UC to recruit and retain professional librarians, the UC needs to provide competitive salaries and professional development funding. This is why we, the undersigned UCLA campus and community members, call on you to support UC-AFT librarians in achieving a fair contract!

After more than four months of contract negotiations between UC-AFT Librarians and the University administration over the two open articles Salary, and Professional Activities and Development, the librarians are still waiting for a meaningful response to the union’s proposals. While UC Librarians make up to 27% LESS than their counterparts at CSU campuses, the UC offered a mere 1% salary increase. When UC librarians are increasingly being encouraged to demonstrate national prominence in their fields, the UC has offered no changes to Professional Development funding. UC-AFT’s core demands include: *Competitiveness: Librarians need salaries that are competitive with our colleagues in the California Community Colleges and California State University. *Consistency: A minimum level of professional development funding for all librarians across the UC system. *Compression: Librarian salary compression must be addressed by extending the scale. 21st century scholarship means students and faculty need more and better services from professional librarians, but librarians are being asked to do more and more for less and less. In order for the UC to recruit and retain professional librarians, the UC needs to provide competitive salaries and professional development funding. This is why we, the undersigned UCR campus and community members, call on you to support UC-AFT librarians in achieving a fair contract!

After more than four months of contract negotiations between UC-AFT Librarians and the University administration over the two open articles Salary, and Professional Activities and Development, the librarians are still waiting for a meaningful response to the union’s proposals. While UC Librarians make up to 27% LESS than their counterparts at CSU campuses, the UC offered a mere 1% salary increase. When UC librarians are increasingly being encouraged to demonstrate national prominence in their fields, the UC has offered no changes to Professional Development funding. UC-AFT’s core demands include: *Competitiveness: Librarians need salaries that are competitive with our colleagues in the California Community Colleges and California State University. *Consistency: A minimum level of professional development funding for all librarians across the UC system. *Compression: Librarian salary compression must be addressed by extending the scale. 21st century scholarship means students and faculty need more and better services from professional librarians, but librarians are being asked to do more and more for less and less. In order for the UC to recruit and retain professional librarians, the UC needs to provide competitive salaries and professional development funding. This is why we, the undersigned UCSD campus and community members, call on you to support UC-AFT librarians in achieving a fair contract!

The citizens of The United States have an important decision to make, and should be afforded all of the information they can possibly have in order to make a truly informed choice. The only path to the future is an informed electorate.

I'm tired of the bloodshed in Aleppo, Syria. The Russians and Syrian government won't allow U.N. aid convoys into Aleppo. I want the U.S. Air force to start an airdrop of crucial supplies to the innocent civilians of Aleppo.

A chemical that causes cancer has been found in New Jersey water systems that serve 1.3 million people. Water experts want to significantly reduce this toxin, known as PFOA, in New Jersey by setting the strictest limits in the country. But it’s up to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make the final decision. The DEP has dragged its feet before on adopting tough limits on chemicals in the water supply because they think no one is paying attention. If we get loud enough, we can give water quality experts at the Drinking Water Quality Institute the support they need to force the DEP to act. Tell water quality experts you want to put the health of New Jersey families first and you support their tough limits on PFOAs in our water. Add your name now.

Our kids deserve a safe, toxin free school environment. Families of MPS students recently received a General Pesticide Use Notice informing of ongoing pesticide use at their children's schools. Join your neighbors by signing today! Show your support of Superintendent, Ed Graff and Environmental Health and Safety Manager, Lee Setter in adopting healthier policies and implementing safer practices, by replacing toxic pesticides with non-toxic and mechanical pest control methods.

Trying to live like a TRUE Christian, it only makes sense that I stand up for the TRUTH, the Holy Bible - the Word of the TRUE God (Jesus Christ). By the way, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. Having stated that, then the TRUE Americans have to approve of policies that are in agreement/harmony and/or not in objection to God's Word - always. I have been affected personally - and probably around the other 99% (economically speaking) of the hardworking, TRUE Americans - by the costs of so many things that CANNOT be nearly as costly as they presently are. Jesus Christ (God) was the TRUEST socialist that ever walked the face of the earth. If you profess to be a TRUE Christian or Jew, you CANNOT be in favor of being rich, for the vast majority of cases. Case in point: In relation to ONLY one specific verse (in my opinion) it is easier to win the POWERBALL Lotto than NOT going to hell if you die rich. Use your COMMON SENSE, will you! God bless all TRUE Christians and Jews!

If you thought the tape of Donald Trump bragging about sexual assault to NBC's Billy Bush was bad, buckle up. Multiple TV producers say there's worse footage, much worse, of Trump saying sexually predatory and extremely racist things. But NBC is refusing to release the footage. In fact for years now, the network has been protecting Trump. We can force the NBC and MGM, the studio that now owns the unaired footage from Trump's reality TV show, to stop protecting Trump and release the rest of the tapes.