Brock Allen Turner, a Stanford University student, was convicted of raping an unconscious woman on the Stanford campus after two graduate students found him on top of the woman, behind a dumpster, outside of a fraternity party. But California Judge Aaron Persky sentenced Turner to just six months in a county jail. As a Stanford graduate, I am disgusted that this rape occurred, and I am outraged by Judge Persky's sentence. Instead of justice, Judge Persky handed convicted rapist Brock Allen Turner the lightest possible sentence for raping an unconscious woman, saying that prison would have “a severe impact on [Turner].” It's worth noting that Turner’s father had called on the judge to give him only probation, saying he had already “paid a steep price" for “20 minutes of action." This rape culture cannot continue. Rapists must be held accountable for their actions, and judges who refuse to do so must resign. There is precedent for calling for a judge's resignation: Back in 2013, when Judge G. Todd Baugh sentenced a former high school teacher to just 30 days in prison for repeatedly raping a 14-year-old student, MoveOn member Kate Olp started a petition calling on the judge to resign. After thousands of MoveOn members and allies joined Kate's call, the Montana Judicial Standards Commission filed a formal complaint against the judge, and he ultimately did not seek re-election. Will you stand with me, just as MoveOn members stood with Kate Olp, and speak out against rape culture by calling for Judge Persky to resign?

Judge Aaron Persky sentenced convicted rapist Brock Allen Turner to just six months in county jail and probation after he was found guilty of raping an unconscious woman outside of a fraternity party on the Stanford campus. In his remarks at sentencing, Judge Persky justified this light sentence out of concern for Turner's future and the impact the verdict will have on his life. As a Stanford graduate, I'm disgusted that this rape occurred and I am outraged by Judge Persky's lenient sentence. Rapists must be held accountable for their actions, and judges who refuse to hold them accountable must be removed from the bench. The Committee on Judicial Performance has the authority to remove a judge. If enough of us speak out and demand justice, we can ensure judges like Judge Persky must value the life of the woman who was raped over the consequences of a just sentence for the rapist.

A judge just sentenced a Stanford University star athlete--who was caught in the act of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman--to only six months in jail. Why? Because the judge, Aaron Persky, worried that a prison sentence would have a "severe impact on him"--yes, the rapist--and said, "I think he will not be a danger to others." It's a horrifying example of rape culture: when a judge is more concerned with the well-being of a rapist than with justice or public safety. This judge has no business staying on the bench. Now the story is making headlines around the country and Judge Persky is coming under fire. If we all speak out, we can generate enough outrage to force California's judicial oversight commission to remove Judge Persky from the bench--and send a message to judges and law enforcement everywhere that rape culture has no place in our courts. Will you add your name?

On Sunday, June 5, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement––intentionally circumventing the state legislature. The executive order signed by Gov. Cuomo will create a list of all businesses and groups engaged in BDS. Then, it will force all executive branch agencies and departments to cut contracts with any companies and organizations on this list.[1] This order comes on the heels of unsuccessful attempts of the New York legislature to pass anti-boycott legislation.[2] The BDS movement provides a form of nonviolent political expression and action that allows people of conscience to participate in the ongoing Palestinian struggle for justice. In recent years, the movement has gained traction, including among young people across university campuses and large organizations such as the U.S. Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church. No matter what one thinks of the BDS movement, this compilation of lists, by government agencies, of organizations and groups participating in a campaign of political dissent recalls the McCarthy era, attempting to stifle political opinions and actions. After other unsuccessful legislative attempts, this executive order is yet another blatant attempt to curb the rights of Palestinian activists and allies as they seek to highlight the injustices perpetrated against Palestinians. Gov. Cuomo is doing his best impression of Donald Trump with this authoritarian attack on free speech. He's also ignoring the rights of New Yorkers to dissent and take action on their political beliefs without being reprimanded by the government. Sign to demand that Governor Cuomo immediately reverse this executive order and, instead, stand with everyday New Yorkers who want to participate in political actions without fear of government interference. Sources: 1. “Cuomo, Fighting Boycott Against Israel, Will Halt State Business With Groups That Back It,” The New York Times, June 5, 2016 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/06/nyregion/cuomo-new-york-israel-boycott-bds-movement.html?_r=0 2. “NY legislature drops ‘unconstitutional blacklist’ anti-boycott bill.” Salon, May 5, 2016 http://www.salon.com/2016/05/05/lawmakers_waging_mccarthyite_attack_on_right_to_boycott_legal_groups_warn_as_israel_bds_movement_grows/

The CDC estimates there are half a million children ages 1-5 with elevated blood lead levels in the U.S. Lead is not safe for children at any level. Even trace amounts can cause irreversible damage to a child’s brain development and nervous system. The Flint crisis shed a light on the severity of lead poisoning in particular, as well as the urgency of taking action quickly. And it's not just Flint. Reports are sharing information about lead exposure in Texas, New York, California, Florida, and more. Half a million children in the US ages 1-5 have unsafe blood levels requiring medical attention. Lead exposure can happen through water, soil, paint... it can be pervasive and can have long-lasting medical and developmental implications for our children. Although we're *still* pushing for concrete financial support for Flint from the U.S. Congress, new efforts on Capitol Hill propose significant steps to improve infrastructure, require testing and reporting, assist those affected by lead poisoning -- making ALL our schools and homes safe for kids and families. Please join us in demanding swift action around lead NOW!

America’s water pipes are getting old — some as old as Ford's first Model T. And too many are still made of lead. These aging pipes are putting entire communities in danger, especially children. Lead poisoning can cause serious health problems, so ensuring that our drinking water is safe needs to be a national priority. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that $697 billion is needed to upgrade our drinking water and wastewater systems over the next 20 years. So where will that money come from? The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability (WATER) Act, recently introduced in Congress, would provide dedicated funding for fixing water infrastructure by closing corporate tax loopholes. Among other things, that money would be used to help homeowners and public schools test for and replace lead pipes. If passed, the WATER Act would secure a significant portion of the funding we need over the next 20 years to protect our drinking water, while also creating up to 945,000 jobs. Urge your representative to support the WATER Act and fix our aging water systems!

The Norwegian Refugee Council says ISIS is shooting civilians trying to flee Falluja as Iraqi security forces close in. CNN says four families hid in the marshes for days, drinking dirty water and eating old dates before they were finally able to escape. They ended up in a displaced persons camp where there is little food and other supplies. The NRC said almost 3,000 families have safely escaped the city since late May; most are being housed in displacement camps, and the NRC has warned of water shortages should the tens of thousands remaining in Falluja manage to escape. [1] Maybe we can't save all the civilians trapped in Falluja. But the least we can do is make sure that civilians who succeed in escaping from ISIS are taken care of. What's the excuse for not having enough food and water in the camps for people fleeing the fighting? Urge Congress to speak up for civilians fleeing the fighting in Falluja by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/middleeast/falluja-iraq-military-advance-isis/index.html

Donald Trump has made his hate-filled bigoted position clear in regard to minorities and people of other races/places, ignoring the fact that we are all connected and we all have the same basic needs. Does Mr. Trump have the courage necessary to learn the truth about his heritage? Perhaps if presented with the truth of his heritage, he will have to reflect on and reconsider his rhetoric and the philosophy of separation he clearly espouses. We are one. Courage and honesty, Mr. Trump. Can you summon those up and have your DNA charted?

Senator Sweeney continues to support Gas Pipelines through the Pinelands Reserve. This is being done illegally, and with total disregard for the environment.

As a former rape crisis advocate I am horrified at the slap on the wrist, a six-month jail sentence, that the Stanford rapist was issued. Twenty-year-old Brock Allen Turner was convicted by a jury of his peers of raping an unconscious, intoxicated 23-year-old woman behind a dumpster on Stanford's campus after a Kappa Alpha fraternity party. Turner stopped his assault when two male graduate students intervened. The fact that he is a white Stanford athlete should not grant him permission to get away with violence against women. Judge Aaron Persky only sentenced Turner to six months of jail time because of the "damage" that jail could do to him. He IS NOT the victim here. Tuner was charged with three felony counts, assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated or unconscious person, sexual penetration of an intoxicated person and sexual penetration of an unconscious person. These assaults have and will continue to cause his victim untold phyiscal and emotional damage. The victim addressed Turner at his sentencing: "Your life is not over; you have decades of years ahead to rewrite your story. The world is huge, it is so much bigger than Palo Alto and Stanford, and you will make a space for yourself in it where you can be useful and happy. But right now, you do not get to shrug your shoulders and be confused anymore. You do not get to pretend that there were no red flags. You have been convicted of violating me, intentionally, forcibly, sexually, with malicious intent, and all you can admit to is consuming alcohol. Do not talk about the sad way your life was upturned because alcohol made you do bad things. Figure out how to take responsibility for your own conduct." We call on the Palo Alto Courthouse to revisit Turner's sentencing to make his punishment fit the crime.

UCLA Extension Chem 14 Series

Sentenced to 90 years has already served 23 years first offense selling narcotics in Virginia all while in a wheelchair. This is a petition for justice, freedom and second chances. Who are we that we cannot give one another a second chance? We all have a responsibility to one another but that responsibility must be laid and decided on the basis of life, and not by the standards of one's view of life. I know to have a second chance you must have humility you must become humble and I believe in my heart and mind that Eugene Smalls has been humbled, having served 21 years in prison on a 90 year sentence all while in a wheelchair, on a first offense for selling drugs-a non-violent offense. He never harmed or committed any crime where there was a loss of life. This is beyond justice, and it can be viewed as cruel and unusual punishment.