On April 14, 2016 during UW Madison Professor, Dr. Johanna F. Almiron’s Afro-American Studies Class, Black Visual Culture, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department ambushed the classroom, and removed a young black male student from the class. Upon confrontation, the student agreed to leave his seat and subsequently was detained and arrested outside of the classroom and taken to the Dane County Jail, where supporters later posted his bail. The student has been accused of 11 counts of vandalism for putting graffiti on buildings that directly confronts the racism faced by students like him on campus. He was also charged with one count of disorderly conduct. We denounce UWPD’s deplorable actions and ask for immediate accountability from campus administration, particularly Chancellor Rebecca Blank. We also ask that regardless of the outcome of the charges against him that the student be given immunity from expulsion for his actions and be allowed to graduate on time this May. "The university is more interested in protecting the symbols of UW as a progressive institution like their buildings and Bucky rather than the students who are actually fighting for social change, and apparently their lives," said Dr. Almiron. "The way UWPD officers entered my class was very aggressive with bullet proof vests and guns visible. I cannot believe they humiliated and terrified my students. The fact that our classrooms are not respected as spaces of learning is absolutely appalling." "Perhaps because the class deals with ethnic studies content and social justice issues, UWPD did not consider Dr. Almiron’s classroom worthy of its respect," said Dr. Karma Chávez, associate professor of Communication Arts. "UWPD did not recognize Dr. Almiron’s authority in the classroom, nor did they even acknowledge her as the professor when she tried to intervene. This is The Real UW." UWPD’s actions happen in the midst of an unprecedented number of reported racist incidents on campus, and as students of color have been sharing their stories of racism at UW on numerous media outlets via the hashtag, #therealUW. According to reports, UWPD tried numerous times to make contact with the student for his alleged violations. UWPD reports that arresting the student in his class was a last resort. We find this rationale unacceptable. Even the rash of violent crimes on campus such as rape and sexual assault have not warranted this kind of response. This charge was for vandalism. To arrest him in his Afro-American studies classroom, in front of his professor and his classmates goes well beyond the call of duty. We can only wonder if the content of the graffiti under question, which challenges police violence and racism on campus, serves as a rationale for UWPD’s use of such a public display of force. We refuse to be silent in the face of this incident that we understand as related to the many individual and structural racist incidents that have recently happened on UW Madison’s campus. "Racism is in the air, don’t breathe." "White Supremacy is a disease."

As an LGBTQ person, it's hard to witness laws like this one being passed that harshly impact the lives of many people. It's tough enough to deal with stigma about sexual preference and added discrimination reverses the progress that our country has made towards much needed equality. The NBA is very influential in American media and society but has had some discrimination issues in the past. Taking a stand against LGTBQ discrimination would give the organization a good name and push North Carolina law-makers to do the right thing: change the law. You have the opportunity to make this happen. Stop discrimination, sign now!

Bernie Sanders is a truly progressive candidate who can move this country into a more productive, happier, safer, cleaner, more efficient and more ethical direction. His hard work in fighting for worker’s/human rights, the ecology, education, healthcare and transparency in Government is unparalleled by any other candidate, from implementing the first 100% solar powered city of Burlington, to being awarded the VFW medal of honor, Senator Sanders is a man of honor and action. We call upon you Sir, because many of us believe you to be a man of integrity and a true leader. Please show courage and help support Senator Sanders with an endorsement!

Susana and her daughters are at increased risk for violence if they were to be deported their hometown, where the drug trafficking has gained a stronghold in recent years. Susana and her daughter survived a mass shooting in Mexico as part of a growing network of organized crime and her family has experienced extortion in which they had to pay more than 75% of their earnings to a local drug cartel at the threat of violence. Additionally, the medical consequences of Susana’s and Sayra’s deportation are very serious for all, especially for Isabela. Isabela needs to continue her medical care and will be the only member of the immediate family left here if Susana and Sayra are deported. Susana and Sayra must leave the United States at the end of this month. Tickets are dated for April 29th, 2016. PLEASE ACT NOW TO PREVENT SUSANA AND SAYRA FROM RETURNING TO MEXICO ON APRIL 29th.

I believe that Bernie Sanders is the only candidate to take us forward. His opponent has supported DOMA the PATRIOT ACT the TPP, KEYSTONE, FRACKING, PRISONS FOR PROFIT and has stood against the CARBON TAX the GLASS-STEAGALL ACT, dropped healthcare when the healthcare industry put money in here coffers and has made seroius fabrications and careless comments from her statement about being under sniper fire (Blattant slap in the face to VFW's) to making Nancy Regan sound like an advocate for HIV victims, when the Regans remained silent on a deadly epidemic.

Last year, 4 million Americans spoke out for net neutrality -- crucial protections for free speech and fair treatment online. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) heard us and passed the strongest Open Internet rules ever. Now, cable company lobbyists are pressuring Congress to pass a bill blocking the FCC from enforcing its own rules, including net neutrality. And if H.R. 2666 passes, these billion dollar corporations will be free to price gouge consumers, extort companies that do business online, and slow down service for everyone. We can’t let that happen. We can’t let Congress get in the way of the FCC’s pro-consumer mission. If H.R. 2666 passes, the FCC would have no way to punish corporations when they treat us unfairly, jack up prices, or hit us with unscrupulous surcharges. That’s an awful deal for us, but it’s a dream come true for Comcast and Verizon’s bottom line. That’s why they’re calling in every favor they can to pass this bill. They’re hoping their lobbyists can overrule the 4 million Americans who called on the FCC to protect net neutrality. But if we speak out now as loudly as we did back then, we can stop Big Cable in their tracks - and save net neutrality. They’re trying to ram their wishlist through Congress before anyone notices -- so your representatives need to know you’re watching closely.

It's the right thing to do.

People who live in Los Angeles understand that there is zero tolerance for discrimination in our community. We also need to stand up for our brothers and sisters in other communities who are subject to discrimination. Sports teams and athletes have a huge voice in our society and we respectfully ask that they help to end discrimination in every way they can.

I believe all people should have equality in this country; countless lives have been lost and we have all worked too hard to protect our citizens to allow such discrimination.

As the current law in Tennessee stands, expecting mothers may only receive pay at the employer’s discretion. We, a group of female students at Lipscomb University, would like to see this change. Why? The answer is simple: In today’s economy, no matter the situation, a woman cannot afford to be without pay for months at a time. The cost of living is rising. Basic needs from housing to groceries are becoming less affordable even for couples, let alone single women who by choice or by no choice conceive a child. To be expected to take a few months away without pay is frankly impossible. We are also concerned about part-time employees who receive no benefits. Many jobs only hold a handful of full-time positions within their companies. Often women in need of a job are forced to settle for part-time hours because there are no openings for a full-time position. This really hurts when it comes to pregnancy because part of the reason that corporations keep so few full-time employees is to avoid providing necessary benefits. If a woman becomes pregnant while working part-time, she has no choice but to either go straight back to work after giving birth or accept unemployment benefits which more than likely will not match her working wage. As part of the current bill, employers who do provide maternity leave to employees are only required to hold a similar job for a woman if she chooses to take leave. This means that someone else will step into her job, so when she comes back, she will essentially start over in a like-position. We would like to see progressing, career-oriented women be able to pick up where they left off exactly. Several developed countries provide paid leave for their expecting mothers with no economic consequences. Therefore, we believe that the benefits outweigh the costs of businesses providing paid leave to their employed mothers-to-be. The first few months of a newborn’s life are crucial for mental and physical health. Babies are more likely to be breast-fed, which helps protect them from serious infection. Women who are able to stay home with their newborn report fewer depressive symptoms, reducing the risk of developing depression after quickly returning to work and leaving their child with another caretaker. Let’s help all women get the benefits they deserve: to receive their living wage during leave, to be able to enjoy the first weeks of their child’s life, and to continue progressing their career once they return to the workplace. We have mailed a copy of the bill with these revisions to our state representatives. Please sign this petition to show support for these changes.

On April 9, 2016 my husband and I had lunch at Golden Corral and during our meal, I noticed a man sitting at the opposite table in front of us had a gun holstered in his belt. I beckoned for our server and asked him if Golden Corral allows weapons inside their restaurant. He said yes, as long as it's "in the open" but not if "it's concealed." Being that his answer wasn't adequate, my husband asked to speak to the manager. He arrived at our table and I asked him the same question. He affirmed that Golden Corral allows guns inside their restaurant since "Ohio is open carry." I said we wouldn't be back and he said that was fine; in fact, "he felt safe with someone open carrying inside Golden Corral." Guns have their place but not in public restaurants.

Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair Keith Ellison, a high-profile supporter of Bernie Sanders, and former State Department official Huma Abedin, a high-profile supporter of Hillary Clinton, are two of the most prominent Muslim Americans in American politics. Apparently, the anti-American terrorist group Daesh ("ISIS") has a problem with the involvement of Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin in American political life. Apparently, that contradicts the anti-American Daesh propaganda line that there's no place for Muslims in America. Apparently, that's why Daesh has issued death threats against Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin. [1] Urge Congress to pass a resolution condemning Daesh death threats against Keith Ellison and Huma Abedin by signing our petition. References: 1. https://twitter.com/keithellison/status/720347634624524288