On October 20, 2014, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was brutally gunned down by 16 shots from Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. The murder was caught on police dashboard cameras and security video from the restaurant- which was erased by police. [1] With the release of this devastating video evidence, it is now clear that the police lied and Laquan did not act in an aggressive manner. More than a year later, even with full evidence, Chicago city officials did nothing but reassign Officer Van Dyke to desk duty. But now that sustained grassroots mobilizations forced the city to release the video, they are finally charging Van Dyke- not because they believe in justice, but only because they want to avoid mass outrage. In Chicago, Black women, Black men, and Black youth face extreme levels of anti-Black violence and terrorism at the hands of the police. The city of Chicago has no interest in justice and the US Justice Department has consistently failed to defend Black people from racist attacks by police. That is why we are calling for the resignation of the police superintendent and the state's attorney and calling on the governor to appoint a special prosecutor whose only job is to investigate police killings. In addition, we call for a truly independent investigation conducted by the United Nations and Organization of American States into the violation of the human rights of Black people in Cook county and the city of Chicago. Sources [1] “The video that will rip Chicago apart — and why you need to see it,” The Chicago Tribune, 11-10-2015, http://trib.in/1lk39d4 “Chicago Police Sued for Alleged Police Brutality” ABC 7, 07-09-2015, http://abc7.ws/1TqxzWQ

I just signed this,will you? I am saddened to see the many innocent lives that are spent in prison. A simple test would save so many of these people.

Black students--who pay tuition just like their white counterparts--are leaving the University of Missouri because of active death threats against them. The school is on lockdown, classes have been cancelled, white students are walking around shouting "white power," and bricks have been thrown through windows--all in the wake of the University Chancellor stepping down and the President resigning. At the time, I was unable to find any mainstream media coverage about this incident. Racism is pervasive and threats and abuse are rampant. It's the worst we've seen in years. We cannot afford to live in denial or sit back and wait for others to act! Please sign this petition to help these students get back to campus and prevent further harm from being done. This violates their basic human rights! My petition is calling for the government to publicly address these concerns & to declare a no-tolerance policy on racial threats, slurs and discrimination.

We the undersigned would like to bring your attention to the following problem, with recommendations: John Brooks Recovery Center (JBRC) is a nonprofit agency providing Substance Abuse services to the residents of NJ since 1969. Clients are able to access various levels of care based upon an individual assessment. Psychiatric evaluations, medication monitoring and individualized care are offered to all clients. Medication assisted therapy is also available in all modalities. JBRC is a 119 bed facility located in Atlantic City, providing long term inpatient care. This represents ten percent of the long term treatment beds in New Jersey and the only long term residential facility in South Jersey serving the uninsured general public. The residential treatment programs are for adult men and women whose lives have been significantly impacted by the use of drugs and/or alcohol. The program is 3 to 6 months long depending on the individual’s progress. Originally an agreement was struck to relocate JBRC with Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) picking up the tab—a move that Governor Christie supported; however casinos began to close. Ultimately the CRDA agreed to fund part of the agreement. Under the new agreement JBRC would receive $8.1 million; 4 million for the relocation and renovation of two outpatient sites outside of the Tourist District and 4.1 million for the purchase of its buildings in AC. The construction costs of a new facility to fully replace the 119 beds is approximately $10 million. With the current proposal in place, JBRC would only be able to provide outpatient services (including the methadone clinic). The $8.1 million is really not enough to fund a new facility. Part of the problem is unmet promises by the state to increase the fees for residential treatment from the current $68 per day. If the $68 that is currently being paid is increased it may be possible to obtain a bank loan for the remainder of the funds needed to rebuild with the same capacity. JBRC receives almost all of their funds from the state. The recommendation is to have CEO Alan Oberman from JBRC sit down with state officials and the CRDA to work on a financial solution.

While the inspiring protests against racism on campus led to the resignation of the University of Missouri president and chancellor, that hasn't ended the threat of violent racists. Threats against Black students at Mizzou have actually surged in recent days, including threats to 'shoot every black person I see,' shouts of 'white power,' and even physically trapping cars with Black students inside them. One called in threat resulted in the lockdown of a school building. CNN says these 'reports' of threats have been declared false by police but, at the same time, quietly notes that arrests have in fact been made--meaning the threat is real. Mainstream media is about to walk away from this story, but we can't abandon Mizzou's students right now, just as they're becoming more vulnerable. Let's stand together against violent racism at the University of Missouri.

My son was molested and because he has disabilities and can't be questioned in a court of law by his molester's attorney, this person cant be charged. I need laws to changed to protect our disabled children and adults. If it can be proven that children with Autism or Down Syndrome are incapable of lying, then their statement must be true and should be allowed in a courtroom against their attackers. My son pointed out a puncture and told what happened to him He is eight years old, and because he had autism and can not be questioned in a court of law by his attacker; this person gets to move on to his next disabled child. Please help us have a voice for Jesse.

I am starting this because I feel it is the right thing to do. The Las Vegas Municipal Court has been ripping off the citizens of Las Vegas for years, and it must come to a stop, so please join in and sign this petition so we can let our voices be heard.

The People of Santa Cruz are put through the distressing task of trying to get to the Eastern Main Road every morning, which takes at least two hours in traffic from upper Santa Cruz to the Santa Cruz old road. While we acknowledge that traffic is a nationwide problem, we continue to experience further delays as our roads deteriorate with widening pot holes along the saddle, causing undue stress to those leaving Santa Cruz. This is unacceptable and the people of Santa Cruz are demanding that our roads be fixed immediately. We have lived through months of this distress. The roads are patched poorly and return to their obscene condition shortly thereafter. We have a newly elected government, but the local government body has not changed! We demand attention NOW! This is our democratic right!

Natural resources such as water and gas belong to future generations as well. We cannot simply burn it all up, sell if off cheaply and trash our planet with more plastics. Building a huge chemical refinery within an urban center holds too many dangers for our safety, air and water and the well being of our sensitive natural environment.

Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) outnumber real women's health centers by 3 to 1. These centers do not have medical personnel on staff, do not provide effective contraception to women or men, provide no actual health services and dupe vulnerable women into believing that they are actual medical facilities. According to Salon.com: "More often than not, CPCs — which now outnumber abortion clinics by an estimated 3 to 1 — can be misleading, manipulative or downright coercive, pushing a distinctly antiabortion agenda that relies heavily on lying to clients. Investigations have time and again uncovered evidence that these centers, many of which are religiously affiliated, purposely attempt to portray themselves as secular medical providers that provide comprehensive care for women facing unintended pregnancies. They don't, though, and often don’t even have licensed medical professionals on the premises." In fact, California just passed a law requiring CPCs to disclose to women ALL of their legal options regarding their pregnancies. Not surprisingly, this is being challenged in court, as the CPCs wish to continue their blatant campaign to misinform and lie to women. Even worse, there are those in Congress who wish to honor these institutions who knowingly take taxpayer money to misinform and harass women. From the Lady Parts Justice League: "Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced resolutions in the Senate and House that designate the week of November 8, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." National Pregnancy Centers are not medical institutions. They are not staffed by doctors or trained medical professionals. These are fake clinics created by anti-choice activists with the sole purpose of shaming women into continuing their pregnancies. They actively deprive women of reproductive health information in the name of discouraging them from choosing abortion." It is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars, not to mention an affront to the basic tenet of "separation of church and state" to continue to funnel taxpayer dollars to these religion based institutions. Please stand up and say "No" to taxpayer funding of these dishonest, religion based faux medical facilities.

The Bureau of Land Management proposes to lease 31,000 acres of public mineral rights under the Wayne National Forest to fracking companies. Fracking on the Wayne would cause significant socioeconomic and environmental problems. The Wayne Forest Supervisor has the power to withold consent and block the sale. Instead of bowing to political and corporate power, Scardina needs to listen to the public, follow environmental law, and just say #leaveitintheground

We want healthy and safe school hours for ALL Greenwich students. When teens get the required 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep: • School attendance goes up • Tardiness decreases • They sleep less in class • They have fewer car accidents • They visit nurses and counselors less often • They report less depression and irritability • They suffer fewer concussions and sports injuries Starting school early, without a doubt, undermines optimal health and success.