On September 11th 2007, my seven year old son was told all Muslims are terrorists. Eight years later, the fear and smear of American Muslims continues. The safety of our nation is intertwined with the spiritual growth of her people. Tell America that American Muslims are not terrorists, they are our friends and neighbors, our brothers and sisters.

My mother was a Native American. She died still trying to convince those around her that she was a dark skinned white person. While I took after my father and have white skin and green eyes, inside beats the heart of a native. I cringe every time I see or hear hate in America. Too many people fly Confederate Flags, shoot little girls on highways, sneer at homeless people. I am in awe of people who can swear at a black homeless veteran to get out of their way so they can get to the church in time for cookies and coffee.

Residents of a Washington, DC apartment complex dialed 911 to report an ongoing assault and man yelling “they are going to kill me.” DC Metro Police (MPD) arrived to find two men standing over 27 year old Alonzo Smith, who was handcuffed and unresponsive. Smith was later pronounced dead. The men were 'Special Police,' licensed by DC after only 40 hours of training, operating as a private police force with the power to detain and arrest. Privatized policing is a growing trend with most states offering some sort of Special Police license [1]. Even though Alonzo died in the custody of the private police force, they have not been charged or even publicly identified. Instead, MPD has released scant and confusing information- why was Alonzo arrested? was he the one being assaulted?- in what looks and feels like a cover up, even initially labeling the killing a “justifiable homicide.” [2] Because DC police appear to be covering up of facts, they cannot be trusted to handle the investigation. Therefore, we call on the UN and OAS to conduct a truly independent investigation of Alonzo Smith’s death and the conduct of the MPD. We also call for community control over police so that police do not continue to act like occupying forces in Black communities. References [1] “Get ready for privatized police forces,” TheHexateron.com, 11-6-2015, http://tinyurl.com/oqb6dbu [2] “D.C. police investigate death of man found unconscious and in handcuffs,” Washington Post, 11-4-2015, http://tinyurl.com/pkdt8xq

Direct To Consumer advertising has done two pernicious things. It has created a nation of hypochondriacs with depression, bipolar disorder, GERD, restless legs, insomnia, seasonal allergies and assorted pain, mood and ‘risk’ conditions; and it has reduced doctors to order takers and gate keepers. Thanks to TV drug ads, patients tell doctors what is wrong with them and what pill they need, coupon in hand.

With a democratic form of government, the people have the say in who is elected into government office. Then, these elected officials make decisions based on what the people want, and in the best interest of majority of people. Also, people who have a voice in the government are more likely to be up to date on issues that are happening nationally and globally.

On Friday, October 23rd, Dr. Paul Gausman and the Sioux City School Board disregarded a petition which was aimed to stop Donald Trump from speaking at Sioux City West High due to the violation of the School Board’s Anti-Bullying/Harassment/Hazing Policy. Following Dr. Gausman’s statements that Donald Trump was still speaking, West High students met with the School Board to discuss the bullying that the students had suffered since the announcement of the Trump’s event. Even with their concerns voiced and their best efforts to be acknowledged by Dr. Paul Gausman and the Sioux City School Board, the event continued and the student’s concerns were neglected. Please join with us and demand that Dr. Paul Gausman and the Sioux City Community School District revise the District’s Anti-Bullying/Harassment/Hazing policy and have them provide a statement to the community illustrating their negligence for the safety and concerns of students.

As part of First Lego League competition, our team Lego Plus researched glass recycling and would like to request this. The team consists of Sreeja Gudiseva, Tanya Singhal and Zahra Izzi.

I work hard everyday. Six days a week, I get up and go to work, and right now I feel like a fool. My whole life, I have been able to trust that generally, when you work, you get paid. The PA budget impasse for the last 4+ months means that I don't know when I'm going to get paid for my work since last July 1. I'm not sure what to do. There seems to be no end in sight. Maybe I need to barter: speech therapy for a chicken? Speech therapy for fuel? Speech therapy for my insulin?

HUNDREDS OF WOMEN IN TEXAS HAVE GONE ON HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST INHUMANE TREATMENT AND INCARCERATION Refugee and migrant women are on hunger strike at the all-women T. Don Hutto detention center in Taylor, Texas — an ICE facility run by the notorious private prison company, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). They are demanding an end to abusive treatment and their immediate release. Since the strike began, ICE and CCA have escalated their efforts to retaliate by threatening to deport hunger strikers and moving at least 6 women to other facilities or placing them in solitary confinement as a response to their collective action. It’s torture. And if enough of us speak up, ICE and CCA officials will be forced to hear the women’s grievances and consider their demands.

Water from fracking operations is being used to irrigate crops. So despite all the undisclosed chemicals and water contamination concerns, your produce could have been grown with tainted water. Even crazier: this food can be labeled as "organic" under current rules. Convince the USDA to ban fracking wastewater from organic produce.

Global Leadership Academy International Charter High School(GLAICHS) will be a premier college preparatory school which will focus on international studies and leadership development, specializing in international travel, entrepreneurship and community service.

Giving the disabled a voice: No one listens if you don't have a degree, so I want mine.