I am a documentary filmmaker who has covered the plight of the Kurds in Iraq.

Dear friend: Puerto Rico (PR) is experiencing one of the worst crisis in many years. When we objectively evaluate the reason, the consensus is that the root of our problems is the lack of resolution of our status. Since 1898, PR belongs to the United States of America (US); since 1917, those who are born in this blessed Island are American citizens; and in 1952 we enacted our Constitution, which did not change our colonial or territorial status. I am proud to be an American citizen but resent my Island's relationship with the US. How many more years must go by without our soldiers, who go into battle risking their lives alongside their comrades soldiers residents of the 50 states, can vote for their "Commander in Chief"? How many more laws will be enacted in US Congress without Puerto Rico having a congressional representation with the right to vote to support or object them because of their impact on our daily lives? For how much longer we have to resign ourselves to be the first in line for cuts to federal funds and the last at the time of the distribution? All this because we are a colony; because based on our status, under the Territorial Clause of the US Constitution, Congress can discriminate against the 3.5 million of American citizens who live here. Because at the moment you don't live in the Island, this letter is addressed to you. Although I know that many have left PR by choice, during my visits as a candidate to become the first female Resident Commissioner in Washington, DC, I come across too many mothers who share their pain because their children have had to leave with the hope of finding better opportunities in one of the 50 states. Whether it was by choice or because you felt you didn't have any other option, I know you still love your Island and want the best for it. I know you're convinced that the discrimination must end NOW; we deserve EQUALITY. Unfortunately, our present situation leads too many to think that PR is no longer the Island of Enchantment; that instead of being Puerto Rico, it should be called "Puerto Pobre". This has to change NOW; it is time to act. The solution of PR's status is a matter that requires the support of those who live on the Island and those who like you, for living in one of the 50 states, have the right to vote for the President of US and a congressional delegation with the right to vote. And because of that power that you have and I don't, I ask of you to take a few moments of your time to electronically sign the enclosed petition. The same will be sent to the White House, to your congressional representatives and to the candidates for those positions. As you can see, in the same you demand from those with the duty to represent you to stop ignoring the issue; that it is time that the solution of PR's status becomes a priority for them, to be proven with action and not words. I'm counting on your support for this initiative; together we'll be stronger and I know that the political power that you have, because EnUSAMiVotoCuenta, will be decisive in achieving the goal of resolving PR's status and, finally, achieve the EQUALITY that we deserve. Your friend, Zoé Laboy

This petition is being started to find out what really happened to the young and beautiful Sandra Bland. This incident has affected a lot of people, and we are all just so curious.

Illegal search and seizures and false arrests--our officials are tormenting the community by seizing personal property for their own use and gains, causing people to be afraid and in some cases committing suicide. These paid officials are supposed to serve and protect the citizens of their community. Officer Williams of Oneida County Sheriff's Office has in fact committed perjury under oath on the stand. These acts should be stopped before other people are hurt. The people of the community deserve protection, to be secure in their homes, and not to live in fear; they should live with the knowledge that the founding document, the Constitution, protects them just as it should all others in this country. Instead, they have been robbed of the Constitutional protections of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. From judge's, prosecuting attorneys, to the sheriffs office, they are all involved. Time for a change!

After personally witnessing the lack of respect for living creatures at a local lawn fete I adamantly petition for the ban of giving any live animals as prizes for carnival, lawn fete, or fair games in New York and all U.S. States and territories.

Target was the first major retail chain to stop selling cigarettes (back in 1996). Last fall, CVS made headlines when it too discontinued the sale of tobacco products. But CVS just did Target one better by also withdrawing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As revealed in a recent New York Times series, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is deliberately and systematically opposing public health efforts in numerous countries to reduce tobacco use. Just in case there’s any confusion, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is neither part of the federal government (that’s the Department of Commerce) nor anything like your local Chamber of Commerce (which may well be composed of small business owners genuinely concerned about your community). Rather, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s most aggressive corporate lobbyist, spending more each year than any other company or organization to push policies that benefit Big Business. Does Target really want to be associated with what the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is doing to shill for Big Tobacco and defend a product that kills 6 million people worldwide every year? We call on you to follow the lead of CVS by withdrawing Target’s membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Our public schools are already suffering from shortage of funds to provide the best education for our children. I don't feel it's very democratic for a few law makers to impose a decision on our tax dollars. The public has a right to have an option on how our hard-earned money is used.

There is a legal precedence. The Police Unions should support this Petition. We need more checks and balances. More Cameras turned on the police 24/7 for their sake. No restrictions. We want to see more police videos helping the homeless.. walking old women across the street.. these are the great police and the wonderful work they do for us. Sign Now! This worked under RICO: About June 1984, the Key West Police Department located in the County of Monroe, Florida, was declared a criminal enterprise under the federal RICO statutes after a lengthy United States Department of Justice investigation. Several high-ranking officers of the department, including Deputy Police Chief Raymond Cassamayor, were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket for illegal cocaine smugglers.[18] At trial, a witness testified he routinely delivered bags of cocaine to the Deputy Chief's office at City Hall. This did not work: In April 2000, Federal judge William J. Rea in Los Angeles, ruling in one Rampart scandal case, said that the plaintiffs could pursue RICO claims against the LAPD, an unprecedented finding. The idea that a police organization could be characterized as a racketeering enterprise shook up City Hall and further damaged the already-tarnished image of the LAPD. However, in July 2001, U.S. District Judge Gary A. Feess said that the plaintiffs do not have standing to sue the LAPD under RICO because they are alleging personal injuries, rather than economic or property damage. **The focus must be on economics. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed a person who instructed someone else to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because he did not actually commit the crime personally.[1] RICO was enacted by section 901(a) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Pub.L. 91–452, 84 Stat. 922, enacted October 15, 1970), and is codified at 18 U.S.C. ch. 96 as 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968. G. Robert Blakey, an adviser to the United States Senate Government Operations Committee, drafted the law under the close supervision of the committee's chairman, Senator John Little McClellan. It was enacted as Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, and signed into law by Richard M. Nixon. While its original use in the 1970s was to prosecute the Mafia as well as others who were actively engaged in organized crime, its later application has been more widespread. Beginning in 1972, 33 States adopted state RICO laws to be able to prosecute similar conduct. Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count. In addition, the racketeer must forfeit all ill-gotten gains and interest in any business gained through a pattern of "racketeering activity." Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Enacted in most states in 1972/1973. Many more cases of RICO here including recently FIFA... and historically The Hells Angels, Mohawk Industry and more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act#Summary

Drowning is 100% preventable. It's time that we, as Americans, prevent drowning 100%! I, Dave Benjamin, survived a drowning accident in Lake Michigan December 26, 2010 and then I dedicated my life to water safety and drowning survival (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqxKGQ_BJg) . I co-founded the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) with Bob Pratt where we: --Track the Great Lakes drowning statistics (404 since 2010) --Organize and Present “Great Lakes Water Safety” classes (Over 145 classes since 2011) --Organize Surf Lifeguard Certification courses --Work with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety. Great Lakes drownings are just the tip of the iceberg of the nationwide drowning epidemic, and it is time for drowning to cease being a "Neglected Public Health Issue"! The GLSPR has the curriculum. Let's Launch it in the Great Lakes Region and then implement it nationwide.

I am starting this petition as a proud disabled American who is tired of seeing other disabled folks forced into a lifetime of poverty.

Yes, I made a mistake, but why can't I can't get a foot back into society because of my record? I did the time and it still doesn't count because to be honest on an application just to get another no! just isn't fair. Remove background checks from applications so people can lead productive, honest lives.

My sister, who was born deaf and with congenital heart disease, is currently receiving a monthly SSD check which barely covers basic necessities. She is not capable of working and were she to need hospitalization, the co-pays alone would be unmanageable. She, along with millions of others born handicaps, bare a burden most American will never fully appreciate.