The 2025 wildfires didn’t just destroy homes, they exposed deep systemic inequities and left vulnerable residents without jobs, homes, or access to critical services. As future social workers, we believe recovery is not just about rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring people’s lives, their connections, and their opportunities. AB 338 is crucial because it provides a targeted solution for those most affected by the disaster. The bill would not only help rebuild the physical infrastructure but also offer long-term benefits, such as job training and local employment opportunities, that contribute to economic stability. This will help survivors recover their livelihoods while giving them the tools to rebuild their communities. If AB 338 is not passed, the rebuilding process will face significant delays, and thousands of low- and middle-income residents will be at risk of homelessness, financial instability, and adverse mental health outcomes. Families and businesses need the support of both local and state governments to recover in a way that restores their dignity and independence. By supporting AB 338, we can ensure a faster, more equitable recovery and invest in a California where communities are stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.

One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the lack of true accountability due to a major governance loophole. The district is a public school system with no military affiliation, yet it operates entirely on a military installation under what amounts to a lifetime lease of the land on which it is built. Because of this, military leadership has no authority over internal district matters, creating a serious gray area that allows district leadership to operate without oversight. Even more concerning is how school board members are not elected by the public—they’re selected by a panel that is essentially assembled by the district’s own leadership. Last year, a highly qualified individual who had been outspoken about holding the superintendent and board accountable was initially chosen for a board seat. However, the superintendent reportedly intervened by contacting a general to have that decision reversed, and was successful. The spots were then filled by individuals more aligned with the superintendent’s interests. This level of control—paired with a lack of external checks and balances—creates an environment ripe for corruption. The district’s leadership is able to maintain power and suppress dissent with little to no consequence, all made possible by the unique and deeply problematic structure of its governance.

The CICP was established in 2005 under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act).  The CICP is codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 247d–6e and 239a, and its implementing regulations are found at 42 C.F.R. Part 110.  The CICP was created to act as a safeguard for Americans injured by medical interventions deployed in public health emergencies. In exchange for granting broad legal immunity to manufacturers,distributors, and healthcare providers under the PREP Act, Congress intended the CICP to serve as a critical safety net for those harmed by emergency-use interventions.  Instead, the program has become a black hole where claims go to die, families are ignored, and the government quietly evades accountability. As of November 1, 2024, the CICP had received 13,520 claims, many from people who lost loved ones after being given COVID-19 treatments authorized for emergency use during the pandemic. Of the 3,438 claims reviewed, not a single one involving non-vaccine treatments has been approved. This is due, in part, because the CICP requires claimants prove that an authorized countermeasure was the sole cause of their loved one’s death.  Such a standard of causation is virtually impossible to meet. The CICP’s shocking 0% approval rate of claimsreflects its failure to protect the very people Congress intended—families who can no longer sue due to the PREP Act. These families were told the CICP would be their only path to justice. But in reality, the system is rigged against them. One such family is that of Peter Petrassi, a 49-year-old New York City Transit conductor who served the MTA for over 20 years. In March 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter reported to work every day, helping to keep essential city services running. He was later exposed to COVID-19 and his illness worsened, compounded by the effects of treatment he received as a result of protocols in place at the time. Peter died from complications that his family believes were at least partially caused by countermeasures administered during his illness — yet his family has no legal path to compensation or accountability. Peter was the first New York City MTA worker to die during the COVID-19 pandemic but, sadly, his death was not an isolated case. A year later, 156 transit workers had died fromcomplications related to COVID-19, many of whom were hospitalized and treated using the same emergency countermeasures.  Yet Peter’s family, like many others, has been shut out by the CICP, unable to meet the impossibly high bar of proving that a single drug or treatment — and not COVID-19 itself — was the sole cause of their loved one’s death. This is just one example among thousands. Behind each claim is a grieving spouse, parent, or child. These families were told to trust the government’s response to a pandemic. Many received treatments that were rushed to market under Emergency Use Authorization. Now, they are told they have no right to sue, no right to appeal, and no right to compensation because the government has protected itself and pharmaceutical companies from liability while providing a broken compensation mechanism for citizens. We need your help to bring this tragedy to the attention of the United States Congress. How has the CICP failed? - Zero transparency: Families are denied access to how decisions within the CICP are made. Secret internal guidance allegedly instructs reviewers to search for any other cause of injury or death to justify denial. - Impossible standards: The requirement to prove that the countermeasure was the sole cause of death contradicts medical reality, especially when COVID-19 was present in most cases. - No legal recourse: Once the Secretary of Health and Human Services makes a final determination regarding a claim for compensation under the CICP, there is no option for appeal, either judicial or administrative. This is violative of the fundamental right of due process.   - Wasteful spending: While families receive nothing, millions of taxpayer dollars have been paid to government contractors and to cover administrative expenses of the CICP. - Complete lack of accountability: Despite these failures, the program continues to operate without reform, oversight, or pressure to improve. Call to action:  Congress created the CICP to serve as a lifeline for those harmed during a national crisis. Instead, it has turned its back on them. By signing this petition, you join others in demanding Congress stop the silent suffering of thousands of families, restore trust and dignity to those who answered the call of service during a national emergency, and reform the CICP before more lives are irreparably harmed.  

Our children deserve a school system that puts their needs first. Our educators deserve to work in a system where funds are allocated efficiently. And our taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent. Transparency builds trust. It is time for accountability. We urge Stamford’s elected officials to act immediately and authorize an independent audit of the Stamford Board of Education.

Lawsuits On Your Behalf Were Filed Without Your Consent. Taxpayer Dollars at Risk. Your elected officials have filed lawsuits against neighboring towns and the Six Senses project — without informing Rhinebeck residents and without your input. These lawsuits serve the goals of a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills. ❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark. ⚠️ Rhinebeck Town Officials made no effort to communicate with defendants about their concerns before taking legal action on your dime. ⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits. This is a serious ethical breach. 💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate. We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand: 🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent. 🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS. New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions: Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that NO ACTION BY FORMAL VOTE SHALL BE TAKEN TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS. ✍️ Sign the Petition. Make Your Voice Heard.

After Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents abducted Kilmar Abrego Garcia, he was illegally deported to an infamous mega-prison in El Salvador — the same country he fled as a teenager because of gang violence. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court order that Abrego Garcia be returned, the Trump administration has refused to act. Instead, they’re stonewalling and causing more harm: His wife and three kids have been forced into a safe house after U.S. officials posted their home address on social media. Experiences like this are becoming horrifyingly commonplace, but cracks in a horrible deportation machine are showing. Trump's immigration approval rating sank 10 points in April. ICE buses filled with people to be deported have turned around. Senator Chris Van Hollen went to El Salvador himself to push for Abrego Garcia’s safe return. After being denied access at CECOT, the notorious mega-prison, he was able to speak with him and confirm that he is still alive. Over the past few weeks, more members of Congress have met with detainees and political prisoners to amplify their stories and fight for everyone’s rights. It’s critically needed leadership, but it wouldn’t have happened without activists like you pushing for it, so let’s keep going. Gratitude can make a HUGE difference in moments like this. A thank you signals you’re doing the right thing. It builds encouragement to do it again. It’s also a uniquely hot commodity — like all humans, when one lawmaker sees another get praise, they want in. If we want to see more actions like Sen. Van Hollen’s, he and other members taking brave action need to hear from you today.

As constituents of Texas’ 31st District, we believe it is vital that our elected representative maintain open, two-way communication with the people he serves. A public town hall provides a forum for dialogue, transparency, and accountability — values that transcend party lines and strengthen our democracy. Many of us have serious concerns about issues that directly impact our lives, such as protecting due process for all Americans and preserving essential healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Whether we agree on every policy or not, we all deserve the opportunity to ask questions, share our views, and be heard. A town hall is not about division — it’s about connection, respect, and being active participants in the decisions that affect our communities.

Just days ago, three U.S. citizen children from two different families were deported with their mothers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One of them is a 4-year-old with Stage 4 cancer who was deported without medication or the ability to contact their doctors. Lawyers say the families were taken to an ICE facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, where they were prevented from communicating with their family members and legal representatives and then put on a flight to Honduras. The lack of humanity and due process is shocking and intentionally violent.  Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in an already broken immigration system that isn’t working for anyone. And it’s becoming increasingly worse and harder to navigate for people under the Trump administration in the past few months.  People are being arrested by ICE, their families ripped apart and their children—regardless of their citizenship— kidnapped and sent to countries they’ve never called home. This is happening right now in our country. And it must stop.  This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s a matter of fairness and basic rights. Trump’s administration and these expedited deportations are violating the rights of both citizens and noncitizens. It’s unacceptable. 

Opposing this dangerous and outright reckless legislation should be a no-brainer for members of Congress.  For years, states have had the power to decide who is too dangerous to carry a concealed weapon in public and where concealed firearms are not permitted.  And while only 21 states require a permit in order to carry a concealed weapon, research shows that these states tend to experience fewer gun-related incidents. In fact, states that passed permitless carry laws saw, on average, a 27% increase in gun homicides within three years of the change, while other states saw less than half that increase during the same time period.  Polls also consistently show that a majority of Americans oppose weakening concealed carry permit laws. This dangerous concealed carry mandate legislation must not pass. 

Democracy -By Langston Hughes Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right As the other fellow has To stand On my two feet And own the land. I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. Freedom Is a strong seed Planted In a great need. I live here, too. I want freedom Just as you.

Experts are already concerned about the treatment visitors to the World Cup and Olympics would face in the U.S.—especially for people traveling from countries that the Trump administration has treated with open contempt. This isn’t a theoretical threat. Already, countries including Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, and Canada have issued travel advisories about the possibility of being detained by the Department of Homeland Security in the U. S. and have warned transgender people about the State Department’s change in policy regarding gender markers on passports.  It's not clear that the millions of people who will visit the United States over the next three years will be kept safe from the Trump administration’s draconian policies. Add your name telling the leadership of FIFA and the Olympics to put the safety of visitors and athletes first.

Together, we call upon the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL to re-evaluate their current disciplinary measures and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence. This would include mandatory comprehensive training for all athletes and staff on domestic violence and gender sensitivity, clear and stringent penalties for violations, and a transparent reporting system that holds individuals accountable regardless of their status.  By implementing these changes, professional sports can take a stand against domestic violence, sending a strong message that behavior off the field matters just as much as performance on it. Sign this petition to urge these leagues to enact these crucial reforms and ensure justice and accountability for all.