The entire live event industry has been shut down plunging everyone working in it into unemployment with no end in sight. People like me who have invested 38 years of my life to be at the top of my game working on Broadway. The extra $2400 monthly has allowed me to have a grain of hope that I can hold on long enough living in one of the most expensive areas in the country. If I lose it, I will need to sell my place and move away from NYC. Hundreds of thousands more are in the same position all over the country. We are ready to work but work is not ready for us.

Parents, in times such as these, we become the voice of reason for our children. We are their protectors; the individuals they rely on to prioritize their education, health, and well-being. With the rise of COVID-19 in Florida and the Pensacola area recently being placed into the top 10 epicenters for contracting the disease, our children with health issues, such as the immunocompromised and asthmatics, need us to be their voices more than ever before. The options the Santa Rosa County School system have put in place are not structured to create an environment to educate our children due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rather, they highlight education options which were already in place prior to the breakout of the virus. This has caused thousands of families in the district to choose between their children’s mental health, physical health, and education—a decision a parent should never be asked to make. Thus, this petition has been created to highlight the lack of reasonable options for Santa Rosa County Children and the their parents and to urge the district not to make decisions based off of a survey created in the middle of the summer with out-of-date statistics, but to rework the way the 2020-2021 year will be managed based on current concerns by the district’s families and teachers. The Santa Rosa County School district has given three options; Full-Time Brick and Mortar Schooling with COVID-19 restrictions (which does not include the prioritization of masks), online schooling though Santa Rosa Online (which does not connect students to their brick and mortar teachers, rather, provides different teachers through a more rigorous program that admittedly is not designed for students who need more assistance), and homeschooling. Other school districts have shown that there are, indeed, more options available besides the three that Santa Rosa School District has offered parents. Two that we would like to bring up to the district are below: 1) Distance Learning: Allowing children to learn from home exclusively with the teacher’s assistance from the brick and mortar school they would have originally attended. This will allow students with IEP’s and/or health issues to learn safely from home while getting the education they deserve, the comfort of a face they recognize, and an environment that will not risk their health. 2) Hybrid Learning: Allowing students through logistical planning to spend certain days at their brick and mortar school while splitting the other half of their week into distance learning. This will allow teachers to better control the environment of their classrooms with smaller class sizes, but also allow children and teachers to have face-to-face contact with their students. This would greatly reduce the spread but allow students to have a sense of normalcy—necessary for a child’s mental health. Parents, through this petition, are asking to be heard to discuss other options, such as those listed above. Together, we can create an environment where we do not have to choose between our children’s mental and physical health and education. We owe it to the children of Santa Rosa County.

Rot is a Laotian-Cambodian refugee who escaped from the Cambodian genocide as a child. His family resettled in Long Beach, CA and most of his family still currently resides there. Growing up during the resettlement period, his family encountered cultural, financial, and emotional challenges adjusting to the new country. As a result, his home life was turbulent. Rot sought acceptance and belonging through his friends. His friend group became his chosen family and his gang. At sixteen years old, Rot and his friends were trying to fix their car. Confronted by another man from the neighborhood, the man told his group to leave immediately. The situation escalated as Rot felt challenged and threatened by this. He retrieved his gun and decided to shoot the man. As a seventeen year old, Rot was tried as an adult and was charged with a felony conviction. At the time, Rot only knew how to respond to situations with violence and aggression. Ultimately, Rot accepted his responsibility. He served 29 years in prison and has spent all of his adult life incarcerated. His partner at the time was pregnant with their daughter, Ashley. He dedicated himself to self-help programs to turn his life around, in hopes of reuniting with his family upon his release from prison. He participated in AA Alcohol Anonymous, anger management, substance abuse prevention, Buddhist meditation groups, alternative violence program (AVP), criminal and gang Anonymous (CGA), center for counsel, PACA - Prisoners Against Child Abuse, New Life Canine Dog Program and so much more. All of these programs helped him address factors that led to his incarceration. As a reflection of his growth, Rot was granted parole by the CA State Parole Board in February 2020. However, instead of coming home to his family on his release date, he was immediately transferred to an immigrant prison at the Adelanto detention center. This was all due to the conviction he committed at 16 years old. With Rot’s medical history and conditions, he is at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Rot is a cancer survivor, who is living with chronic respiratory conditions and Hepatitis B. ICE facilities are incapable of practicing social distancing and providing the medical attention that Rot needs and deserves as a human being. His family and community are ready to support his parole now, by providing him COVID testing, housing, and transitional support. Rot is a father, grandfather, mentor, advocate, and active community member. As a father and grandfather, Rot strives to lead the younger generation in a different path that he was once in. As a community, we are urging the immigration judge to grant his bond release so that Rot is immediately released back to his family and community. Currently, he is at risk of being deported to Cambodia, a country he has not returned back to since he fled as a child. By deporting Rot, he would be left in an isolated country, where he does not speak the language, nor have access to the transitional resources, medical resources, and community support. He deserves a chance to be reunited with his daughter Ashley and his three grandchildren. Join the Sanctuary Long Beach Coalition in supporting Rot by signing and sharing the #ReleaseRot petition. Please see our Campaign Website for the social media toolkit.

On campuses across the country—Maryland, Ohio State, Clemson, LSU, Kansas State, and more—dozens of student-athletes are testing positive for coronavirus as they begin training for Fall sports. It's becoming clear that in order to protect students and staff, Fall sports must be postponed. More and more college conferences and schools are postponing all Fall sports, and the NCAA needs to provide leadership to protect their students during this pandemic, instead of letting money drive their decision. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) generated $867 million in 2019, but it can't put profits ahead of the safety of their student-athletes. The major conferences that make up the NCAA are making plans to get football players and other student-athletes back on the field to make sure money from its lucrative television and marketing deals isn't lost. This is dangerous to the players who will have to come in close contact with their teammates and opponents at a time when American professional sports are struggling to start-up. Two teams from Major League Soccer had to drop out due to COVID outbreaks among players and paid professional players are deciding to opt-out of NBA and MLB seasons because of concern for catching the coronavirus. The National Junior College Athletic Association is expected to move its Fall sports to the Spring this week, and last week, The Ivy League canceled Fall sports. Colleges like Morehouse have done the same, canceling Fall sports to protect their students. It's clear that postponing Fall sports is the only responsible decision to make. As the U.S. continues to grapple with a pandemic that doesn't respect city or state borders, the NCAA needs to do what's right and make sure college athletes aren't put at risk so that NCAA and their partners can make millions. SOURCES: "National Junior College Athletic Association expected to move football season to spring," July 12, 2020, ESPN espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29452386/national-junior-college-athletic-association-expected-move-football-season-spring "Ivy League Places All Sports on Hold Until January," July 8, 2020, The New York Times nytimes.com/2020/07/08/sports/ncaafootball/ivy-league-fall-sports-football-coronavirus.html

Facebook has repeatedly refused to hold Donald Trump to any sort of standard on its platform. And as a result -- the company has given him a green light to sow discord with advertisements that contain deceptive, false, or misleading information. Trump is once again taking advantage of Facebook’s leniency. This time, he’s spreading harmful disinformation about voting. Trump’s re-election campaign has purchased over 500 Facebook ads that spread disproven claims about voter fraud. Facebook exempts politicians' ads, including Trump's, from any fact-checking. Even though Facebook claims it bans political ads that discourage people from voting, the platform has done nothing to stop the Trump campaign from publishing its harmful ads. Facebook profits off of these deliberately misleading ads, and we need to leverage the federal government to change their business model and protect our democracy. We must demand real accountability. Add your name to urge key oversight bodies to investigate Facebook -- and stop the company from profiting off of vote-suppressing ads.

This modification now requires in-person class attendance to remain in the United States and continue in academic programs. These modifications are illogical as universities are providing online instruction in response to the medical reality of airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The Trump administration’s use of international students to force universities to provide in-person classes is cruel, reckless, and shortsighted. International students should not have to suffer the uncertainty of their educational future and residence within the U.S., due to a politically-motivated gambit centered upon economic goals that support President Trump’s re-election. International students enrich the learning experiences of fellow students with their intellect, the sharing of personal experiences, and the richness of varied viewpoints. They live and work in our communities helping local economies thrive, and they often return to their countries using the skills and knowledge they have gained to improve the lives of those around them. Through the relationships and professional networks they build, international students are a force for global diplomacy

In a moment of national reckoning amidst continuing state violence against Black, Brown, and Muslim communities at home and abroad, record job loss, and a re-surging coronavirus pandemic, Congress seems to think it’s time for business as usual. And they are about to pass a MASSIVE spending bill that would provide the Pentagon with a record breaking $740.5 BILLION. It’s clear that too many of our Senators simply don't get it. Luckily, our champions in Congress DO — will you add your name to join with them? Senators Sanders, Markey, and Warren, joined across the Capitol by progressive allies like Representatives Barbara Lee, Mark Pocan, and Pramila Jayapal in the House, are marking this moment with bold vision. Together, they are leading on a call for a 10% cut to the Pentagon budget — $74 BILLION — to create jobs, improve education, and make housing more affordable across the country. Sign your name now to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act calling for a 10 percent cut in the Pentagon budget!

This resolution would have Hamilton County to formally recognize racism as a public health crisis. Historically the health outcomes of minority populations, especially black people in the U.S. and locally in Hamilton County have been statistically lower than those of the white population. Black people die prematurely and are more susceptible to critical health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. These numbers are currently being increasingly exposed through data that is showing that black Americans are dying at disproportionately higher rates from the coronavirus than all other races. In addition to a lower life expectancy black Ohioans face higher rates of infant mortality where racism is a key driver in these cases. In Hamilton County the number of black babies who die before their first birthday is double compared to white babies. Furthermore, factors such as access to care, education level, income, race, and ethnicity, hinder black Ohioans from receiving the health care that they need, especially oral and dental health care. Other social determinants such as socioeconomic status, access to food, physical environment, education, and access to health care can further hinder positive health comes for black and minority populations in Hamilton County. This resolution would address these issues to ensure that the health of all residents is prioritized no matter their race. Here are a few ways racism in Hamilton County will be addressed through this resolution and improve the health outcomes for all people: ● The Hamilton County BOCC will support and collaborate with organizations that focus on black communities, in effort to eliminate health disparities. ● The Hamilton County Child Fatality Review and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Processes will investigate child and infant deaths that were affected by racism. ● The Hamilton County Oral Health Coalition will advocate the oral health needs of all citizens of Hamilton County. ● Hamilton County BOCC will prioritize health for all races, issuing Health and Equity in All policies approach to decision making. ● The Office of the Hamilton County Sheriff will dedicate Active Bystander training for its officers in order to prevent wrong doings on the job. ● The Hamilton County BOCC will collaborate with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to provide a curriculum for private, public and nonprofit entities to teach about the effect racism has on African-Americans and people of color. ● The Hamilton County BOCC encourages all community leaders and stakeholders to acknowledge racism as a public health crisis. To take action to advance equity in the community of Hamilton County. You can view the resolution at: https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3788196/File/Government/Board%20Of%20County%20Commissioners/Public%20Hearings/2020/BOCC.2020%20DECLARATION6.29PREFINAL%20(2).pdf

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman has been strong-armed out of the military after more than 21 years of service -- and right now, he needs to know that he has the American people’s support. Back in February, Trump fired Vindman from his role as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council -- and had Vindman escorted from the White House, along with his twin brother. Why? Because Vindman gave explosive testimony during the House’s impeachment inquiry -- and revealed shocking details about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president, where he tried to extort Ukraine into investigating the Bidens. But Trump’s vengeful crusade didn’t stop there. Even after leaving the White House, Vindman has reportedly been subject to a “campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation” spearheaded by the president. And the White House even allegedly sought to block Vindman's promotion to the rank of colonel. Now, this Purple Heart recipient is leaving the US Army altogether -- because he believes his future in the armed forces “will forever be limited” by political retaliation from Trump and his allies. Vindman is a patriot. He felt, in his words, a “sense of duty” to tell the truth -- and no matter what Trump or his Senate enablers do, nothing can change the important truth that Vindman shared. Right now, we need thousands of concerned Americans like you to send Lt. Col. Vindman your support -- and thank him for standing up for what’s right, even when it cost him his livelihood.

This is important because Black people have been on the back burner of this country for over 400 years even though this country was built on their backs. It’s important for all Americans to face this reality with a willingness, acceptance, and sincerity to make a change in their behavior. The US Senate has the stature and authority to set an example for the US and the world that they are united in this reality and become role models for everyone.

This decision puts students, teachers, and families at risk and will threaten the health, safety, and quality of education for the Texas education sector. We must push TEA to reverse this decision.

For years the university has ignored the voices of students from their satellite campuses when they continuously ask for more funding and financial support. For years the university has ignored the voices of their out-of-state students - even those who would qualify for significant financial assistance if they were Michigan residents - and international students. For years Ann Arbor students have been uninformed of the hardships of the Flint and Dearborn students, thus unintentionally enabling the regents to continue silencing their voices and disregarding their requests. Today and together we stand - the bodies of previous and current students merge into one in hopes of a better tomorrow as we face sickness and an economic recession. Leaders and best, let’s set an example for other universities in this country by listening to those who represent our purpose as an institution of higher learning - the students. Let us rise from hardships together, helping one another. We are all affected by COVID-19 in various manners, and can utilize our empathy and understanding for a better future with upcoming generations, our now leaders and best. These are monumental times, where we are asking for a better world that we can actually build and fulfill. Let’s work together and cultivate genuine inclusivity, so that all students can confidently and proudly say “Go Blue!” when it’s their time to graduate.