Throughout the recent electoral redistricting process undertaken by the Montgomery County Redistricting Committee, the Derwood community repeatedly told the Redistricting Commission that it was vitally important that our community not be split across multiple districts. When the initial three maps were released on October 13th, we were pleased to note that two of the three maps kept Derwood intact and placed us in districts which shared many common issues with our community. This is important because it helps ensure equal representation of all communities within a district. We were optimistic that our concerns were being addressed and going forward our community would be fairly represented by its Councilmember. This optimism crashed to earth on October 20th when the Redistricting Commission approved a map which splits Derwood. A portion of Derwood, west of Shady Grove Road and north of Muncaster/Muncaster Mill, has been included in the Upcounty/Midcounty district. A district which shares a lot of commonalities with the Derwood community. The remainder of our community, however, has been appended to a district which includes Aspen Hill and Glenmont and extends to Wheaton and Forest Glen! One only needs to look at Google maps to see that this portion of Derwood is separated from the rest of the proposed Wheaton district by Rock Creek Regional Park, Lake Bernard Frank, and Lake Needwood and shares a lot of commonalities with the proposed Upcounty/Midcounty district while sharing little to none with the proposed Wheaton district. We have no idea whatsoever why this portion of Derwood has been included in the proposed Wheaton district except to increase the population of this proposed district which even with the inclusion of this portion of Derwood is undersized. If this proposed map is implemented, Derwood would reside in the forgotten periphery of this district. The Councilmember representing this proposed district will be more concerned with the majority, its interests will drive the agenda of the Councilmember, and Derwood will be marginalized. During the Redistricting Commission’s October 20th meeting Commissioner Stein, author of this map, stated that "We should not be drawing maps to advantage one part of the county and disadvantage another part of the county", however, Commissioner Stein has done just that to Derwood. This portion of Derwood is truly in another part of the county when compared to the remainder of the proposed Wheaton district. We should never seek to enfranchise one part of the county while disenfranchising another. For reference, the web site of the Redistricting Committee is here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/BCC/redistricting/index.html

We all deserve the basic right of being able to survive with our wage, of being able to afford to feed our families, pay the roof over our heads, and be able to eat, like every other working professional. We are professionals who should be compensated fairly.

Trump was banned by Facebook and Twitter for a reason. He is dangerous, and we have seen that his use of social media incited the deadly white supremacist-led insurrection on our Capitol on January 6, 2021. He also proved negligent in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, using lies to promote anti-vaccine and anti-mask sentiments. Apple should not give Trump a platform which will give further voice to his harmful ways. Apple must do the right thing immediately. As a longtime consumer of Apple products, I must say that my faith in your company is weakened knowing that you support this app currently. I can't imagine that Apple is OK with the negative association and public reception of Trump's nefarious ways. Since other tech companies have done the right thing and stopped him from spreading disinformation, Apple must follow suit. Do not be his outlet for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, misogyny, anti-vax, or any other form of hate. We are watching you, Apple.

We, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power Boston Branch, unequivocally denounce the executive order released by the Janey administration which essentially reauthorizes and gives a progressive veneer to the same disproven clean-sweep methods carried out under the previous administration. The order serves only to embolden the racist, sexist, ableist, and poor-hating Boston police department and Suffolk County sheriff to further their programs of harassment, rights violations, incarceration, and forced treatment. The notion that the woefully inadequate city shelter system is a valid alternative to the encampments ignores the fact that many unhoused neighbors have chosen to risk scorching heat, freezing cold, and unsanitary conditions simply to avoid that system. The increased police activity outlined in the order is in effect a declaration of war against people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs. State violence and neglect is the root of this public health emergency; its increase will run antithetically to its resolution. Further empowering police to forcibly detain people under the guise of sections is a gross misappropriation of power. Police are not medical professionals, and under no circumstances should be charged with making such decisions. Further, with the long history of people who use drugs meeting untimely ends under the "care" of law enforcement, or from fatal overdose after release, it is unconscionable to subject another single person to such a system. We recognize the intersection between the experience of houselessness, the consumption of substances, and the rising count of new HIV cases in the Commonwealth. We recognize that the same reactionary puritanical and paternalistic thought that stood between our Poz siblings and compassionate care in the 80s and 90s, is the same thought that keeps our shelters woefully inadequate and restrictive, and the same thought that stands between our siblings who use drugs and the services necessary to protect their health. We call on all organizations and individuals to join us in demanding public health solutions and social-supports instead of further violence, neglect, and criminalization! We issue the attached demands, and assure the powers that be that we will not be silent in the face of this crisis. We will ACT UP! We will FIGHT BACK!

We all deserve the basic right of being able to survive with our wage, of being able to afford to feed our families, pay the roof over our heads, and be able to eat, like every other working professional. We are professionals who should be compensated fairly.

The Boundary Waters Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota is America's most-visited Wilderness, a wildland refuge critical to people and the planet. Anishinaabe people (also known in this region as Chippewa or Ojibwe) have lived in the area for countless generations and have a deep relationship to these lands and waters. Indigenous people continue to harvest wild rice in the Boundary Waters region and maintain treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather. As sovereign nations, tribes play a central role in protecting the Boundary Waters and have called for its protection. This wild and beautiful place is threatened by proposed sulfide-ore copper mining, but we can protect this place if enough people take action. Visit www.SavetheBoundaryWaters.org to learn more.

Earlier this year, Democrats in Congress passed an unprecedented Child Tax Credit as a part of the American Recovery Package, which delivers direct payments to tens of millions of Americans every month. This benefit immediately produced historic results: According to one analysis, the August payment of the expanded Child Tax Credit lifted 3.5 million children out of poverty. The expanded Child Tax Credit is extremely popular among all Americans, is proving to be the single most significant measure to slash childhood poverty, and has benefitted tens of millions of middle- and working-class families—but unfortunately, it's expiring soon. That's why we must fight to make it permanent—and President Biden's Build Back Better legislation, which Congress is currently debating, does just that. Democrats and Republicans recognize the impact of this program—and right now Congress has the chance to make it permanent. New research from Columbia University shows that with a permanently expanded Child Tax Credit, American children would be healthier, learn more, and would be less likely to be neglected—and taxpayers would earn back 84 cents for every dollar invested. At a time when the rich are getting richer but working families are struggling to make ends meet, it’s time for Congress to take bold action. Sign the petition, and demand that Congress make the expanded Child Tax Credit permanent.

Small-dollar donors raised over $4 BILLION in 2020 to help Democrats win the presidency and control of Congress. Now we must use our POWER to pass the full $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act! Sign this Petition to Tell Congress: "Small-dollar donors have the power to re-elect members of Congress who support the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and un-elect those who don't!" It’s All About Re-Election, Re-Election, Re-Election! Nearly every policy decision a politician makes is motivated by the desire to win re-election. To pass the full $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act, small-dollar donors (who give less than $200) must remind Congress that we have the power to re-elect those who support the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and un-elect those who don't. By raising a record $4 BILLION in 2020, small-dollar donors have proven that we can raise billions of dollars to elect candidates into office. Now we must use our power to pass policies that benefit working and low-income families and hold politicians accountable to the needs of everyday Americans. Politicians change their behavior (and their votes) when they feel the risk of losing re-election! Sign this Petition to Tell Congress: "Small-dollar donors have the power to re-elect members of Congress who support the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and un-elect those who don't!" The Build Back Better Act will create at least 4 MILLION GOOD JOBS! The full $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act will create 4 MILLION GOOD JOBS through historic public investment in infrastructure, climate change, and care for the sick, elderly, and disabled. The Build Back Better Act also includes: Paid family and medical leave for all Universal pre-kindergarten Free tuition for two-year public community college Lowering prescription drug prices Expanding Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing Strengthing workers' rights to unionize Tax reforms that require the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share And more... Sign this Petition to Tell Congress: "Small-dollar donors have the power to re-elect members of Congress who support the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and un-elect those who don't!" Corporations and some Democrats threaten devastating CUTS to the Build Back Better Act! Corporations and wealthy interests, who oppose paying their fair share in taxes, have launched aggressive lobbying efforts to influence Congress to make devasting cuts to the Build Back Better Act that will greatly reduce this bill's impact to help Americans desperately in need if not kill this bill altogether While unified opposition from Republicans is expected, some DEMOCRATS are siding with corporations and wealthy interests to make drastic cuts or to the Build Back Better Act while millions of Americans endure unprecedented economic and health challenges. Sign this Petition to Tell Congress: "Small-dollar donors have the power to re-elect members of Congress who support the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and un-elect those who don't!"

Across the country school board members, teachers, school staff, and parents calling for COVID safety measures have been harassed, threatened, and in some instances even attacked. Fox News and other right-wing outlets amplify outrageous examples of adults screaming, threatening and harassing school board members with barely contained glee. And Republican leaders like former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley have refused to denounce the violence, even when directly asked. All eyes are on Virginia right now. Voters deserve to know where Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin stands. Will Youngkin side with the political operatives fanning the flames of conflict and violence in our communities, or will he denounce those funding chaos and harassment of our public servants? Dissent and protests are an important part of our democracy, but coordinated attacks, doxxing, and harassment of school board members – many of whom are parents and educators in our communities – have nothing to do with the first amendment. School board members around the United States have documented threats and intimidation. School board meetings have been shut down by violence. Educators have been harassed and attacked in the classroom by parents mad about district policies. And both parents and students who have spoken up for COVID-19 safety protocols have been aggressively shouted down and intimidated. None of this is acceptable. Glenn Youngkin wants to be taken seriously as a leader. Well, this is his opportunity. Is he going to stand with Sen. Josh Hawley and Chris Christie and ignore threats and violence? Or will he stand up and denounce the violent protests at school board meetings and tell the groups organizing them to stop?

A major oil spill recently oozed crude oil into the Pacific Ocean and damaged wildlife on beaches in Southern California. It's another terrible reminder of the damage done by fossil fuel extraction. From oil spills to drought, fires, hurricanes, and more, it's clear that fossil fuel infrastructure is too big a risk. If we want to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe, we need to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure as soon as possible. Scientists have made it incredibly clear: the worst impacts of climate catastrophe are just on the horizon. Pollution and wildfire smoke are causing asthma attacks in children. Across the globe, over 200 million people could be displaced by climate crises in the next thirty years. When the dangers of fossil fuel dependence are so obvious, there is no reason why President Biden should be allowing new fossil fuel projects to move forward.

The US is one of the world’s biggest tax havens, and certain states are even more permissive than the country as a whole. We already knew that the world's rich and powerful hide their fortunes where regulators and taxes can't find them. But the big Pandora Papers leak proved the United States is one of the preferred offshore tax havens for the global elite. South Dakota alone holds more than $360 billion in trusts used by the global elite to hold their money. It’s time to end tax loopholes in South Dakota and in the US as a whole.

It's been nearly 10 months since President Biden took office -- and Congress still hasn't acted to protect voting rights, even as Trump and his allies step up their attack on democracy. Trump's allies are busy seizing control of elections at the state and local level, gerrymandering Congressional districts in their favor, and threatening to undermine the next presidential election. But Senate Democrats have been unwilling to end or create an exception for the filibuster to pass the For the People Act and save our democracy. Congress isn't taking voting rights seriously enough. We need to send them a message right now that they must act to protect our democracy -- before it's too late.