MY BROTHERS IN ARMS WENT TO WAR TO FURTHER THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM FOR AMERICANS AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD. I'M A VET.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, provides, in Article 19, that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Our ineffective, decades-old broken relationship with Cuba is a result of the Cold War, where Cuban government was responsible for allowing Russians to invade their government and place missiles there. Our government continues this relationship and embargo on Cuba with no purpose, denying Americans the right to travel to Cuba, and allowing for 11 million Cubans, our next-door-neighbors to be persecuted by their government. Cuba is the second worst offender of unjust imprisonments, behind China. China? China is the worst offender of unjust imprisonments and yet our very intimate trading partner. Why do we keep Cuba on the list of terrorist countries just for a decade-old grudge initiated by the Russian government? If we really wanted to prevent terrorism in (or from) Cuba, we would begin the process of fixing the relationship and end the embargo to truly impact and end the government regime in Cuba. Opening trade with Cuba would guarantee not only freedoms for Cubans, but would also benefit both countries' economies, as Cuba has resources like Cuban tobacco, sugar, and Cuban coffee, which are resources that we lack. We must denounce the government, not the people of Cuba. By taking these steps to normalize relations with Cuba, we would have more influence on the country, and could pressure the government to change, or encourage the people to begin their fight for freedom. But we must first open the door...

My name is Lester Spence. I am an Associate Professor of Political Science and Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1991, and my PhD from the University of Michigan in 2001. I worked hard for both of those degrees. But contrary to stories of “individual initiative,” I know my degrees didn’t come from my hard work alone. Student protest created the Comprehensive Studies Program that accepted me in 1987. Student protest created the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies where I took many of my classes, where I wrote the undergraduate paper in 1989 that led to my first book 22 years later. Student protest led to the hires of every single letter writer I had for grad school. Black students (and their allies) risked their academic careers. Risked their academic careers so years later people like me could find themselves and their purpose. Risked their careers to force the university to live up to its highest principles and values. When I saw that black students at Michigan were forced to protest again, forced to issue demands protestors issued almost thirty years ago, I couldn’t stand by silently. We know what they’re risking. We know what they’re fighting for. Our petition accomplishes two goals: First, the petition tells students they aren’t alone. They have received hate mail and threats. This in addition to the stress they’re already undergoing as students. Second, the university recently named Dr. Mark Schlissel (current Brown University provost) its next President. This petition tells incoming President Schlissel and other university officials that the issue of racial and economic equity are critical concerns they should not ignore. The University of Michigan, like all prestigious institutions, is sensitive to public pressure. Adding your name will turn up the heat on university leadership and further enable students organizing for a Michigan that truly represents the leaders and best. Tell the University of Michigan that it’s time they stand up and support student demands for more racial diversity and more economic support for poorer students.

Restore critical provisions of the civil rights legislation guaranteeing the right to vote.

My Congressman, Rep. "Doc" Hastings (R-WA), should be given one final chance to redeem himself and his miserable record before we vote him out of office. Surely even HE can see that anything less than full endorsement of protection under the law for all citizens to exercise their Constitutional right to vote is not honorable.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. During the civil rights era, many men gave their lives in order to ensure the right to vote for all Americans, regardless of their race or class. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Barrow should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill, that protects ALL Americans from voting suppression and losing their voice in this country!

It is a no-brainer.More people voting better goverment!

“The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation Congress has ever passed. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Right now, Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Smith should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill.”

We should be increasing, not decreasing the size of the electorate!

This is for people who are cruelty to animals, who trap the wolves in the wild of Idaho and Wyoming, who hurt wildlife all over America, in Africa, in India, Korea, China, Japan, and in all countries and islands of the world.

Ohio needs to be held accountable for making sure that all voters have an opportunity to vote. Already early voting is being restricted to normal working hours, making it more difficult for workers to vote.

In my work with a therapy dog program, I come into contact with many elderly people who are concerned about retaining voting rights that have been compromised for elderly people in many states. Last year's Supreme Court decision weakened critical provisions of it. Congress can restore those protections by passing this important bill. Rep. Shimkus should support this effort by cosponsoring and fighting for a strong bill to assure the right of all of our people to exercise this critical part of a democratic society.