Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Republicans like Lindsey Graham are attacking the diplomatic deal on Iran's nuclear program negotiated by President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry. It would make a big difference in getting political acceptance for the deal if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were to publicly come out and endorse the deal. There is an all hands on deck effort to support the President on this. Silence by Hillary is going to be perceived as a lack of support, not simply staying out of it. There is no neutral on some things. Sign our petition to Hillary urging her to publicly support the diplomatic deal with Iran.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

We only have two weeks until the budget deadline. We are counting on you as our representative to work across the aisle to pass a budget that 1.) ends the automatic cuts and prevents new cuts to education and vital services; 2.) invests in schools and jobs; and 3.) puts our economy on sound fiscal footing by closing $100 billion in corporate tax loopholes.

Update: August 26, 2015 There have been over 200 mass shootings since we initially posted this petition and horrific shooting events continue to take place across the country. Stronger gun laws won't entirely solve our gun death and injury epidemic, but lawmakers can be part of the solution. We need to keep the pressure on members of Congress to pass a stronger background check bill, among other important gun reforms. Background checks are an important way to stop prohibited people from purchasing guns. In the last 20 years, over 2 million prohibited people have been stopped from buying guns. Nevertheless, holes still exist via online sales, newspaper ads, at gun shows (in most states) and between individuals. Let's remind members of Congress that they have the power to reduce gun deaths and injuries. Send a message to your House and Senate members to finish the job.

BYP100 Chicago is a local Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100, a collective of 18-35 year old Black activists dedicated to achieving freedom and justice for all Black people. We are joining the efforts of Project Nia and Decarcerate Illinois and urging all Illinois residents to call on our State Legislature to oppose SB1342. SB1342 is a policy that criminalizes Black bodies as the source of gun violence in our communities. It does so at the expense of holding gun manufactures and sellers accountable. It will lead to more Black people incarcerated and not get at the root cause of violence within our communities, which is lack of social, economic and political resources.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

In retail, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the only two holidays that workers traditionally receive. Now that many stores are choosing to open on Thanksgiving, that break is being taken away, denying retail workers the rare opportunity to spend a holiday with their families. And most of these workers are only being paid minimum wage for their trouble. A holiday should not be a luxury for the rich – all workers deserve time to spend with loved ones.

I am State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), and I am introducing legislation to crack down on big box stores who are forcing their employees to work on Thanksgiving. These Thanksgiving Turkeys: WalMart, Macy's, Target, Staples and many other companies each year are forcing their workers to miss Thanksgiving with their families, often with no extra pay. Working Black Friday is bad enough! We need legislation to give workers the freedom to stay home with their families on Thanksgiving, or else give them triple pay if they have to come in to work. Sign this petition and join me in urging the Connecticut legislature and Governor Malloy to take action to protect Thanksgiving and defend real family values.

After not being admitted to a Mental Health facility due to the lack of an available bed, Gus Deeds went on to try and kill his father State Senator Creigh Deeds before taking his own life. Senator Deeds has said “I hope the justice we can get for my son is to force change in the delivery system for mental-health services.” Please stand with me, Senator Deeds and all of those that have been affected by mental illness in urging the Virginia State Legislature to act now. None of us are immune from the threat of mental illness.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.