There is no way to keep students, teachers, staff, bus drivers and cafeteria workers safe if they report to school buildings. Until there is 100% assurance that children will not bring COVID-19 home from school, no school buildings should reopen in Florida. Remote instruction is feasible, and in cases where parents cannot handle instruction a tutoring program should be established to ensure that kids can keep learning. This can be accomplished state-wide or district by district. If families do not have computers or internet access, these resources should be provided by the Florida Department of Education, by federal funding, or by community foundations. Reevaluate this position in January 2021 and/or after an effective COVID-19 vaccine has been developed and tested and is widely available.

The Platform Recommendations can be found here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e29d73ca02c794ae43fc4e6/t/5edddb7fa357687217d1f8c3/1591597952565/DNC+Climate+Council+Recommendations++2020+06+08+Web+Final.pdf Climate change is an issue that affects broad coalitions of young people in the United States. The lasting effects of climate change will devastate the future economic prospects of young people, and in particular young people of color and native young people. With this in mind, we believe the recommendations issued by the DNC Council on the Environment & Climate Crisis are the most pragmatic solutions available. We implore the rest of our members on the YDA National Committee to call for a meeting to hold a vote, and ultimately vote in support of, the Young Democrats of America endorsing the DNC Climate Council's Recommendations for Energy and Climate Policy in the 2020 DNC Platform.

This is essential to maintain the health of our people and our economy during the corona virus pandemic.

Days after the WNBA announced it would take extraordinary steps to amplify the movement for Black Lives, U.S. Senator and co-owner of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream Kelly Loeffler, declared, "I adamantly oppose the Black Lives Matter political movement" and that we should "remove politics from sports." The WNBA announced that it would spotlight Breonna Taylor's name on jersey's, "Say Her Name" on warm-ups, and "Black Lives Matter" on its basketball courts. Sen. Loeffler, a major supporter of President Trump, criticized the league for taking a stand and said they should put an "American flag on every jersey" as a "common-sense" solution. Former and current WNBA stars Sheryl Swoopes, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Natasha Cloud, Alysha Clark, and Sue Bird have all called for Sen. Loeffler's removal as an owner from the league. Basketball icon Sheryl Swoopes tweeted, "WNBA MUST do better." She's absolutely right. We need to stand with the WNBA in their bold support of the Black Lives Matter movement, especially when a U.S. Senator is trying to intimidate the women's basketball league to fall in line with President Trump's racist view of BLM. SOURCE: "Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler critical of WNBA's Black Lives Matter initiative," ESPN, July 7, 2020 https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29424379/dream-co-owner-kelly-loeffler-critical-wnba-black-lives-matter-initiative

Maria Pereira “Still” Must Go was created by the people of Bridgeport Connecticut along with the support of Bridgeport Public Schools, parents, and community leaders because of Maria Pereira’s continuously belligerent behavior directed towards colleagues, parents, BOE members and anyone not in agreement with her bullying tactics. She is in violation of the Robert's Rules of Law in her disruptive behaviors that consist of shouting, name-calling, intimidation, and unprofessional language. Her history of violence, her criminal record, and threats of lawsuits towards the mayor and anyone who doesn't agree with her has the 21,000 children of Bridgeport held hostage. Her lack of integrity and character are poor examples in which anyone in her seat should be held to a higher standard. Her history of voting to endanger the welfare of Bridgeport students and community makes her unfit to be a councilwoman any longer. Her inability to work civilly with the current community has caused boycotting. Furthermore, her insensitive comments have caused racial tensions in our city to flare at an alarming rate. Her moral turpitude insinuating that people of color holding political offices cannot bring in good financial standing to our city is outright egregious and will not be tolerated. Maria Pereira must go; this is not a request but rather a demand! We the community, parents, and children of Bridgeport Public Schools want her resignation!

It’s been 10 months and no one has been charged. The driver has been identified and still no charges. Aryues Townsend was 24 years old and deserves justice. He was proud to be an organ donor and was able to save 7 lives. He loved and lived life to fullest! He was well loved by so many. His family and friends deserve closure. We want justice for Aryues Townsend!

I am an essential worker at a grocery store. Unlike those who have been able to work from home or have been furloughed and collect an extra $600 in unemployment, I have been showing up to work throughout the coronavirus pandemic. I provide an essential service to my community and, as such, should be paid accordingly, especially when I am putting my life at risk each and everyday I work. The risks involved in dealing with large groups of people indoors during a pandemic are high. Also, most essential workers have to travel long distances, many by public transportation, adding to their risk of becoming ill from COVID-19. Many of my fellow coworkers have gotten ill from COVID-19; some have been sick for months. At this time we don't know what long-lasting effects result from COVID-19, although evidence is starting to show even asymptomatic cases can cause lung damage. Aside from the trauma of working during the coronavirus pandemic, many grocery store workers rely on working several jobs at once and many of these jobs in the service industry are no longer available. Most of us live paycheck-to-paycheck, and have no real financial stability when we need it the most. The added stress and anxiety of trying to make ends meet at a time when our hours are being cut and other sources of income are not available takes a huge toll on us mentally and physically. Grocery store workers, truck drivers, doctors, and nurses have been the lifeline for communities, especially during this pandemic. We certainly appreciate all the thanks we have received, but it is time to show real appreciation by providing us with retroactive hazard pay. In this way, we can continue to serve the community knowing we are supported financially during this pandemic. I call on the US Congress to add retroactive hazard pay for essential workers into the new stimulus bill.

Right now, the United States is sending people in uniform to fight and die in wars that the majority of current members of Congress have never even voted on. Now, because of the Trump administration’s sheer recklessness, utter incompetence, and flagrant disregard for life these troops been at greater risk than even we imagined — recent reports reveal that for MONTHS the Donald Trump has known that Putin's government has been offering bounties to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan…and has apparently done nothing. Such inaction is unconscionable. And a critical reminder of the long-overdue need to END the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Let’s make this the tipping point to end endless war. Add your name to demand Congress repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force NOW.

Nearly five months into this pandemic, nurses and other frontline workers STILL do not have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need. Over 120 registered nurses have now died from COVID-19 as a result. You have an opportunity and an obligation to urgently address this crisis. A recent survey of 23,000 nurses in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four territories found that a whopping 87 percent of respondents reported having to reuse a single-use disposable respirator or mask with a COVID-19 patient. This is very unsafe and puts nurses at greater risk of contracting the virus. It is the responsibility of health care employers to provide safe workplaces, including proper PPE, to all their staff. The HEROES Act legislation passed by the House of Representatives includes key provisions that would finally get lifesaving PPE to frontline workers. The bill mandates an OSHA emergency temporary standard on infectious diseases to protect frontline workers and it establishes a transparent, efficient, and effective system to manage the medical supply chain and to ensure that the Defense Production Act is fully utilized to increase PPE production. Both of these measures will save the lives of our nurses across the country, and must be included in the Senate legislation.

Camping should be welcoming for everyone. This flag is a symbol of white supremacy and has no place in the beautiful parks of our great state.

Millions of people are out of work or have had their hours cut due to the pandemic. As cases rise in nearly half of the states, more are expected to lose their source of income as bars and restaurants are ordered to close. For those receiving unemployment, many will not be able to make ends meet without the federal $600. The people are at risk of eviction and hunger if the government does not take action immediately. People should not have to choose between working in unsafe conditions or being homeless. There is no vaccine available to us and there is no cure. Ensuring the needs of the people during this crisis should be the government’s number one priority.

We are a volunteer group of Kailua renters and homeowners working in association with Faith Action for Community Equity. We believe housing is a human right, and we are interested in ensuring affordable rentals for our low-income families, seniors and disabled on fixed incomes in Kailua. We believe Kawainui Affordable Rental Project to be a thoughtful and well-designed project. No affordable rentals have been built in Kailua in over 30 years. It is time to work together to provide housing for all of those who make up the fabric of our community. Many people throughout Kailua -- and beyond – have become passionately opposed to the Kawainui project. Most of this opposition is based on misinformation and disinformation. They have become very vocal and organized. We need to get accurate information out into the community. Kawainui Affordable Rentals would consist of 73 units located at the corner of Kawainui St. and Oneawa St., the main street through the commercial district of Kailua. Ninety-five percent of the units would be for local families earning less than $72,300 per year, with monthly rents starting at $521 for 1-bedroom units and $598 for 2-bedroom units, depending on household income. We need your help to: • Counteract Myths with Facts; • Contact family, friends and neighbors in Kailua to support this Affordable Rental Project; • Ask people to email or call their City Council representatives before August 2 when the Zoning Committee meets to recommend this project to the full Council for a vote.