• End sales of toy assault weapons at Target!
    Target’s weekly ad on the Sunday after Thanksgiving featured a Nerf gun called a “Fortnite AR-E blaster.”(1) This toy gun looks like an AR-15, the weapon of choice for mass shootings—including the school shootings at Margery Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, FL and Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. In these times of horrific gun violence, family-friendly Target should not be selling toys modeled on AR-15s or other assault-style weapons. The US now has mass shootings on a near-daily basis. Children routinely participate in active shooting drills at schools due to the threat of gun violence. Many have seen news reports from shootings, including images of children crying outside their schools while police address the aftermath of a school shooting. Some have been directly affected by gun violence. Imagine those children seeing toy guns at Target that look like the assault-style weapons that are regularly used in mass shootings, packaged in boxes with pictures of smiling children holding the guns. What kind of message does it send to children who fear or have suffered from gun violence to see these “toys” for sale? Imagine a child who comes across a real gun at home or while visiting a friend or relative, which happens with alarming frequency. (2) Will that child who has seen toy guns at Target think the gun is a toy, perhaps leading to an accidental shooting? Imagine a troubled teen who has considered using a gun to injure himself or others? Will seeing the toy guns at Target encourage him or make him think that a real gun is not harmful? Imagine a child playing with one of these toy guns in the yard or a park. Might the police or someone else mistake it for a real gun (especially if the orange tip has been removed) and shoot the child? (3) There may have been a time when most people didn’t think twice about toy guns. But now that mass shootings and school shootings have become routine, no responsible retailer should sell "toys" that look like the deadly assault-style weapons used in those shootings. Guns are not toys. Target holds itself out as a responsible corporation that helps communities. The Target website proclaims: “We’re putting the needs of people, communities and the planet at the heart of how we work today, to help build a better tomorrow.”(4) Target also says it wants “to help all families discover the joy of everyday life.”(5) Selling toy guns that look like assault weapons does not help communities or families; it hurts them. Sign this petition and tell Target: Stop selling toy guns that look like assault-style weapons. 1. https://weeklyad.target.com/promotions?code=Target-20191201&page=14. 2. A recent study estimated that 4.6 million children live in a home with a gun that is loaded and unlocked. Deborah Azrael, et al., “Firearm Storage in Gun-owning Households with Children: Results of a 2015 National Survey.” Journal of Urban Health (2018) 1-10. Approximately 40% of gun owners report that there is always a loaded gun within easy reach when they’re at home. Kim Parker, et al., “America’s Complex Relationship with Guns,” Pew Research Center (June 22, 2017) 9, http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/06/06151541/Guns-Report-FOR-WEBSITE-PDF-6-21.pdf. 3. Katy Steinmetz, “Toy Guns Create Deadly Problems for Police,” Time (Nov. 25, 2014), https://time.com/3603087/tamir-rice-shooting-toy-gun/. The night before Target ran its ad featuring the assault-style Nerf gun, an intoxicated man shot a child who was playing with a Nerf gun. Kashmira Gander, “Florida Man Drunk On Whiskey And Beer Shot Child Playing With Nerf Gun After Telling Him He Had A Real Gun, Police Say,” Newsweek (Dec. 3, 2019), https://www.newsweek.com/florida-man-drunk-whiskey-beer-shot-child-nerf-gun-real-gun-police-1475186. 4. https://corporate.target.com/about/. 5. https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility.
    848 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Ruth Borenstein
  • Fair housing regulations
    The average income of residents cant afford renting a place to live in this county. It is not fair that outsiders have the advantage over born and raised residents in living in this county. Not everyone can afford to buy a house.
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    Created by mitchell scott
  • Japan: Divest from TMT, Apologize to Ainu, Stop Violations on Okinawa
    Japan has historically disregarded and disrespected Native people of the Pacific. On 11/29/19, a group of concerned citizens came together in a show of Pacific solidarity to deliver a statement to the Consulate General of Japan. Restrictions were placed on the group. Only one person was allowed to enter the Consulate under the supervision of armed Federal agents to deliver a hard copy of the statement to an aid of the Consulate General. Please sign the Petition so we can insure that our requests are considered. Japan's investment in TMT is symptomatic of a long history of disregard and disrespect of it's own Native Ainu and Okinawan people. Even when we attempted to approach the Consulate with protocol, ceremony and respect, we were met with law enforcement. One participant in today's rally for solidarity and justice, shares her account of being told that representatives of the Consul General refused to accept her gift of lei: https://youtu.be/iAhfKFMmti8
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    Created by Mapu Ana
  • Bring Bakhodir Home!
    Bakhodir Madjitov, a Connecticut father of 3 young boys, had been living in the US for 11 years when ICE raided his home in the early morning hours of December 22, 2017. He’s been in custody ever since. His children are suffering – and we’re concerned that he may be deported soon. Bakhodir’s wife Madina was 39 weeks pregnant with a complicated pregnancy when ICE entered their home without a warrant 2 years ago. Bakhodir and Madina’s third child was born a week after ICE detained his father. Prior to being detained, Bakhodir supported his family as a home health aide working with a government issued ID. In the last 2 years, ICE has moved Bakhodir around the country in detention centers in Massachusetts, Alabama, New Jersey, and Louisiana. Madina and her lawyers are concerned that ICE might be planning to deport Bakhodir- even though he has an active case pending. Connecticut values families. We want Madina and Bakhodir and the boys together. Join us in telling ICE that Bakhodir should be home with his wife and sons!
    25,266 of 30,000 Signatures
    Created by Charla Nich Picture
  • End LA Homelessness in 2020
    A Nov. 10, 2019 Los Angeles Times op-ed on the idea of a homeless "village" that would create temporary, emergency shelter for all of the City's homeless received a huge, positive response. Clearly, Angelenos are eager for a big, bold and immediate solution to the homelessness that destroys lives and ruins our city.
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    Created by Rob Eshman
  • Fire LeeAnne Locken because she is a racist and showing her true colors on national television
    It is important because it is not ok to act this way and represent your hateful side (racist side) on a show that is supposed to be fun, not cruel.
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    Created by Jaimie Mutza Picture
  • Rename Ronkonkoma Middle School (RMS) in honor of John S. Maloney
    John S. Maloney served as Commander in the U.S. Navy, and would later serve as Superintendent of the Connetquot School District for 17 years. I believe he is the longest serving superintendent in district history. He spent 37 years in education, starting as a history teacher in 1960 and later served as dean, assistant principal and principal of Peconic Street School, now called RMS. He was teaching at Sycamore Avenue School by 1961, while Connetquot HS was being built just down the road. John S. Maloney passed away in June of 2019 at the age of 85. John was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend to thousands who were fortunate to work with, and know, him. I am asking the BOE to put this question to the community at the time of the annual budget. Thank you for your consideration.
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    Created by Joseph Maniaci
  • Reinstate The 3 GTMF Musicians Terminated Without Cause
    Why is it important to sign? It's important because this egregious behavior implies that any one of us can be silenced and/or terminated if management doesn't like what it hears or sees. Today it was these three colleagues and elected representatives, and tomorrow it could be YOU! This blatant act by management goes against Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act which pertains to "protected activities" including advocacy on behalf of a group of colleagues. We will not be silenced! Make your voice heard, and sign the petition TODAY! Let's show our solidarity!
    1,896 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by GTMF Players' Committee
  • Variance Request: Allow privacy fence for side yard to be 6 feet
    Last summer, I realized it was time to replace the 6-foot wood privacy fence (which ran along the back of my yard) and the 4-foot wire fence (that ran along the front and sides). I discussed the replacement with my neighbors to see if they had a preference on height & type and they stated they would prefer a 6-foot wood/vinyl fence as they would like to have the privacy for their backyards. Since there were several other neighbors with this same setup, and I had a couple instances in which dogs have jumped from my yard into my neighbors, I decided to contact Lowe's to have them replace all the fencing. I signed a contract with them that stated the hired installer would pull the necessary permits so the fence was installed in September. Unfortunately, I did not receive a ticket for failure to pull a permit until after the fence was already installed, but was sure to submit the application as soon as I could. Itt took another month or so before I learned (by receiving another ticket) that the application was declined as it violated Fence Ordinace Section 1270.08(c)(1).D.2, which states fences located in a required or unrequired side yard shall not exceed 48 inches in height. While I understand there must have been valid reasons for that ordinance being put into place, I don't see how it would apply in this case. Allowing a 6-foot privacy fence along the side of our yards would keep dogs safely contained in my yard and give my neighbors' peace of mind as well as the privacy they so richly deserve. Please sign this petition if you are in favor of this variance request to allow a 6-foot privacy fence along the sides of my yard.
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    Created by Alice Catron
  • Save the People of Iran
    Iran has become a hostile country for over 80 million people. Iranians are being treated unjustly. They are being beaten, tortured, arrested and killed by government officials for protesting and fighting for their human rights.
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    Created by Elin Sarkissian
  • USDA 1.5% Total THC for Hemp
    It is not a failure or harm to our mass population for hemp to have a higher Total THC threshold. Farmers should not lose their life’s work because they planted great genetics, farmed the crop with best practices, harvested and cured in optimum conditions and produced a phenomenal product. Farmers should not be subject to disposal and complete loss. It is unconscionable. Let’s make a voice and make it strong. Do you agree to increase the definition from 0.3% Total THC to 1.5% Total THC?
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    Created by Sarah Bennett
  • Fostering Counts As Community Service for OCPS
    This is important becauseI find it deeply saddening that OCPS will refuse and turn away students who put so much effort into helping not only the animals but the shelter, the staff, each other, and helping people find their furry friends.
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    Created by Samantha Stumper