The Coast Redwood is an endangered species, and needs to be recognized as such, and allowed to regain its original range.

I am beseeching all fellow beings, please petition YOUTUBE to block cock fighting, dog fighting, horse tripping and other deliberate acts of cruelty using animals as unwitting entertainment, the more shocking and cruel, the more hits-the more hit, the more YOUTUBE benefits with advertising dollars; the advertisers do not realize that they are inadvertently supporting horrific cruelty.

Hospitals have a responsibility to the public to make sure that doctors are practicing good medicine, through the process of fair and unbiased peer review. However, Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte abused this process to discriminate against Dr. Ron Virmani, who is a U.S. citizen, because he was born in India. On September 1, 1995, they kicked him out of the hospital after a very secretive sham internal peer review, labeling 24 of his patient charts "problematic". An expert of North Carolina Medical Board stated that Dr. Virmani met the standard of care. Dr. Virmani lost his ob-gyn career and his professional standing. He and his family suffered tremendously for 16 long years and still continue to suffer.

Many high schools today start school in the 7 o'clock hour, a practice started several decades ago to save money by recycling school bus runs. Now considerable research confirms that these school start times are inconsistent with sleep needs of teenagers and young adults and are seriously undermining school performance as well as children's health and welfare. Because politics, money, and other logistical issues inevitably keep most school systems from changing start times, we need a national minimum start time for all public schools to make it easier for communities to do what's best for the safety, health, and learning of all children of every age when they set local schedules.

In Washington, DC, our nation's capital, we have no voting member of Congress, and our local taxes and laws are subject to the control of Congress. This violates every principle of democracy and it is un-American.

We are all watching in horror as our neighbors and loved ones are being disappeared from our communities, and our president and his international partners in tyranny gleefully brag about their impunity on live television. We are all wondering what we can do.  Senator Chris Van Hollen, the senator representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, has pledged to go to El Salvador himself to secure his constituent's release. While other Democrats in the Senate and House are issuing outraged statements and tweets, Sen. Van Hollen is physically taking action. He has set an example that every senator should follow if they value the rights of their constituents.  At least 238 people have been renditioned to El Salvador. 60 Minutes has reported that at least 75% of them have no criminal record whatsoever, in the United States or in their countries of origin. No information about their identities has been officially released so we don't know where each of the 238 were abducted from, which means any elected representative may have constituents currently locked away in CECOT.  Any Democrat elected official must stand up for the rights of their constituents and Sen. Van Hollen has shown them how: Go get them now!

Howard Community College is a pillar of Howard County and a key institution for students, parents, workers, families, and residents of Howard County, and the faculty who serve that institution are dedicated to serving that community as well. The full-time faculty at HCC are the people executing the mission of the college, providing high-quality education for our students, and creating community on campus, and they deserve recognition for their commitment to our community in the form of a strong union contract. Faculty have been in the process of negotiating with the college for close to a year and a half and have been met with stalling tactics, unpreparedness by the college, and disrespect from administrators. At the same time, the college is actively suppressing union speech on campus and working to intimidate faculty to prevent them from speaking out. This behavior is unacceptable and in direct opposition of what Maryland and Howard County Legislators intended when collective bargaining rights were given to faculty years ago. The signers of this petition demand that HCC cease their union-busting behavior and treat faculty with respect in order to rebuild the community and recenter the mission of the College.

1. Ensuring Equal Access to Voting The bill addresses a major barrier to voting: access to a valid ID. Many eligible voters, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness, struggle to afford the cost of obtaining a REAL ID or upgrading to a REAL ID Driver’s License. By upgrading their current forms of identification to REAL ID-compliant versions at no cost, this bill ensures that these groups can participate in elections without the financial burden of paying for an ID. 2. Promoting Voter Inclusivity Historically, certain populations have been marginalized in the electoral process due to lack of access to valid identification. This bill seeks to level the playing field by ensuring that individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, seniors, and disabled individuals can vote without being excluded due to inability to afford the cost of updating their identification. 3. Supporting Individuals with Disabilities People with disabilities often face additional obstacles in daily life, including barriers to obtaining and updating identification. This bill prioritizes their needs by ensuring they are not burdened with the cost of upgrading to a REAL ID or REAL ID Driver’s License making it easier for them to exercise their fundamental right to vote. 4. Addressing Homelessness Homeless individuals often lack the proper documentation and identification to vote. This bill removes the financial barrier, helping to integrate homeless individuals into the voting process, and giving them a voice in elections. 5. Reducing Voter Suppression Forcing people to pay for ID upgrades creates an unnecessary financial obstacle that disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups. This bill reduces voter suppression by eliminating the cost and ensuring everyone, regardless of their financial status, has equal access to participate in the democratic process. 6. Encouraging Civic Engagement By making the process of obtaining a REAL ID or REAL ID Driver’s License more accessible, this bill fosters greater civic engagement. When citizens are able to exercise their right to vote, they feel more empowered and connected to their communities and the democratic process. 7. Strengthening Democracy A democracy is only as strong as its ability to fairly represent all citizens. By ensuring that voting is accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable, this bill strengthens the democratic process and ensures a fuller, more inclusive representation of the nation's diverse population.

This is an issue of accessibility for disabled people. Sure, MOST people can use the stairs, but does that mean we should leave behind our elderly and disabled? They should have an accessible way to get where they need to go. Beyond this, it is important for the daily well-being of everybody who lives here. What if we have heavy items such as packages to carry up? What about the people who live on upper floors? What if we’re just tired after a long day of work? 

The Smithsonian is an invaluable part of American history and the conservation thereof. A recent executive order threatens to completely gut the Smithsonian and to further overturn true history in favor of biased, untruthful narratives. If the tampering in the Smithsonian continues we could lose thousands of historical artifacts as well as valuable documents and exhibits surrounding American history.

The Kentucky DOC posted a memo in prisons across the state yesterday stating that the Securus phone app would be removed no later than close of business that same day. They cited security reasons. This decision actually decreases security in Kentucky institutions and increases the potential for conflict amongst inmates. Inmates receive minimal, if any, mental health treatment or counseling in our prison system. Phone calls to loved ones are their lifeline and are essential. Prisons do not have the physical means to ensure inmates get phone calls from shared phones every day. The tablet phone app allowed an inmate to call without competing for resources. Research indicates that inmates who receive calls and visits from loved ones have better outcomes in prison and upon release. In addition, many cases of inmate abuse have been litigated in Kentucky over the last few years and limiting incarcerated individuals' ability to communicate with the outside world could keep such incidents from being brought to light.  Please sign this petition to restore the Securus phone app to inmate tablets and to have decisions regarding inmate communication policy be made public so that families are fully informed on changing DOC policies.

People should sign this petition because **skyrocketing power bills are pushing families to the brink**, making it harder to afford basic necessities like rent, food, and healthcare. Here’s why this issue matters and why their support is crucial:    **1. Unfairly High Costs**   Many households are paying **as much for electricity as they do for rent**, especially in low-income communities. This is unsustainable and unjust.    **2. Lack of Transparency & Accountability**   Utility companies continue to raise rates with **little explanation**, while customers have no choice but to pay or risk disconnection. We need oversight to ensure fair pricing.    **3. Protecting Vulnerable Communities**   Seniors on fixed incomes, low-income families, and hardworking individuals shouldn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.    **4. Demand for Government Action**   Our elected officials must step in to **investigate price hikes**, push for **rate caps**, and expand **relief programs** for struggling households.   **5. Strength in Numbers = Real Change**   When enough people sign, we can **demand action from lawmakers** and utility companies to lower costs and ensure energy remains affordable for all.   By signing this petition, people **join the fight for fairness, accountability, and relief from crushing power bills