The concept of a ban on fracking in Pennsylvania has been getting a lot of attention in recent weeks. But banning fracking in a place where it has been happening for 20 years is not the same thing as banning it where it has never happened. What must happen here and what will happen is a phase out of fracking. How rapid the phase out is will determine how smoothly the public, workers, and entire communities will be able to make the transition. We're calling on Governor Shapiro and our state legislators to start the rapid phase out now and urging them to take the steps we have listed.

This cause is essential because farmworkers are the backbone of the agricultural sector, directly contributing to food security and economic stability in the U.S. They labor in physically demanding and often dangerous environments, facing risks such as pesticide exposure, extreme heat, respiratory issues, and repetitive injuries. Despite their critical role, these workers are often excluded from healthcare benefits, which can have severe repercussions both for their health and for the communities they support​. Farmworkers, especially those on H-2A visas, face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare. These include limited insurance coverage, language barriers, and fears of immigration-related repercussions, often forcing them to seek care only in emergency situations. This lack of regular healthcare not only worsens their health outcomes but also strains local healthcare systems due to higher emergency room usage. Improving healthcare access for farmworkers is therefore a matter of social justice, public health, and economic prudence​. Expanding healthcare access for farmworkers not only benefits them personally but also supports healthier communities, more resilient healthcare systems, and a more stable food supply. Without this support, these workers’ health deteriorates, which could lead to labor shortages and higher costs in the agricultural sector, impacting food availability and prices across the country.

In 1989, five Black and Latino teenage boys—Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Antron McCray, Korey Wise, and Yusef Salaam—were wrongly convicted of attempted murder, rape, assault, and rioting due to racism in the New York City criminal legal system. Throughout their trial and incarceration, the teenagers pleaded not guilty and maintained their innocence.  It wasn't until 13 years later that the truth would come out, that these five children were unjustly convicted, their childhood robbed, and the course of their lives completely changed.  In 2002, a judge overturned the sentences for the falsely convicted men, often referred to as the Central Park Five but who now call themselves the Exonerated Five. But that didn't stop Trump during the presidential debate last month from spreading lies about these innocent men on a national stage.  67 million people tuned into the presidential debate. 67 million people heard Trump spread harmful misinformation about these men, who have suffered enough through years of incarceration for a crime they didn’t commit. Add your name to the petition to demand Trump be held accountable NOW! Back in 1989, Trump—then just a real estate developer who was trying to make his soon-to-be bankrupt casinos and airline take off—took out $85,000 in ads referencing the Central Park assault and stating “BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY.” The widely circulated ads and open letter Trump wrote inflamed the already-charged environment, negatively shaping public opinion about the five children. Instead of apologizing for his role in fanning the flames of fear, division, and racism over the past three decades, Trump has not only doubled down on his attacks against the Exonerated Five, but also intensified his dehumanizing and toxic rhetoric to attack Black and Latinx communities, immigrants, and marginalized communities across the country—putting their lives, freedoms, and futures in literal danger.  The criminal legal system failed Richardson, Santana, McCray, Wise, and Salaam back in 1989. Today, we are demanding that they uphold justice and hold Trump accountable for his lies and attacks against them.

This is a David vs. Goliath story with the City acting as a go between. We need YOUR help. Remember, the City works for US as well as the AutoCenter. There is common ground. But we can't get there when the City appears to be covering up its mistakes by sweeping this under the rug.  If inclined, join because you don't like looking at the sign and don't think it "beautifies" the city. It was a bait and switch to the public and city council (at that time). The design changes made out of public view (post approval process) were deceitful and dishonest. We expect more from our city representatives.  I am the one who "discovered" that the land was not owned by the sign owner. It took us a year to get a clear answer from the City as to who actually owned it (the City) and how much they were being paid to transfer public land into private hands (an application fee is all). IF the city signs it over to the sign owner, it lessens their leverage to initiate change. The change we are asking for. We already have plenty of night sky blocking light coming from the AutoCenter. This sign profits a few. I know I'd be fuming if I bought a $1.3 million house up on the hill and had to look at this! Oh wait, that happened to me in my little Craftsman home. I see this thing from my bedroom window!  As for the sign owner, well... they have their own agenda and are probably happy with the current outcome. Might explain why in the four years we've been asking, the owner NEVER agreed to meet with us! 

The Justice Department’s election crimes manual states that “Paying voters for registering to vote, or for voting, in elections in which a federal candidate is on the ballot” is basis for federal prosecution. And as if giving away $1 million a day weren’t enough, Musk is also offering $100 to registered voters in Pennsylvania who sign his pro-Trump PAC petition, and he had previously offered $47 to any voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina who referred their friends to the petition. Let’s be clear: Elon Musk is using his billionaire status to manipulate this election in favor of Trump. This is a clear violation of election laws, and it is a federal crime. In 2017, Donald Trump and Republicans passed a law that would give the ultra wealthy a $2.3 TRILLION tax break. Now, America’s 748 billionaires are worth a collective $5 TRILLION, up 77% in just seven years. Make no mistake about it: Elon Musk knows that if Donald Trump wins, he and his billionaire buddies will continue to get richer at the expense of workers, with no accountability. This is why he has gone all in on Trump, attending Trump rallies, and even starting a pro-Trump Super PAC, a political action committee that can raise an unlimited amount of money with no restrictions on who donates. Trump himself has publicly shared that he would offer Musk a Cabinet position, and Elon’s already made it clear that he would accept and says he “can’t wait” to work for a Trump White House. Jacobin reports that if Trump wins and Elon Musk gets appointed to a Cabinet position, he “could reap one of the largest personalized tax breaks in American history.” Elon Musk is stopping at nothing to tip the scales in favor of Trump. He must be investigated for attempting to use his wealth to bribe voters and buy votes in swing states NOW!  Will you sign the petition and then send it to three friends to spread the word? 

A prime example of this "sanewashing"—attempting to downplay a person or idea’s radicality to make it more palatable to the general public—from media outlets as it relates to Trump: His Pennsylvania rally from just a few weeks ago.  Donald Trump went on a profane, nonsensical rant about Vice President Kamala Harris at a Pennsylvania rally. But this isn't the first time that he's gone on unhinged rampages on the 2024 campaign trail. Another prime example is Donald Trump falsely calling himself the "Father of IVF." He consistently still espouses the "Big Lie" that the election was stolen, and calling January 6 "A Day of Love." None of this is normal, and no one, especially reporters, should be treating this behavior like it is.  Reporting isn't just reporting the facts and quotes, there's a need for reporters to be authentic and truth-tellers in a world of disinformation and misinformation. When Biden was in the race, articles slammed him over and over for his debate performance, calling in to question his mental health, his age, and whether or not he's fit to be president at all.  And whether or not you agree, the parity between the reports on Biden's physical health from one debate and Trump's frequently nonsensical remarks in interviews and at his rallies is simply not equal and on par. 

Earlier this year, Pittsburgh Public Schools engaged a consultant from Boston to create a consolidation plan which controversially proposes the closure of 14 schools, including the iconic Friendship School. This plan leaves the treasured school and community space permanently shuttered, displacing students and potentially leading to blight and decline in our neighborhood. Why the Friendship Montessori School Matters: The Friendship School, which sits in the heart of the Friendship neighborhood, is currently home to the PPS Montessori PreK-5 program; a thriving, vibrant school community. Built in 1899, the school is an architectural gem and designated historic landmark. The building, designed for quality education, is filled with functional beauty and charm that makes it an ideal Montessori learning environment. Many of the students walk and bike to school, but families come from across the district to be a part of the highly sought-after Friendship Montessori school community. Moreover, the school grounds are a vital gathering place, utilized by residents, sports teams, community groups, churches, and more. The beloved play park, built by Friendship Community Group, serves as a public amenity and a testament to the strong community involvement that surrounds the school. The Case for Preservation: While we acknowledge that maintaining a historic building poses challenges, we firmly believe that the Friendship School is worth the investment. Closing this school would not only displace a tight knit family of students but also deprive the community of a vital resource. Instead of viewing it as an expense to cut, let’s see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to maintain the vitality of our district and our community. We urge Pittsburgh Public Schools to explore grant opportunities and engage with potential funders to secure the necessary resources for renovation and accessibility upgrades. The Friendship School can meet the standards for a healthy, equitable school environment while continuing to serve as a cherished community space. Through our network of architects, engineers, attorneys and grant writers, the Friendship Community Group is committed to assisting PPS in any way necessary to achieve this goal.  Join Us in Saving Friendship School! The Friendship School is not just a school building; it is the beating heart of our neighborhood. Sign this petition to demand that the school board abandon the plan to close the Friendship School and commit to investing in its future! Together, we can ensure that this iconic landmark continues to serve our community for generations to come.

Dozens of artists have told Trump to stop playing their music at his campaign events—but it's clear his campaign doesn't respect their wishes. As fans and listeners, we need record labels to tell Trump that no one wants his playlist and to take away the aux cord. Leonard Cohen's estate issued a cease and desist when Rufus Wainwright's recording of "Hallelujah" was played at Trump's town hall, and Wainwright himself called it "the height of blasphemy." Irish singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O'Connor was also included on Trump's playlist, despite her estate's asking the campaign months ago to quit using her music.  And "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses played even after lead vocalist Axl Rose requested the band’s songs not be associated with Trump's campaign events back in 2018. Still, Trump insisted on playing their music during his bizarre rally in Pennsylvania. And this is not an isolated incident; it is an ongoing pattern over multiple campaign cycles.  Major record labels like Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Group have previously issued statements on behalf of their artists against Trump's use of their music. But we need more to come forward—and for all of them to continue using their power and leverage to end these disrespectful playlists. Trump's refusal to respect musicians is unacceptable. Sign our petition and tell major record labels across the country to STOP Trump from using artists' work against their wishes.

Dozens of artists have told Trump to stop playing their music at his campaign events—but it’s clear his campaign doesn’t respect their wishes. As fans and listeners, it's time to tell Trump that no one wants his playlist and we’re taking away the aux cord.  Leonard Cohen’s estate issued a cease and desist when Rufus Wainwright’s recording of Hallelujah was played at Trump’s town hall, and Wainwright himself called it “the height of blasphemy.” Irish singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O’Connor was also included on Trump’s playlist, despite her estate's asking the campaign months ago to quit using her music.  And “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses played even after lead vocalist Axl Rose requested the band’s songs not be associated with Trump’s campaign events back in 2018. Still, Trump insisted on playing their music during his bizarre rally in Pennsylvania. And this is not an isolated incident; it is an ongoing pattern over multiple campaign cycles.  Trump’s refusal to respect musicians is unacceptable. Will you sign our petition demanding that the Trump campaign immediately stop using songs for campaign events without artists’ permission? 

Disaster relief and weather forecasting shouldn't be partisan issues. Politicizing disaster response and spreading lies about FEMA's role undermines public trust in a vital federal agency–and this disinformation can be life-threatening during natural disasters.  Republicans like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have spread fringe disinformation accusing the government and Democrats of controlling the weather, making it difficult–and even dangerous–for meteorologists to deliver lifesaving information ahead of climate disasters. Meteorologists say that over the last few months, climate conspiracy theories and threatening messages have been flooding their inboxes. Instead of being able to focus solely on delivering lifesaving weather forecasts ahead of natural disasters, meteorologists now also have to debunk GOP-proliferated conspiracy theories about the government controlling the weather, and are even receiving death threats for doing their job. FEMA workers have also been targeted by right-wing harassment and abuse. In Hurricane Helene's aftermath, Donald Trump falsely accused FEMA of stealing donations and diverting disaster aid to migrants. Threats of truckloads of militia members "hunting FEMA" forced FEMA and U.S. Forest Service workers to pause their lifesaving recovery efforts to relocate workers out of fear for their safety. Survivors of natural disasters who urgently need assistance are refusing FEMA's help because of this disinformation.  GOP-led disinformation campaigns against our disaster relief workers and meteorologists are threatening public safety and undermining public trust in our lifesaving institutions. In times of crisis, our elected officials should be working to deliver aid and recovery–not spreading conspiracy theories on social media. Politicizing disaster response efforts for political points at the expense of real people who are suffering after natural disasters is unacceptable. Add your name to the petition to demand the GOP stop their life-threatening disinformation campaign and put people first! Photo credit: Salon / Getty Images Sources: 1. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/14/us/meteorologists-threats-conspiracy-theories-hurricanes.html 2. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hurricane-milton-misinformation-meteorlogist-death-threats-1235130352/ 3. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/06/us/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-misinformation.html  4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/10/13/federal-officials-nc-temporarily-relocated-amid-report-armed-militia-email-shows/

For too long, the voices of Indigenous people have been pushed to the margins of history books and distorted into harmful stereotypes. This book finally allows history to be told to our children and families across the Country with balance and perspective that can only come from the very people who derive from it. History should never be censored and certainly never reclassified as fiction. When we understand our past and can tell it with a fair and open mind, we become more compassionate and free to move forward in a better way. 

Signing this petition is crucial because it amplifies our collective voice against oppressive leadership and human rights violations. Each signature demonstrates a commitment to accountability and transparency, urging the conference organizers to reconsider Macky Sall's participation. Your support not only raises awareness about the challenges facing Senegal but also reinforces the importance of upholding democratic values and human rights in Africa.