The UNRWA is one of the largest U.N programs with over 30,000 staff. The U.S. rashly halted funding in January after Israel officials accused a handful of UNRWA staff members of involvement with Hamas and the attacks on October 7, 2023. Despite the lack of evidence, UNRWA swiftly launched an independent investigation and increased standards for transparency and accountability. Still, dozens of countries followed the U.S. in pausing aid, pushing UNRWA to a breaking point and exacerbating the starvation and dehydration crisis facing innocent civilians. In March, Sweden and Canada announced they would be resuming funding after reviewing the interim report of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and observing the immediate measures taken by the UNRWA to strengthen transparency and accountability. Hundreds of thousands of people in Palestinian are on the brink of famine. The U.S. provides more funding to the UNRWA than any other country. Without assistance, the UNRWA may not be able to keep up humanitarian efforts in the region and many more innocent people will die from hunger—disproportionately affecting women and children in Gaza. Cutting off access to food and water is inhumane and violates international humanitarian law. As we continue to push for a ceasefire, we must make sure that civilians receive aid IMMEDIATELY to stop starvation and dehydration, and that means funding the UNRWA so they can continue to provide necessary services. PHOTO: AP Photo/Nasser Nasser

In 2022, progressive Democrat Andy Levin was ousted from his House seat, largely because of a whopping $4 million ad spend from AIPAC—all money spent directly attacking him and his campaign—partially because of his criticism of the actions of the Israeli government in the past. Let’s be clear that that’s the only line AIPAC will draw when it comes to where their support ends. The committee will happily support prominent pro-insurrectionists and election deniers who believe that Donald Trump is still the rightful President of the United States. And 4 million dollars was chump change compared to what they’re trying to spend this cycle to get rid of some of our most progressive members of Congress. AIPAC is expected to spend $100 MILLION—much of which comes from Trump donors—across its political entities in 2024, taking aim at candidates who have held the Israel government accountable for flouting international law and not prioritizing the humanitarian concerns of those in Gaza. AIPAC’s biggest targets are members of the Squad, progressive House members like Cori Bush, Pramila Jayapal, Jamaal Bowman, Ayanna Pressley, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib who have been openly pressuring the administration to call for a lasting, permanent ceasefire. It doesn’t stop with our most progressive champions and the Squad either, AIPAC’s ambitions are broader. United Democracy Project, the group’s super PAC, is monitoring 15 to 20 House races and polling in many of those districts, and it will likely continue to support anti-democratic, election-denying extremists again. This influx of money to oppose the strongest progressives in Congress and to support election deniers hurts our democracy! We have to call out and work to stop the large influence of corporate dark money within politics that actively discourages the participation of grassroots donors and suppresses the impact of moving our country forward on progressive issues. And in this moment we have to continue to support members of Congress who promote and support a ceasefire, and work to get us closer to a solution that protects Israeli and Palestinian civilians and stops endless, devastating violence. Sign the petition if you agree!

Please help us protect a prized element of our quality of life and wellness on the SW side of Massillon. Massillon residents deserve peace and quiet!! Quality of life, and public health should be in the forefront of decision making when the city of Massillon is considering bringing new business to Massillon! In response, BitDeer’s only noise mitigation for the loud bit mining operations (70 plus decibels - 24/7, 7 days a week) is a simple palleted wooden fence, painted green. Bitdeer is not concerned about noise pollution and harm to local residents, in a very unregulated industry such as bitcoin mining. Listen to Massillon LIVE’s broadcast from Treemont Coffee today, March 9, 2024, about this issue: https://fb.watch/qICz6VELtm/?mibextid=w8EBqM

Access to schools, work and emergency services

Please join me in petitioning the City of Washington to take action and implement flood prevention on Lynwood Drive. I fear the next storm. I fear for my home. I fear for my neighbors. But most of all, I fear for our health and the health of our children. This type of water damage can create devastating health problems that can worsen over time.

Good samaritans should not be punished.

The problem is that wild animals in circuses are not getting treated well. An example, according to Reuters, is in 2011 the U.S. Department of Agriculture fined the Ringling Bros—one of the biggest circuses in the country—for mistreating the wild animals in their circus acts. It was the biggest fine ever under the Animal Welfare Act (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usda-ringling-idUSTRE7AS2AG20111129/). And this is just one example of many. According to PETA, circus people make animals do tricks by hurting them with: whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bull hooks and other hurtful tools (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usda-ringling-idUSTRE7AS2AG20111129/). Also, according to PETA, when circuses people are traveling with wild animals, they sometimes don’t get enough food or water, they also are squeezed into small spaces and chained. They also rarely get their cages cleaned so they can get really sick. There are also lots of other circus tricks that don’t include animals. People watching circus tricks are still amazed without animals. According to Animal Legal and Historical Center, the biggest threat to wild animals in a circus is being mistreated by the people who work there (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usda-ringling-idUSTRE7AS2AG20111129/). There are six states that have banned wild animals in circuses. They are: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2022/rpt/pdf/2022-R-0026.pdf). Why is Washington not one of the states that has banned wild animals in circuses? We are asking your support to ban wild animals in circuses in Washington State.

This needs to happen because there is an imminent risk of homelessness for many community members who have been affected and displaced by the flood. With the current hotel voucher program scheduled to end on March 25th, these individuals and families are at risk of losing their temporary shelter and being left without a place to stay. Extending the program for another 90 days will provide crucial support during this challenging time, offering a lifeline to those who are most vulnerable. By ensuring that people have a safe and stable living environment, we can help prevent further hardship and provide a foundation for recovery and rebuilding efforts.

It’s is important for the safety and security of the students well being

no one wants to live in a house that people were killed in. a memorial park would be a beautiful way to honor them

LGBTQ+ rights are under threat, with more than 300 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in the first few months of 2024. If passed, it’s likely that many of these laws will end up in our federal court system. That’s why—to ensure fair and informed decisions—we need a diversity of perspectives and experience on the bench. President Biden’s nominations of Judges Nicole Berner and Melissa DuBose are a step in the right direction. Confirming these openly LGBTQ+ judges to lifetime appointments would bring much-needed LGBTQ+ representation to our federal judiciary. There’s only one barrier: They need approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Currently, only 2% of federal judges openly identify as LGBTQ+. It’s crucial during a time of so much hatred against LGBTQ+ people that our federal decision-makers understand the struggles, needs, and perspectives of the LGBTQ+ community. Call on the Senate Judiciary Committee to promptly confirm Judges Berner and DuBose—and then urge President Biden to keep going and nominate more LGBTQ+ federal judges in order to break historic records! Let's ensure our courts reflect the diversity of our nation.

Please come and voice your concerns and opinions. YOUR neighborhood needs YOUR help! Emergency meeting is Monday March 4th. 6pm at Hope High School Auditorium