A shocking number of innocent people have been sentenced to death. And the tragic reality is that capital punishment is imposed mostly on poor people who cannot afford to hire an effective lawyer. And while proponents claim the death penalty is a crime deterrent and keeps us safer, that doesn't seem to be the case, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies. After more than three decades of research examining whether the threat of a death sentence deters people from committing aggravated murders, there is no reliable evidence that the death penalty deters murder.  Add your name today to urge President Biden to commute all federal death sentences before he leaves office.

Why is it Important? The removal of federal protections for gender and sexual identity proposed by Project 2025 would have devastating consequences for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly Black and Brown individuals. Without these protections, discrimination in housing, employment, and public services will increase, leading to higher rates of unemployment and homelessness. These marginalized groups already face systemic inequities, and this proposal threatens to deepen those disparities, stripping away the safety and rights that many have fought tirelessly to secure. Why Should Others Join the Campaign? When one group’s rights are under attack, everyone’s freedom is at risk. Joining this campaign means standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and upholding the values of equality and justice. Your voice can amplify the movement, challenge discriminatory policies, and push for better protections for all. Together, we can send a powerful message to lawmakers that these protections are non-negotiable. Change happens when communities unite for a common cause, and your participation is critical to creating a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Why This Change is Important   Family unity is a core value of the United States, and the current waiting times for sibling immigration visas undermine this principle. Currently, U.S. citizens may wait 15 to 20 years or more to bring their siblings to the U.S., an unreasonable delay that creates long-term separation and hardship. This delay is not just an inconvenience; it is an emotional and financial burden for families.   Facts: Emotional Impact: Families are forced to live with the distress of separation for decades, often missing out on critical life moments. Important family events—weddings, births, illnesses, and even funerals—occur without the support of siblings who are still waiting for immigration approval. Economic Impact: Families are often separated across borders, which creates financial burdens as relatives who might have supported each other are unable to reunite and share resources. When families are finally reunited, they often face economic challenges, which could be alleviated by reducing the wait times.   Family Support Systems: A reduction in the wait time would allow families to reunite sooner, making it easier for siblings to share responsibilities for caring for aging parents or helping each other with childcare.   The Human Side:   Take, for example, the case of Mohamed, a U.S. citizen living in Michigan. He has been waiting for nearly 18 years to reunite with his sister in Egypt. During this time, his sister has missed the births of his children, their graduations, and even important family events like weddings. The emotional toll on Mohamed and his family is immense, but they are powerless to change the system. Like Mohamed, millions of other U.S. citizens are facing the same heart-wrenching wait.   Why Should Others Join in the Campaign?   1. Support for Family Unity:   Many Americans understand the value of being with family in times of need. By reducing wait times, we ensure that families can come together sooner, providing mutual support in difficult times. Family reunification benefits everyone—not just the immigrants but also U.S. citizens who want to build their lives with the support of their loved ones. 2. Humanitarian Reasoning:   The U.S. prides itself on being a nation of immigrants. By advocating for change, we align with the values that make America a beacon of hope for families around the world. Speeding up the immigration process for siblings ensures that the U.S. remains a compassionate and welcoming nation that values families. 3. Economic Benefits for the Country:   When families are united, they can more easily contribute to the U.S. economy. Whether it’s through work, investing in local communities, or contributing to the country’s cultural diversity, family reunification strengthens our nation as a whole.   A Call for Action:   This is not just about policy—it's about families. People all across the U.S. are living with the pain of long separations. With your support, we can change the law to ensure that the immigration process for siblings is fair, timely, and humane. Together, we can advocate for a change that unites families sooner, strengthens our communities, and ensures a more just immigration system for all. Join this campaign because family should not have to wait 20 years to be together. Let’s work together to make the U.S. immigration system fairer and more compassionate for everyone.

The family has waited long enough.

healthcare is a basic human right, and no one should be denied care due to financial barriers. A universal healthcare system would improve public health, reduce inequality, and create a more productive society by ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can get the care they need when they need it. Together, we can build a more just and equitable system that benefits everyone.

Whether it’s allegations of sexual assault, concerns about heavy drinking, lack of experience, extremist ties, or past suggestions that the troops should be deployed against protestors and political opponents, one thing is crystal clear: Hegseth is unfit for the role. The Secretary of Defense oversees the largest and most powerful military in the world – and the bloated, too-powerful Pentagon bureaucracy that comes with it. This role demands, at the very least, a leader who prioritizes people’s well-being, has a willingness to root out corruption, understands the military should be a tool of last resort, and approaches our common security with seriousness and responsibility. We knew that would be a tall order for the incoming president, but Hegseth’s record not only falls embarrassingly short, it makes him a potential threat to the safety and security of millions of people, here at home and around the globe. The good news? Multiple outlets are reporting that Hegseth’s nomination is on the rocks. One senator told Politico, the prospects for his confirmation are "bad and getting worse.”[1] When you speak out to your senators today, your voice can tip the scales to derail his appointment before it even begins.  We cannot allow extremist rhetoric, scandal, and unqualified leadership to take root in the Department of Defense. Urge your Senators to reject Pete Hegseth’s nomination.

Don't let a politically motivated special interest group chill academic freedom and expression in our schools in the interest of promoting Israel's image among our students. The Lower Merion school board announced at a 12/3/24 school board meeting that they have unilaterally decided to partner with the Weitzman Organization and the Anti Defamation League on their antisemitism training initiative.  Both groups rely on the highly controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism, which infamously conflates antisemitism with protected political speech that is critical of Israel.   Do we want our kids to be punished if they ask the question, "Is Israel's nation state law which codifies a legal system of Jewish supremacy consistent with democratic values"?  Should language used by a consensus of international human rights and legal experts including terms like "apartheid, occupation, and genocide" be prohibited when talking about Israel in school?  Should a child be suspended for saying "free Palestine"? Join me in voicing our concern that allowing Weitzman and the ADL to shape our district's curriculum will have just such a repressive effect and is inconsistent with our values.  

Amazon is one of the largest private employers in the country. It delivers more parcels than UPS and soon will overtake USPS as well. It has 2,843 warehouses and delivery stations in the US, and employs 800,000 people as well as hundreds of thousands more ‘contractors’. That means if Amazon workers get a raise, it will literally change the livelihoods of millions around the country. Workers are already making their voices heard. This summer Amazon workers at the San Bernardino air hub staged a one-day unfair labor practice strike and workers in Kentucky went on strike part of a day, forcing planes to re-route. In response to this pressure the company increased pay by $1.50 an hour - but with billions in profits every single year CEO Andy Jassy can do much much better than that.  Add your name to stand with Amazon workers by signing the petition to give them a real raise – and demand better for the people behind the packages.

Hostile architecture harms everyone, not just the homeless. It leaves the elderly, pregnant women, and the disabled without a place to properly rest. These types of seating are incompatible with mobility aids and make life harder for an already marginalized group. Anti-homeless architecture in Lafayette should be replaced with proper seating for the benefit of all citizens. 

Donald Trump’s reelection as president by the narrowest margin of victory since the 19th century means that nearly all of his criminal cases have either been dismissed or put on hold for now.  And despite what Trump and his supporters claim, his reelection as president must not mean that he gets to skirt accountability in the history books and public record.  It’s not hyperbole to believe that this is likely our last chance to read for ourselves the full lengths Trump went to in order to overturn democracy a few years ago before he and his Cabinet of loyalists take office again. In fact, Trump has already made clear his intention to go after those who once investigated him.  Attorney General Garland must move swiftly to release the full report before it’s too late. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Trump’s attacks on journalists and the free press are well documented. Now, as his second term nears, it’s critical that Congress implement greater protections for the press. The New York Times editorial board said it is important to pass a shield for reporters to “prevent abuses of power.”(1) In his first term, Trump attempted to block leaks and pressure reporters in ways that threaten the free press and the public interest. The House passed the PRESS Act without any opposition.(2) The Senate must now pass this legislation before Trump takes office. Sign the petition: Protect the free press and pass the PRESS Act now! The PRESS Act would protect journalists and the investigative reporting the public relies on to understand the inner workings of our government. With this legislation, government officials would not be able to force reporters to give up their sources or seize the phone and email records of journalists. The New York Times editorial board said, “Hostility toward the news media in the polarized politics of the day makes it more urgent than ever to ensure that reporters can continue to pursue their essential role as watchdogs over the government without the threat of court-ordered demands for their sources and information. The PRESS Act is needed now.”(3) Sign the petition: Tell the U.S. Senate to pass the PRESS Act before Trump takes office. Sources: 1. “A Reporter’s Shield Law Is Vital to Prevent Abuses of Power,” The New York Times, October 14, 2024 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid.

The proposed Fast Lane gas station and convenience store at 1510 Prospect Road is not a good fit for our community for several reasons: • Dangerous Health Hazards • Benzene, which is present in gasoline vapor, is a known carcinogen. • A peer reviewed study from 2023 showed that living within 250 meters of a gas station increased the risk of childhood leukemia by 2.4 times. (Malavolti et al, 2023) • A 2022 peer reviewed study showed that children living within 500 meters of a gas station were TWICE as likely to develop brain and spinal cord tumors. (Mazzei et al, 2022) • Negative Effect on Home Values • Several studies indicate anywhere from 9-30% lower home values in the areas surrounding gas stations. (Zhao et al, 2017) • Home value appreciation for homes within 800 feet of a gas station is HALF of that compared to homes farther away. (Locate Alpha, 2022) • Increased Crime • Gas stations and convenience stores account for the location of 5% of ALL violent crime and 14% of all robberies in the US. (FBI Crime Statistics, 2022) • Increased Traffic Congestion • Gas stations are very high traffic establishments, and it will cause traffic jams backing up Civic Center Drive and the Prospect / I-64 traffic circles