Since October 2023, Gaza has become the deadliest place for journalists in modern history, with the United Nations reporting that at least 247 journalists (estimates could be higher) nearly all Palestinian were killed by Israeli military attacks as of August 2025.    These targeted killings, combined with repeated strikes on newsrooms and media offices, have wiped out generations of reporters, devastated families, and left the Palestinian population with only a handful of surviving witnesses willing to document the realities of what's going on in Gaza. The world’s ability to know what is happening in Gaza relies almost entirely on the courage of local journalists, as the Israeli government has banned nearly all foreign media from entering the strip. By systematically silencing Palestinian reporters—often under the pretext of “security”—the Israeli government is not only violating international law but also gravely restricting press freedom, humanitarian oversight, and any evidence for accountability at the international level.   Journalistic efforts to document atrocities, defend civilian lives, and call for humanitarian access become nearly impossible without their work.  Killing journalists is an attack not just on individuals, but on the ability to speak truth itself.    Protecting reporters in Gaza is urgent not only for their lives, but for the world’s right to witness, understand, and respond to this ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

We all have an ethical and moral obligation to speak up when we witness human rights violations. These reprehensible actions by our federal government are increasing exponentially under the Trump 2.0 administration. Any lawyer who is working for ICE Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) or for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) are enabling these actions by helping to drive this machinery. Let us show our solidarity in asking these lawyers to leave their roles or speak out against what is happening (even if it means they lose their job). We should support those who do so and help them find a new role in the legal community. Please sign this petition.

Why Springfield Needs to Act Now Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are under attack. Recent events show why sanctuary cities are more crucial than ever: • Supreme Court threats: The Supreme Court is being asked to overturn marriage equality in a case they'll consider this fall. SCOTUS has also upheld Tennessee's ban on youth gender-affirming care and Trump’s trans military ban  • Right next door: New Hampshire just became the ONLY state in New England to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, making Massachusetts a critical refuge for families across our border • Nationwide bathroom restrictions: 19 states now restrict where transgender people can use public restrooms - increasingly people get harassed to prove their gender • 988 LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Faces Funding Cut: HHS proposes ending government funding putting thousands of young lives at risk • Local hate crimes: Even in progressive Northampton, Pride flags were stolen and burned in the streets Springfield can be a beacon of safety and inclusion! Sign this petition to show Springfield City Council that our community demands action.   Sign if you are: ·       A Springfield, MA resident who supports LGBTQ+ rights (your signature carries the most weight with City Council) ·       A Western Massachusetts resident who cares about regional LGBTQ+ safety ·       Anyone who believes all people deserve safety and dignity ·       Ready to make Springfield a sanctuary for our most vulnerable neighbors   Springfield resident signatures will be highlighted when delivered to City Council, with broader regional support noted separately to show the widespread concern for LGBTQ+ rights in our area.   Every signature matters - sign now and share with your friends, family, and neighbors across Western Mass!   Important Note: This is a community advocacy petition to demonstrate public support for LGBTQ+ sanctuary status in Springfield. This is not an official ballot initiative or legally binding referendum. The petition will be delivered to Springfield City Council to show community demand for action on this issue. Organized by Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible (RUWMI)   #SpringfieldSanctuary #LGBTQRights #MassachusettsValues

The involvement of a church in political agendas threatens its role as a community haven and spiritual sanctuary. Religion should be a refuge from the tumult of political differences, not a contributor. Allowing political summits within religious institutions can further polarize our communities, fracturing unity by aligning spiritual beliefs with political objectives. Calvary Chapel's participation in such political engagement could potentially jeopardize its tax-exempt status, risking its future support and services for the local community, and setting a dangerous precedent for other religious entities. It is crucial to uphold the sanctity and singular purpose of religious institutions by preventing them from becoming tools in partisan politics. Let us protect the church's role as a place of worship and spiritual guidance, free from political entanglements. Please join in urging Calvary Chapel Chino Hills to cancel hosting this political summit to preserve the integrity and neutrality of our cherished religious spaces. Sign the petition now and safeguard the essential separation between church and state.

Let's ensure that Texas schools remain places of learning where all students can feel respected and included, regardless of their personal beliefs. I call on you to join me in this cause to preserve the integrity of public education.  Sign this petition to stop the mandatory display of the Ten Commandments in our school district and across Texas. 

Already, Trump’s attempted cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services have been disastrous—gutting the agency and terminating over 1,000 grants. And now he’s turning his sights to the Smithsonian as part of his administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—laying the groundwork to keep attacking other publicly funded museums nationwide.  And make no mistake: Censoring institutions like museums is right out of the authoritarian playbook as a means of controlling the public narrative, promoting propaganda, and spreading disinformation. Art and history have often been weaponized under regimes to tighten control and suppress free speech.  We need to show up in support of our public museums and make sure they stay institutions for the people—not for any single political party or figure.  Sign the petition to protect museums—in Washington, D.C., and nationwide! 

Yale is a welcoming university in a welcoming city. Supporting Avelo undermines those values. Just as the City of New Haven cut ties with Avelo for profiting from ICE’s abuses, we call on Yale to stand with our community and reject putting profit over people.   

The United States has a long and distressing past of mass incarceration. It is widely acknowledged in sociological and political studies that mass incarceration disproportionately affects black people. According to the Sentencing Project, there is an average of 6.7 black individuals to one white individual currently incarcerated in Michigan. Black people make up 13% of the entire US population, yet are the highest incarcerated demographic in the US at 32%.  Mass incarceration creates a cycle of disadvantage that affects individuals, families, and even entire neighborhoods. Family members are removed from their homes, directly impacting family relationships and childhoods. Social networks are broken, and community members experience a disruption in collective action. This evokes financial strain and further emotional stress in communities that are intentionally left without resources to support themselves.   James Jones is a black man born and raised in the city of Detroit who has endured a wrongful conviction and was initially targeted by the Detroit Police Department.  With the current state of this country, we need to change these trends of devastation in the black community and fight back through awareness and direct action!! Help communities such as James' experience the return of a beloved son, father, and scholar. Repair these social networks and restore black communities!! Sources: • https://www.americanprogress.org/article/mass-incarceration-stress-black-infant-mortality/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/research/us-criminal-justice-data/ • https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/mass-incarceration-trends/

On their own free time, SJ and six others climbed El Capitan in Yosemite and took part in a tradition of hanging a flag at the top.  They never thought the display of acceptance and love would result in their losing their job. But in an effort to make an example out of them, the Trump administration is not only firing SJ, they are threatening criminal charges. Hanging flags off El Capitan has occurred in the past without consequences. In February, demonstrators hung an upside-down U.S. flag, often symbolizing a distress call, on El Capitan to draw attention to the mass firings by the Trump administration. And last year, a group “Climbers with Palestine” hung a flag in protest of the war on Gaza.  But the Trump administration has tightened restrictions around protest in an effort to suppress speech criticizing the government. And the day after the trans flag was displayed on El Capitan, Yosemite’s acting superintendent Ray McPadden signed a rule prohibiting people from hanging large banners, flags, or signs in nearly all areas of the park. The penalty? Up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for groups. Under Trump, the federal government has ramped up anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and the Park Service is no exception. The department has discouraged staff from participating in Pride events and stripped references to “transgender,” “bisexual,” and “queer” from the Stonewall website. SJ’s firing is a continuation of this administration's hostilities toward the LGBTQ+ community—sending a clear message to NPS staff that they, too, could lose their job for speaking out in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Trump and MAGA Republicans want to silence LGBTQ+ people and anyone who loves and supports them. But their efforts to suppress, intimidate, and divide us won’t work. Add your name to the petition to show solidarity with SJ and the other climbers involved! PHOTO: SJ Joslin/NBC

When policing expands without clear, public rules, trust erodes and everyone — residents, officers, and City Hall — takes on unnecessary risk. These guardrails are simple, lawful steps that keep Sioux Falls safe and accountable. They protect civil rights, focus resources where they work, and ensure our city remains welcoming and fair. Add your name if you believe we should: • Keep everyone safer with trust-based policing. Clear limits, data reporting, and safe-reporting policies help solve crimes by encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward. • Protect constitutional rights and due process. Warrant requirements and transparent policies prevent mission creep and ensure any cooperation with outside agencies stays lawful and narrow. • Spend tax dollars wisely. Public cost estimates and Council votes prevent blank checks and help prioritize what actually improves safety. • Rely on facts, not headlines. A monthly public dashboard lets all of us judge outcomes — stops, searches, arrests, use-of-force — so policy follows evidence, not press events. • Safeguard community spaces. Schools, hospitals, places of worship, and courthouses should remain accessible and welcoming for everyone. • Reflect Sioux Falls values. We can have both effective public safety and dignity for our neighbors, including immigrant families. Your signature tells City leadership to adopt these reasonable, time-bound steps now so investigations can proceed lawfully, budgets stay transparent, and our community stays strong. Please sign and share.

Trump is using fear and fabricated fraud claims to justify imposing authoritarian control over elections. It’s the same tactic he’s trotted out in the past—and now he’s doing it from the White House. Elections in the United States already have rigorous checks and balances to keep them safe and secure. Trump isn’t interested in protecting elections; this executive order would strip away the very freedoms that make them fair and accessible, like vote-by-mail and drop boxes. Trump’s goal is clear: silence millions of Americans by making it harder to vote. Congress and governors must act now to reject Trump’s power grab and defend the basic principle that in America, voters pick our leaders—not the other way around. Add your name to tell Congress and governors to protect our freedom to vote in the face of Trump’s attacks.

Why We’re Urging FEMA to Act — And Why You Should Join Us The people of Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and surrounding communities are facing a crisis that no city should bear alone. After the historic August 9th flood, thousands of families are still without safe homes, clean water, or basic stability. We are calling on FEMA not just for funding — but for recognition, urgency, and support. The damage exceeds federal aid thresholds. The need is real. And the longer the delay, the harder recovery becomes. We ask every American to stand with us by signing this petition — because this could happen in anytown, to any family. By showing solidarity, you help make clear that our federal emergency system must respond swiftly and equitably when disaster strikes.   FEMA: Our community matters. The time to act is now.