Allison began working in education and non-profits in 2008, and volunteered for education, human rights, and environmental issues ever since mentoring her "little brother" in elementary school. Relaxation frequently consists of kneading out frustrations as an amateur baker, knitting up a storm, and reveling with the crazy cat she rescued from the mean streets of the South Bronx.

Stop Crocodile & Alligator Smuggling and Slaughter

Smuggled reptiles rarely survive the harrowing ordeal. Due to the inherently devastating risks of transporting these animals live, smugglers usually kill the crocodiles and alligators before transport. Stop the senseless slaughter and exploitation of these wonderful creatures.

Lift Ban on Saudi Arabian Women Athletes

The oppressively patriarchal Saudi regime must end its segregation and oppression of women. If Saudi Arabia wishes to take part in the international Olympics, they should be required to permit their country’s own women to compete in the games.

No Live Animals in Art: Animal Cruelty is Not Artistic

Cooping, killing, and consuming chickens is not art. Ask artist ‘animal artist’ Amber Hansen, Lawrence city officials, and the international art community to keep live animals out of art installations and prevent animal cruelty.

Art Jones: Retract Holocaust Denials or Congressional Candidacy

Arthur Jones, your friendly neighborhood Holocaust denier, announced his candidacy for the 3rd US Congressional District in Illinois. Belittling the horrific suffering that Jews experienced, Art declared, ‘The more survivors, the more lies that are told.’ Let ‘Aryan Art’ know that Illinoisans and Americans don’t want the slander and hate he’s selling.

Protect Idaho Trout & Creeks from Selenium Pollution

Toxic selenium can be found in Idaho’s fragile water system and 200 federal Superfund disaster sites. This mutagen can cause deformities in humans and fatal mutations in wildlife. Reject the Simplot mining company’s scientifically fishy proposal to shield themselves from responsibility by raising state and federal limits on this hazardous pollutant.

Protect Female Athletes from Sex Abuse & Health Risks

Women athletes face increased exposure to sexual abuse, exacerbated health risks, and a decrease in female leadership. We must provide a safe environment for vulnerable girls and young women to develop their athletic talents.

Provide Clear Warning if There are Animal Products in Medicines

Many vegetarians are unwittingly ingesting pharmaceutical gelatin, a product derived from the insides of animal skin and bones. Drug companies commonly use this animal product as an unlisted coating agent or thickener in medicines. The pharmaceutical industry should clearly label medications containing animal products and must develop vegetarian options for patients who are opposed to consuming animal products.

Justice for Hazed Private Danny Chen

An ongoing hazing campaign of racial abuse by fellow US soldiers drove 19-year-old Army private Danny Chen to commit suicide on October 3rd. Demand justice for Danny and a haze-free zone for all US soldiers.

Support Clean Energy and American Manufacturing

How much of a difference can 2.2 cents make? Ask your congressperson to explain America’s absolute concession of the wind energy sector to China and Germany by refusing to extend production tax credits. Supporting this federal program will increase customer access to renewable energy and boost the limping US employment recovery.

Nigerian Gold is too Costly in Human Life

Since 2010, Nigeria has witnessed the worst outbreak of lead poisoning in modern history with the deaths of at least 400 children and developmental damage to more than 3,500 children requiring urgent, life-saving treatment. With the price of gold now at record highs, human life and dignity remain priceless. Insist that Nigerian and international officials take responsibility for the toxic conditions that are poisoning villages and ecosystems.

Suspend Harvard’s Animal Testing Until They Show They Can Do It Properly & Humanely

Nine animals have died in Harvard-affiliated laboratories in the past two years due to negligence at these facilities. Primates, dogs, goats, rabbits, and other animals have paid the ultimate price for Harvard researchers’ disregard for the wellbeing of all creatures, big and small. Suspend Harvard’s animal research license and demand a complete disclosure of their animal testing safety procedures.

Stop Animal Abusers by Requiring them to Register with Authorities

Lynette Kaufmann found Heidi, her darling golden retriever puppy, shot to death in a gully. Heidi’s Law would require that all convicted animal abusers register in a publically available system, a critical measure to protect pets and to ensure that convicted abusers do not get their paws on another helpless animal. Protect Maryland’s animals and pass Heidi’s Law today.

Stop Kuwaiti Police Violence Against Transgender Women

Kuwaiti officers routinely torture and sexually abuse transgender people under the cover of a discriminatory law which criminalizes gender expression. Transgender women face physical, sexual, and emotional persecution on a daily basis by members of the police force. Kuwait must uphold its human rights obligations and protect all residents from brutal police misconduct and the application of unfair laws.

Champion Charlie’s Cause: Charge Abusive Horse Owner with Animal Cruelty

The horrifying animal cruelty case of a 27-year-old Swedish horse named Charlie was discovered in late November 2011, but authorities have yet to charge the owner for his criminal actions. Charlie’s 50-centimeter overgrown hooves and tiny stall prevented the emaciated horse from walking, standing, or even laying down. Speak to the Swedes and ask them to punish this intolerable animal abuse.

Stop Ethiopia From Starving Indigenous Villagers Through Forced Relocation

Ethiopian armed forces have repeatedly threatened, assaulted and arbitrarily arrested indigenous people while transferring them away from their native homes to make way for commercial agricultural development. This relocation program has already forcibly relocated 70,000 indigenous people to new villages that lack adequate food, farmland, healthcare and educational facilities. As a result, thousands of villagers are starving to death in non-arable lands. This destructive policy must be reversed.

Stop British Sharpshooters from Slaughtering Badgers

The United Kingdom announced a pilot program to gun down wild badgers as part of a test of ‘how safe, humane and effective controlled shooting of badgers is’ to combat bovine TB. Farmers and landowners can now apply as groups for licenses to kill badgers, a protected species with low incidence of TB infection. Please speak up for these voiceless badgers and stop sharpshooters from inhumanely eliminating Britain’s beloved badgers.

Support Needed Reforms of the U.S. Food Safety System

There are roughly 15 government agencies tasked with administering our food-related laws. This inefficient mess of agencies threatens the safety of our food supply. By simplifying the convoluted food safety system into one independent and consolidated agency, we will streamline costs and increase food safety. Don’t allow agribusiness to continue to use our regulatory mess to find loopholes to avoid food safety regulations.

End Harsh Imprisonment for Political Expression in Thailand

An elderly and peaceful protestor, 61-year-old Ampon, was sentenced to 20 years in a Bangkok prison for sending four text messages deemed offensive to Thailand’s monarchy. Computer programmers, activists and innocent civilians are similarly punished with 10-20 years of imprisonment for ‘insulting’ the royal family. It’s time for Thailand to release its chokehold on free expression and allow political activists to speak.

Save the Internet from Government and Corporate Censorship

The freedoms of creativity and self-expression are under attack by US Congressional leaders and entertainment industry honchos. The proposed legislation against ‘rogue websites… [is] technically cumbersome, economically and commercially dampening, and potentially politically repressive.’ Save the Internet from government and corporate censorship.

Equalize the Hawaiian Special Education System

A recent state-commissioned report on Hawaii’s special education system revealed a host of organizational and systemic issues, including questionable practices involving the delivery of special education services, funding transparency and regional service variations. The Hawaii State Department of Education and Legislature must move to immediately address concerns regarding the patchy quality of special education services.

Stop Ethiopian Exploitation of Anti-Terror Law to Stifle Peaceful Dissent

Ethiopia selectively applies overbroad anti-terror laws to peaceful dissenters, charging nonviolent journalists, protesters, and opposition party members with ‘encouragement of terrorism.’ The publication of legitimate criticisms is a vital political freedom of any healthy democracy, which Ethiopia should no longer abridge.

Stop Sports Industry’s Misleading Claims of Concussion Reduction

At least 3 million youths participate in tackle football every year in the United States, and sports equipment makers exploit Americans’ fears of concussions and injuries with misleading claims that their new helmets help reduce concussions. In reality, these overpriced, ineffective products are not tested for concussion-causing impacts or youth sizes, sending student athletes onto the field with little protection but their own false senses of security.

Ban Invasive Research on Great Apes

A bipartisan coalition has introduced sweeping legislation that would ban invasive research on all great apes, which inflict painful procedures and emotionally debilitating isolation on research subjects. Since cheaper alternatives exist, ending invasive on research on great apes saves dollars, makes sense and is the moral thing to do.

Renounce Vietnamese Rehab Archipelago Abuses

Most Vietnamese exporters contaminate your consumer goods with the taint of forced labor. The government of Vietname must cut off all relationships with the Vietnamese drug rehabilitation centers and subcontractors that manage these abusive lines of production and implement effective supply chain management systems to detect and respond to labor abuses.

Protect Transgender Human Rights in the Netherlands

Dutch laws require transgender people to take hormones, surgically alter their bodies, and undergo permanent and irreversible sterilization before they can have their gender legally recognized on official documents. Remove these onerous violations of transgender people’s human rights to personal autonomy, physical integrity, and personal ability to define gender identity.