Archive for Category: "Human Rights"

Don’t Prosecute High School Girl for Being in a Same-Sex Relationship

Don’t Prosecute High School Girl for Being in a Same-Sex Relationship

A Florida high school student is being charged with sexual battery for being in a consensual, same-sex relationship with another student. The criminal prosecution of this girl is outrageous and must be stopped.

Urge Wendy’s to Support Farm Workers’ Rights

Urge Wendy’s to Support Farm Workers’ Rights

Farm Workers in Florida are asking major fast-food chains to improve their lives by paying an extra penny per pound of their tomatoes. So far, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Subway have complied; Wendy’s has not. It is out responsibility to demand that the company sign on to the Fair Food Program and stop participating in the oppression of farmers.

Condemn Judge for Attempting to Destroy Family With Two Moms

Condemn Judge for Attempting to Destroy Family With Two Moms

A Texas judge is attempting to keep a family apart because the two moms are in a lesbian relationship. By enforcing a ‘morality clause’, the judge could forbid the non-biological mother from living with her partner. Condemn the judge for his efforts to destroy a family based on his bigotry.

Colorado Prisons Must Stop Sexually Victimizing Inmates by Staff

Colorado Prisons Must Stop Sexually Victimizing Inmates by Staff

Denver prisons have the highest rate of staff sexual abuse against inmates in the nation. Demand Colorado prisons provide a safe place for those victimized, and put a stop to the abuse.

Thank Pentagon for Transgender Veteran Equality Efforts

Thank Pentagon for Transgender Veteran Equality Efforts

The Pentagon recently created a process by which they recognize transgender veterans’ gender reassignments, making it easier for them and their spouses to receive benefits. Thank the Pentagon for taking an important step towards transgender equality in the military.

Urge the Boy Scouts to Accept Gay Scouts and Leaders

Urge the Boy Scouts to Accept Gay Scouts and Leaders

It’s time to end the Boy Scouts of America’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. Tell the National Council of Boy Scouts that it should vote to change its discriminatory policy and allow gay Scouts and leaders.

Overturn Death Sentences For Men Who Confessed Under Torture

Overturn Death Sentences For Men Who Confessed Under Torture

Two Saudi Arabian nationals face execution in Iraq after being found guilty of murder. However, their confessions were obtained while the men were being tortured. Sign this petition and demand that the Iraqi government overturn their sentences and grant them new trials.

Applaud Former Football Star for Coming Out as Gay

Applaud Former Football Star for Coming Out as Gay

Former college football star Kevin Grayson recently came out as gay. As more gay athletes reveal their true selves, the world of sports is being diversified, stereotypes are being broken and young people are becoming inspired to fight stigma and discrimination. Please sign this petition applauding Grayson’s courage.

Veto Anti-Islamic Bill

Veto Anti-Islamic Bill

Missouri is about to sign into law a bill that is inherently anti-Islamic. In a time when understanding and acceptance must be encouraged so as to quell tensions on both sides of the matter, such legislation is extremely counterproductive. Please lend your voice in demanding that this bill be vetoed before it can become law.

Demand that School Allow Transgender Student to Wear Appropriate Graduation Gown

Demand that School Allow Transgender Student to Wear Appropriate Graduation Gown

A transgender student has been told that he is not allowed to wear boys’ graduation robes to his ceremony. Demand that the high school allow him to wear robes that reflect his gender identity.

Demand Compassionate Release of Cancer-Stricken Prisoner

Demand Compassionate Release of Cancer-Stricken Prisoner

Lynne Stewart will die of cancer if she is not granted clemency for a frivolous crime, and allowed to receive proper medical care to treat her cancer. Stewart is a 73-year-old grandmother and former civil rights attorney that is now serving a ten-year prison sentence, and suffering abuses of her own civil liberties. Demand the Federal Bureau of Prisons permit Lynne Stewart compassionate release, and save her from the unjust fate of dying in jail.

Convince Walmart To Sign Bangladesh Safety Agreement

Convince Walmart To Sign Bangladesh Safety Agreement

Over 1,100 workers were killed due to a factory building collapse in Bangladesh. A safety plan for Bangladesh factories has been created in response to that tragedy, and endorsed by over a dozen international companies, but Walmart has refused to sign on. Tell Walmart to join the safety agreement to ensure tragedies like this do not happen again.

Release Witness From Indian Prison

Release Witness From Indian Prison

A man from Bangladesh set to testify against the government for war crimes was abducted and forced to cross the border into India. Since crossing the border, he has been detained in Indian jail past his sentence and been subject to ill treatment. Sign this petition and demand that the Indian government release him into the care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Commend Pasadena Rose Queen for Participating in Gay Pride Parade

Commend Pasadena Rose Queen for Participating in Gay Pride Parade

The Rose Queen will participate in an LGBT pride event in Long Beach, California, but not in an official capacity. Tell the Tournament of Roses that the Rose Queen should officially participate in the future to promote tolerance and respect of the LGBT community.

Condemn Police for Excessive Force and Unlawful Entry

Condemn Police for Excessive Force and Unlawful Entry

Police in California violated citizens’ fourth amendment rights by forcefully entering their home without probable cause. They then proceeded to taser the individuals in the home, despite the presence of children. Sign this petition to demand that action be taken against the officers involved in this incident.

Demand Release of Video Evidence Involving a Police Beating

Demand Release of Video Evidence Involving a Police Beating

David Sal Silva, a father of four children, was recently beaten to death by California police in front of several witnesses. The officers involved claim that Silva became aggressive, and they had to use force to subdue him – including the use of a police dog. Several witnesses were able to film the incident, only to have police procure warrants to enter their homes and seize the recording devices containing the footage.

Reprimand Archbishop For Failing to Protect Children From Abusive Priest

Reprimand Archbishop For Failing to Protect Children From Abusive Priest

The Archbishop of Newark promised to protect youth groups from a priest who had been forbidden from interacting with children following sexual abuse charges. However, this priest still managed to go on weekend retreats with youth groups without any supervision. Sign this petition to reprimand the Archbishop for his failure to protect the community.

Demand Justice for Unlawful Arrest

Demand Justice for Unlawful Arrest

Christopher Beatty, a popular music artist, was arrested outside of a liquor store in Fayetteville, North Carolina on April 29th by a plain-clothes officer. The victim did not break any laws, but was accused of possessing an open container of alcohol and trespassing on private property. Beatty was innocent and nonviolent, but was apprehended anyway. Demand that the Cumberland County District Attorney drop all charges against Christopher Beatty.

Commend Bangladesh for Raising Wages of Textile Workers

Commend Bangladesh for Raising Wages of Textile Workers

Recently, the Bangladesh government made significant steps towards raising the minimum wage for factory textile workers. This move comes in response to recent factory disasters in the country. Applaud the government for working to ensure adequate compensation for these workers.

Support Marriage Equality in Illinois

Support Marriage Equality in Illinois

Despite right-wing efforts to undermine marriage equality, an increasing majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. Many battles over equality remain, and the opposition is well-organized, connected and financially powerful. Thank Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s ongoing efforts to extend marriage equality in the state of Illinois, and lend your support to the movement.

Applaud ABC News for Supporting Transgender Employee

Applaud ABC News for Supporting Transgender Employee

An ABC News editor recently announced that she was transgender. ABC News has supported Dawn Stacey Ennis’s transition with open arms. Please sign this petition applauding ABC’s inclusion and support.

Demand Action Against Air Force Lieutenant Charged With Sexual Battery

Demand Action Against Air Force Lieutenant Charged With Sexual Battery

Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski, head of the U.S. Air Force’s anti-sexual assault unit, was recently arrested and charged with sexual battery. Demand the Air Force take immediate and severe punitive action against Krusinski.

Applaud L.A. Times For Avoiding Dehumanizing Language When Discussing Immigration

Applaud L.A. Times For Avoiding Dehumanizing Language When Discussing Immigration

The Los Angeles Times recently announced plans to cover immigration stories without using the broad, offensive and dehumanizing terms ‘illegal immigrants’ or ‘undocumented immigrants.’ Instead, the newspaper will focus on describing individual circumstances. Applaud the L.A. Times for this promising step.

Support Women Persecuted for Blogging about Human Rights Violations

Support Women Persecuted for Blogging about Human Rights Violations

Bloggers from countries such as China and Iran are being persecuted by their governments for speaking out against human rights violations. One blogger from Iran was imprisoned and declared an enemy of the state for writing about women’s rights. Sign this petition and support female bloggers who have been persecuted for defending their freedom.

Halt The Execution Of A Canadian Citizen Falsely Accused In Iran

Halt The Execution Of A Canadian Citizen Falsely Accused In Iran

A Canadian citizen is at risk of execution in Iran for espionage charges. The confession used to convict him however, was taken while he was being tortured. Sign this petition and demand that the victim be given a new trial adhering to international law.