Recent Petitions
-
Applaud Former Football Star for Coming Out as Gay May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Praise Progressive New Animal Protection Initiative May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Keep Gray Wolves Under Federal Protection May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Praise New Child Care Safety Regulations May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Thank Vermont for Promoting Food Ingredient Transparency May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Veto Anti-Islamic Bill May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Support Affordable, Sustainable Urban Housing Programs May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Demand that School Allow Transgender Student to Wear Appropriate Graduation Gown May 18, 2013 02:05
-
Demand Compassionate Release of Cancer-Stricken Prisoner May 18, 2013 01:05
-
Don’t Permit Untested Pesticides in Consumer Products May 17, 2013 02:05
Archive for Category: "Human Rights"
Applaud Disney for Featuring a Latina Princess That Challenges Stereotypes
Disney’s first Latina princess is being criticized for not being Latina enough. Please support Disney’s inclusive representation of a modern Latina girl with mixed racial and cultural backgrounds.
Convince Both Sides in the Syrian Conflict to Cease Fighting During Upcoming Muslim Holiday
Leaders from around the world have called on both sides in the Syrian conflict to suspend their fighting in observance of the upcoming Muslim holiday. Past calls for ceasefire have had no effect; however, the holiday provides a different reason for an–albeit brief–end to hostilities. Please help in the effort to urge both the Syrian government and the Free Syrian Army to let the country observe the four-day holiday in peace.
Reverse Repeal of Illinois School District’s Transgender-Inclusive Policy
An Illinois school district recently approved a policy allowing transgender students to use names and gender pronouns that differ from their official records. Less than a week later, the district voted to repeal the policy after anti-gay organizations began sending in hateful letters, demanding it be overturned. Urge the school district to support students’ rights by reversing the repeal and putting the policy back in place.
Thank Football Team for Honoring Fellow Teammate’s Deceased Father
A high school freshman football player had just lost his father. The coach and whole football team carried out a plan to have him score a commemorative touchdown in their next game. Applaud this high school team’s selflessness and show of support for their grieving teammate.
Applaud Professional Football Player for Supporting Gay Marriage
Chris Kluwe, a professional football player, has consistently supported the legalization of gay marriage. Kluwe is breaking all stereotypes by supporting gay marriage while participating in such a macho sport like football. Sign this petition to thank Kluwe for his open support and willingness to change the stigma that sports is only for straight men.
Thank Irish Judge For Giving Unwed and Gay Couples the Right to Adopt
A judge recently overturned a 25-year-old law that barred homosexual couples and unwed couples from adopting children in Northern Ireland. This new ruling is a fantastic step forward for the country (which has recognized gay marriage for nearly a decade). Sign the petition and commend this decision to recognize and expand the rights of unwed and homosexual couples.
Condemn Egyptian Teacher Who Cut Female Students’ Hair for Not Wearing Headscarves
Two 12-year-old girls forcibly had their hair cut by their teacher because they were not wearing Muslim headscarves. This incident and others like it are becoming more common in Egypt as the government is becoming increasingly Islamist. Tell Egyptian President Morsi that he must take a stand to protect the religious minorities in Egypt.
Tell Greece to Enforce Punishment for Police Brutality
Anti-fascist protesters in Athens were recently arrested and abused at the hands of the police. The Greek government needs to make a stand against police cruelty, and enforce a zero tolerance policy to stop such abuses.
Tell Boston Police to Stop Spying on Local Peace Groups
The Boston Police Department has been using local intelligence centers to spy on peace groups like Occupy Boston and Veterans for Peace, classifying such organizations as domestic terrorist threats. Peaceful protests are not extremist activity and the police have no right to spy on such groups as if they were criminals. Tell Boston Police to stop violating the First Amendment rights of activists to organize and demonstrate peacefully.
Stop Punishing Students Who Stand Against Invasive Microchip School IDs
A new program released in San Antonio, Texas aims to diminish rampant truancy by forcing students to wear photo IDs embedded with radio-frequency identification chips, which track their location at all times during school hours. However, many students refuse to switch out their old IDs due to privacy concerns. Rather than respecting such decisions, educators have resorted to punishing these students. Such unethical and immoral actions must stop for the well-being of these students.
Call for Harsher Punishment for Taser-Happy Police
A 61 year-old blind man was Tasered after police mistook his cane for a sword. An investigation as been launched, but no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer. Changes must be made in officers’ training to ensure that unarmed, non-threatening citizens are not accidentally Tasered.
Praise Guatemalan Community Radio Station for Persevering Through Unjust Government Raid
Guatemala banned the operations of community radio despite the indigenous people’s right to a voice promised by the UN in 1996. Doble Via Radio Station has prevailed through its government’s silencing hands and intrusive raids and provided an uplifting outlet for youth and community for ten years. Praise Doble Via owner Alberto Recinos for his perseverance through these terrible circumstances.
Tell the Commission on Presidential Debates to Apologize for the Police Treatment of Green Party Candidate
Green Party candidate Jill Stein and her running mate Cheri Honkala were arrested and detained for eight hours outside of the university grounds where the second presidential debate was taking place. Their crime: exercising their freedom of speech and of assembly. Tell the Commission on Presidential Debates to apologize for their arrest and appalling mistreatment.
Thank the U.S. State Department for Opening Human Rights Talks With Myanmar
The U.S. State Department just finished its first round of diplomatic talks with Myanmar over human rights. Myanmar recently emerged from a fifty-year oppressive military regime and is making great strides to improve human rights protection. Thank the State Department for diplomatically taking on the issue of human rights where it can really make a difference.
Support Cuba’s Decision to Reduce Travel Restrictions
The Cuban government has recently eased its foreign travel permit restrictions, enabling many Cubans the opportunity to leave their country. However, many obstacles still remain as the government can still deny citizens the documents needed for travel. Commend the Cuban government on this important decision, and call on officials to further improve travel laws.
Tell The Koch Brothers to Stop Employee Voter Intimidation
The billionaire brothers and owners of Koch Industries, David and Charles Koch, are trying to control the voting tendencies of their employees. By distributing packets containing right-wing political information amongst their workforce and sanctioning employees who express contrary political opinions outside of work, Koch industries is engaging in voter intimidation. Tell Koch Industries to stop intimidating voters.
Urge El Salvador to Decriminalize Abortion
It is a criminal act to seek or perform an abortion in El Salvador, even if the woman is mentally ill, pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or if an abortion could save her life. El Salvador must decriminalize abortions for these specific cases and allow women the right to procure a safe and legal surgical procedure.
Celebrate the Advancement of Women’s Reproductive Rights in Uruguay
In a historic vote, Uruguay has become the second country in Latin America to legalize abortions. Applaud President Jose Mujica for standing by his beliefs and for making the country a better, safer place for women.
Applaud Straight Man for Living as a Gay Man for One Year
A young man who grew up believing that gays were condemned to hell embarked on an experiment to live as a gay man in order to gain empathy with the LGBTQ community. Applaud this first time author for going undercover and living as a gay man for one whole year as a way to experience the bigotry that LGBTQ individuals still face in America.
Decrease Maternal Mortality in India by Improving Existing Support Programs
A government-based incentive program that allows women free deliveries in institutions, as well as other benefits, is highly underutilized in parts of India. As a result, many women elect to undergo unsafe birthing practices and new mothers end up dying as a result. Demand that more women are made aware of this program and ensure that hospitals themselves aren’t denying women accessibility to something they are rightfully entitled to.
Stop Brutal Forced Evictions in China
Forced evictions in China are primary cause of unhappiness, leaving innocent residents homeless, beaten, arrested, or dead. There is a need for new legislation which protects the entire population of China from harassment, assault, and political unfairness. Those evicted should receive adequate notice and compensation, as to not end up homeless on the streets.
Tell Justice Antonin Scalia That Abortion, Gay Rights, and Death Penalty Are Not ‘Easy Cases’
Recently, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia called abortion, the death penalty, and gay rights issues ‘easy cases.’ As those are all topics that are still heavily debated by the American people, his dismissal of these issues is concerning. Lend your voice, and tell Justice Antonin Scalia that these are important issues, not ‘easy cases.’
Support Gang Rape Victim’s Return to School After Expulsion
A 14-year-old Indonesian girl was expelled in front of an assembly of other students for tarnishing her school’s image after being kidnapped and raped by numerous men affiliated with a human trafficking organization. Due to extensive media outcries this decision has been reversed and the student has been allowed to return to school, but with a heavy burden of shame from both her peers and the school administration. Demand that this school evaluate their policies of humiliating victims and treating them like criminals so such an incident is never repeated.
Uphold Free Speech Rights in United Kingdom’s Social Media
The United Kingdom has recently seen a surge in prosecutions of individuals for objectionable material posted to social media sites. While such comments may be discriminatory or offensive, these individuals’ right to freedom of speech and expression must be protected. Call upon UK Parliament members to issue new laws and guidelines to ensure this essential democratic value.
Urge the World Health Organization to Stop Categorizing Transsexual Individuals as Mentally Ill
The World Health Organization still defines transsexual individuals as ‘mentally ill,’ which only contributes to the widespread discrimination they already face. The WHO is currently updating its publication on mental illness and must revise its discriminatory stance on transsexual individuals.
Comments