People found guilty of animal cruelty in Scotland will now be subject to stricter legal penalties. Thank First Minister Sturgeon, other Parliament members, and animal advocates who fought hard to bring about this needed change.
The issuing of permits to slaughter Yellowstone’s grizzly bears is now illegal and will cease immediately, thanks to the work of conservation advocates. This will allow the endangered species to repopulate and thrive. Thank those who fought for this victory.
The US Army has suspended its efforts to recruit teenagers through the video game platform Twitch thanks to pressure from concerned citizens. This is an important victory for human rights. Applaud those who spoke out against this practice.
A pipeline which would have destroyed disadvantaged and Native American communities and harmed the environment has been successfully cancelled thanks to the work of concerned citizens. Thank them for their tireless efforts to protect small towns and wildlife.
International students will be granted visas even if their classes are online, thanks to the efforts of Harvard and MIT lawyers. This decision blocks a recent policy that would deport international students who can no longer attend in-person classes due to the pandemic. Thank those responsible for this remarkable human rights victory.
Women will no longer have to expose themselves to COVID-19 in order to obtain an abortion. Healthcare providers can now mail or deliver abortion-inducing medications to patients at home. Thank those who fought for this reproductive health victory.
In the wake of the murder of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, Georgia has finally passed a long-delayed hate crimes bill. Thank the governor for signing this important law.
Mississippi’s convicted animal abusers will now be treated with the condemnation and punishment they deserve. The state has toughened its standards and penalties for cruelty. Applaud this important reversal of fortune for vulnerable animals.
Migrant children who are confined in US detention centers will soon be freed, thanks to the hard work of immigration advocates. This is an important development for human rights and public health in the wake of the devastating coronavirus pandemic. Thank those who fought to free these children.
The national park system will receive over 18 million dollars for maintenance and repairs in a landmark victory for environmentalists. The national park system has been underfunded for decades, as well as threatened by oil companies and hunters seeking to claim miles of unspoiled nature for themselves. Thank those who voted in favor of funding and protecting public lands.
A restrictive anti-abortion law was recently overturned. This law would have made women’s access to a safe abortion very difficult. Thank activist organization Pro-Choice America for their tireless work fighting for women’s right to their bodies.
Amazon just helped ensure its facial recognition technology is not weaponized for racial profiling and wrongful imprisonment. The influential company will ban use of its often inaccurate tech by law enforcement in most cases. Thank business leaders for this step in the right direction.
The Mississippi state flag, which displays the Confederate symbol, will be removed and retired. This is a huge achievement for the thousands of protesters nationwide who have been fighting to dismantle systemic racism. Applaud Mississippi’s governor for supporting the removal of the state flag.
Facebook recently removed a Trump campaign advertisement that displayed a symbol used by the Nazis. The symbol, a red triangle, was used to identify political prisoners and communists during WWII. Applaud Facebook for removing Trump’s harmful and alarming use of a Nazi symbol for political gain.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Trump’s administration cannot deport young immigrants who are protected by the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This is a huge victory for immigrant rights group and activists who have fought Trump’s racist attacks on undocumented families. Commend the Supreme Court for this historic decision.
LGBT workers will finally be treated with respect, and employers will not be allowed to fire people or deny them employment based on their sexuality or gender orientation. This decision came down from the Supreme Court and was suggested by House Democrats. Thank Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats for making this possible.
A New York police unit known for its involvement in fatal shootings is being dismantled. This comes after weeks of nationwide protests in the United States calling for defunding the notoriously brutal police force. Applaud the New York City police commissioner for disbanding this unit and working to properly address police brutality.
Louisville, Kentucky has banned the use of no-knock warrants like the one that led to Breonna Taylor being shot by police in her own home. Thank the city council for passing Breonna’s Law and ensuring that no one has to die this way at the hands of police again.
The United Nations has recommended a worldwide ban on conversion therapy. Their recent report determined that the scientifically discredited practice of forcing a subject to change their sexual orientation or identity “may amount to torture.” Thank those who took this stand for gay rights.
A key Republican-led Senate committee voted to remove confederate names from army bases, despite adamant resistance from President Trump. This vote would require the Pentagon to strip military bases and equipment of confederate names, monuments or symbols within three years. Thank the Armed Services Committee for working to address racism in America.
A monument to racism and treason may soon fall in Virginia. The removal of the divisive Robert E. Lee statue, site of many protests against racial injustice, has been ordered by Governor Ralph Northam. Applaud the potential end of this endorsement of America at its worst.
Two officers who reportedly shoved a 75-year-old peaceful protester to the ground were charged with felony assault, thanks to a decision made by district attorney John J. Flynn. Applaud Mr. Flynn for holding police accountable and bringing justice to the man who was reportedly shoved to the ground.
The Minneapolis City Council voted to dismantle their police force which was responsible for the death of George Floyd. This comes after tireless protesting and organizing by Black Visions Collective, the Black Lives Matter movement and thousands of Americans nationwide. Applaud Black Visions Collective for protecting the black community from police brutality and working to dismantle the police department.
The baby duckling that was allegedly thrown from a high bridge in a video that appeared on Snapchat may soon be given justice, thanks to the hard work of the police. Because they took this case seriously, the accused may spend time in prison and be required to pay hefty fines if he is found guilty of this horrible act of animal cruelty. Thank the police for their part in helping to ensure that this innocent animal gets justice.
Two African Americans, Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, died by deadly police force in Louisville in separate incidents. Their controversial killings and the police department responsible for both are now being investigated at the local and federal level. Applaud these needed steps in accountability and ultimate justice.
