Liberty University’s president refused to suspend in-person classes during the pandemic, claiming that the coronavirus was being exaggerated by the media. Virginia governor Ralph Northam has issued a statewide mandate to end in-person classes, which will force Liberty University to close its campus and stop forcing its students to risk exposure to the virus. Commend Governor Northam for protecting students’ and faculty’s health when their own university would not.
Unrestrained oil production has slowly poisoned Earth for decades. Production of this destructive fossil fuel will now be slashed drastically. Applaud the decline of a prominent global polluter.
Bernie Sanders endorsed Joe Biden for president in a live stream on Biden’s social media. Bernie is putting party unity first and ensuring that Biden will take the progressive part of the Democratic Party very seriously in the coming election to beat Donald Trump. Thank Bernie for supporting party unity.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has been found guilty of failing to prevent Right whale deaths due to entanglement in fishing gear. This is a landmark conservation victory which will lead to better protection for Right whales. Thank those who demanded justice for this vulnerable species.
A ridiculous ban on the use of words like “burger” and “sausage” in plant-based food labels has been dismissed in the Netherlands. This ban would have forced plant-based food companies to sell their products using such unappetizing terms “veggie discs” or “protein tubes.” Sign this petition to thank the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport for their wise decision to reject this unnecessary ban.
Hundreds of inmates have been released from US prisons, which have been likened to “matchboxes” waiting to go up in flames with the coronavirus. This is a huge step forward in slowing the spread of the virus and winning justice for prisoners forced to risk infection in unsafe conditions. Commend the Connecticut Department of Corrections for releasing over 700 prisoners to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Firefighting foam that contains dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals may soon be phased out, thanks to research done by the United States Air Force. In addition, the Air Force agreed to work with communities contaminated with chemicals and clean them up. Thank the U.S. Air Force for prioritizing the health of firefighters, the public and the environment by working to provide a safer firefighting foam.
Science and medicine have once again rescued scores of living beings from a deadly fate. A promising vaccine spells the end of inhumane badger culling in Britain. Applaud the eradication of a government-mandated form of animal cruelty that has claimed over a million badgers.
The consumption of dog and cat meat has officially been banned in Shenzhen, China, as part of a larger ban on the eating of wildlife following the coronavirus outbreak. This could save millions of innocent animal lives. Thank those responsible for this groundbreaking animal rights success.
Sierra Leone has lifted a years-long ban on pregnant girls coming to school. This law was just one of many harsh cruelties faced by young girls in African countries, a reminder that society and the law see them as lesser people than boys and men and denying them even basic human rights. Once the COVID-19 crisis is over, however, this will no longer be the case. Thank the Sierra Leone school system for lifting this unfair ban.
The Dakota Access Pipeline violates the rights and safety of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and now a federal court has sided with the tribe’s lawyers against the project. Thank the Indigenous Environmental Network for their tireless fight to protect indigenous lands from the threat of this pipeline.
A man accused of killing or starving dozens of cattle received his day in court and did not escape legal justice. He was found criminally responsible for multiple counts of animal cruelty. Applaud the prosecutors who never gave up on justice for these fallen victims of inexcusable negligence and abuse.
The Trump administration’s attempt to lease almost one million acres of public land without public comment was voided. This land is vital habitat for the greater sage grouse and other sagebrush reliant species. Applaud Western Watersheds Project for highlighting the Trump administration’s corrupt policy and protecting greater sage grouse habitat.
Four Egyptian men facing the death penalty were acquitted of their alleged charges. They were arrested as teenagers and reportedly faced horrendous torture while imprisoned. Thank human rights group Reprieve for their hard work campaigning to bring these men justice.
A New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) worker has been granted the two weeks of paternity leave he was guaranteed following the stillbirth of his child. This is a compassionate about-face and a victory for workers everywhere. Congratulate the MTA on this gracious decision.
Coal emissions from the global electricity sector have dropped in the last year, thanks partly to the European Union’s efforts. The EU has been one of the world powers most reluctant to drop coal as a fuel, but this is finally changing. Thank the bloc of countries for finally doing the right thing for clean air.
Banking giant Wells Fargo has dropped its financial support for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic. More big companies should follow this example. Thank Wells Fargo for finally doing the right thing.
A convicted animal cruelty offender will serve jail time after he beat a rabbit with a stick and then beheaded the innocent animal at a shelter. Thank Iowa’s rescuers for fighting tirelessly for this beloved rabbit to receive justice and for their continued work in protecting animals.
The state where one of the worst mass shootings in American history took place will now put long-blocked gun violence prevention measures into practice. This shows that Virginia will no longer value special interest paychecks over human lives. Applaud this landmark legislation.
Airlines will no longer be required to fly empty planes that needlessly pollute the environment during the coronavirus outbreak. This suspension of an old rule will reduce pollution and help the environment during this significant drop in air travel. Congratulate the President of the European Commission on this victory.
Fewer plastic bags will choke marine life and pollute the environment, thanks to New York banning these hazardous products. Thank the governor for supporting this ban and for further doing what needs to be done to ensure positive environmental change takes place.
A man who was found guilty of tying his dog to a basketball post and leaving him there to die was given a harsh sentence under law. Thank those responsible for doing what was necessary in order to ensure that Walter the dog received due justice.
The largest oil refinery on the East Coast will be shut down permanently thanks to four years of campaigning by a Philadelphia-based environmental group. This refinery emitted the highest levels of cancer-causing benzene in the country, far exceeding the EPA standard. Praise the environmental group for working to ensure the closure of this harmful oil refinery.
Chris Matthews resigned from Hardball on MSNBC during a broadcast following sexist and antisemitic remarks. Thanks to pressure from activists, Matthews is making way for a younger and more progressive generation of journalists. Thank Matthews for showing remorse and stepping down.
Instant divorce has been outlawed in India, extending protection to millions of Muslim women once subject to impoverishment and isolation at the hands of their husbands. An act of the Parliament of India has ended this practice and guaranteed rights and compensation for victims. Congratulate those responsible for successfully ending instant divorce.
