6,137 results
Petition to Reza Langari
International award winning Iranian actress, Taraneh_Alidoosti, was arrested by Iran’s IslamistRead more
Reza LangariCollege Station, TX, United States
149,155 supporters
Created December 17, 2022
Petition to Jack Petchey Foundation, sheila bain wanstead council
Thank you for your tremendous support for this petition to allow a young woman's right to speak out. The Speakers Trust have added the video back to their site and it has been viewed by over 85,000 people on YouTube and Vimeo!
The censorship of Leanne Muhamad's video is indicative of a wider censorship of Palestinian issues and the punishment of anyone who speaks out for Palestine. To show your support for freedom of speech for Palestine, please read, sign and share our new petition at https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-freedom-of-speech-on-palestine.
Is the voice of a fifteen year old girl that dangerous?
Leanne Muhamad of Wansted High School won the "Speak out" challenge after giving an impressive performance to enthusiastic applause. However one day later, following complaints from extremist anti-Palestinian blogger Edgar Davidson to the Speakers Trust (the charity that trains the students to take part in the Speak Out Challenge) the Jack Petchey Foundation and Wanstead High School, the judging panel have now decided “unanimously” against sending Leanne Mohamad through to the final rounds of the competition.
Julie Holness, CEO of the Speakers Trust, alleged that Ms Mohamad had breached “two fundamental rules that are made explicit during the training”. She said: “There are two fundamental rules that are made explicit during the training: the speech must have a positive and uplifting message - in fact this is one of the core terms of the agreement with the Jack Petchey Foundation [and] a speaker should never inflame or offend the audience or insult others and this, by definition, means that propaganda is ruled out absolutely from the outset.
Given that the so-called "two fundamantal rules" are not written as Ms Holness shared them - and also were taken out of context - it is not stated anywhere about an "uplifting message" nor is it stated anywhere about "insulting others" nor any reference to "propaganda" in the topics recommended: Topics (note not rules) should be presented in a positive/constructive manner even if the subject is of a more serious or hard-hitting nature.
How Leanne was supposed to raise the death of her baby cousin who was trapped in Gaza and lacked basic medical aid due to the Apartheid blockade, positive and uplifting is macabre. She did manage to make it a part of her plea for peace and his passing has since been used against her in a cruel and malign fashion. This young person is still a minor and her cousin's death has been very upsetting and yet there are those who believe it is acceptable to slaughter thousands of children, imprison thousands more and in Britain at least censor a young person from speaking out about it in an event designed specifically for young people to speak out!
However controversial the subject, speakers are warned never to offend the audience. Given that the audience gave her a standing ovation and rousing standing ovation at that - there was no signal of offence reported or given, and given that she asked for Birds of Peace instead of Bombs and an uplifting message to free her people; as well as summarizing the traumatic past from which she at her young age has escaped; there is nothing to offend a normal audience, and nowhere is the term "others' mentioned. Also given that the speech was previously, marked voted on and won in another heat - by another panel of judges, and coached by teachers from Speakers Trust - all with no comments or remarks about its eligibility - as there was no offence and they thought it was constructive and positive - it is curious that a new panel voted against it, effectively silencing and deleting the previous panel's decision and also silencing a schoolgirl's story and plea for peace and freedom.
The fact that both the speech and also the video were deleted from record coincides with the deleting of a young girl's story and passion, and also the history and recognition of an entire population and their identity and plight. It contradicts both the basic rights of freedom of speech, the spirit and ethos of the competition, and the democracy of this country. We ask that this speech is reinstated to the competition and given the time and respect it and all those who wrote, supported or coached it deserves.
Leanne has suffered upset and abuse, threats and personal attacks without any protection from this body that describes itself as one that empowers young people and gives them a voice. We the undersigned would see her reinstated and her story widely told.
UPDATE -
After accusing 15 year old Leanne of spreading propaganda and giving grist to the racist mill attacking her, the Foundation changed their story in a statement that blames the VICTIM of the abuse for the abuse instead of the perpetrators; and stated in an effort “to protect her“ that they removed her. Therefore, instead of standing up to the bullying and abuse from the same Zionists whose manipulations and complaints led to her expulsion from the competition; they censored the victim of the abuse and instead of simply turning off the racist notifications on the site they removed the victim and silenced her.
By expelling her from the competition they sided with the racist bullies and abusers.. They also over-ruled their own judges and mentors, the teachers and trainers, all of whom encouraged, edited, rehearsed and supported this young girl as she honed her speech WITHOUT ONE complaint or question mark over content.
How is this meant to empower and embolden bright thoughtful young people? What message does this give? Will this encourage others to Speak Up or Speak Out?
This statement has raised more questions than it has answered.This brave young woman has suffered abuse and name calling from the powerful far right Zionist lobby accusing her, a young Palestinian Semite of Anti Semitism and trying to silence her voice.
It is wonderful to see the support of so many humanitarians rallying to her cause to be heard, we are grateful for the supportive words from many, including the prominent Jewish human rights activist Norman Finkelstein….
”I find this episode appalling. What's going on across the pond? Have the Brits lost all their marbles? If a Jewish girl memorialized her family who perished in the Nazi holocaust, would she be disqualified on the ground that her presentation wasn't uplifting or might have offended a Teutonic nationalist? My goodness, not even a diminutive Winston Churchill would have passed muster with these judges. I once appeared on UK's Hard Talk to debate the Israel-Palestine topic. The presenter wouldn't let me speak. One viewer called the program "Hard to Talk." Maybe this competition should be rechristened, Speak Out--At Your Peril!“
Read more
Allison CarmichaelFrance
7,082 supporters
Created May 30, 2016
Petition to Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
As supporters of press freedom and human rights, we are asking that Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez, who is currently being held in the Federal Detention Center in Sierra Blanca, Texas, not be deported to Mexico.
Mr. Gutierrez, who is the recipient of the National Press Club’s 2017 John Aubuchon Award for Press Freedom, has been living in the United States for nine years since fleeing Mexico. His reports on abuses by the Mexican military in his hometown forced him to flee for his life. He sought asylum in the U.S., but his request was recently denied. Mr. Gutierrez and much of the journalism community believe that he will be killed upon return to Mexico if he is deported.
We urge the U.S. government to find a place for him here in the States or allow him to transit to a third country where he will be safe. Mr. Gutierrez has no criminal record. He and his son Oscar have supported themselves in the food service industry while living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They willingly surrendered in El Paso on December 7 and were handcuffed and taken to the facility at Sierra Blanca 90 miles away from their attorney in El Paso. Mr. Gutierrez and Oscar were moved back to the detention facility in El Paso on December 12.
Please sign this petition to prevent Emilio's deportation before it's too late. #freeemilioRead more
Justin LyonsCharlotte, NC, United States
100,191 supporters
Created December 11, 2017
Petition to Don Obilor
disunity and hatred in a multicultural nation that Nigeria is.
Preventing him from winning the AllRead more
Charles OgundeleAbuja, Nigeria
47,078 supporters
Created January 5, 2023
Petition to Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Comcast, Warner Brothers, SONY, STARZ , Lionsgate , Hulu , Syfy , FOX Broadcasting Company, Peacock TV, NBC Universal, Viacom CBS, History Channel, MasterpiecePBS , Apple, TNT...
, David O'Leary and Sean Jablonski.
Winning the ASC Award for the episode "The Flatwoods Monster", theRead more
Carsten KrikorkaKöln, Deutschland
36,091 supporters
Created May 7, 2020
Petition to Wellington Pub Co
Terry Tuffen and Emma Buckley were granted a temporary lease to prove they could get The Winning business with the new and enthusiastic management, as has already been shown. The Winning Horse is aRead more
Tori RussellUnited Kingdom
1,046 supporters
Created October 26, 2019
Petition to The Government in Bangladesh and relevant authorities
This petition demands the release of Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat. The two award winning MyanmarRead more
David BrennerUnited Kingdom
7,514 supporters
Created September 15, 2017
Petition to HBO, Netflix
HBO has decided to cancel one of their best shows, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers DynastyRead more
Joel YeLouisville, KY, United States
6,938 supporters
Created September 17, 2023
Petition to Sarafina Rose
**PLEASE DO NOT DONATE MONEY CHANGE.ORG KEEPS FUNDS***
Introduction
To Whom It May Concern,The graduating class of May 2021 has faced many challenges. At the forefront of those challenges was facing completing our journey to becoming nurses during a pandemic outbreak. Due to our current circumstances, coming together in large groups has been limited because of potential exposure to COVID-19. It has taken our student's time, effort, and perseverance to get to graduation. The culmination of our actions and celebration of what we have accomplished is celebrated during our pinning ceremony. We propose to offer an environmentally safe pinning ceremony well deserved by the Eastview Campus cohort.
Proposal
Due to concerns from last semester's pinning ceremony, it has been decided that this semester's pinning ceremony should be held online. Although we understand that all precautions need to be taken, our cohort should not be held responsible for past semesters' actions. Therefore we propose that a socially distanced and shortened in-person pinning ceremony take place. Students will be allowed to participate online or in person. We will have live streaming via GoogleMeets for those who want to participate online. Masks are to be worn at all times, and seating will be spaced at 6x6 feet apart from each other. There will be one faculty speaker and one student speaker to limit our time in an enclosed environment. The "Thank you's" and photos submitted by our students will be streamed on a screen via PowerPoint during the ceremony, again to limit our time. After one faculty and one student speaker have finished their speeches, students will be asked to rise and pin themselves. Our ceremony will be completed after pinning and should take 30 minutes or less to accomplish, and a live stream will be available for family and friends to watch.
Conclusion
Please understand that we present this proposal respectfully. We know that the Austin Community College faculty and staff are trying to keep our student body as safe as possible. We also understand that the previous semester didn't adhere to their standards, but our cohort does not want to be punished for their actions. Our students have worked just as hard as the Fall graduating semester did, and we would like the opportunity to celebrate our achievements as they were able to. COVID in Austin was at Stage 5 when the previous semester graduated, and as we are now at Stage 2, we believe that our proposal is more than reasonable. We appreciate being able to voice our views and opinions about this topic and hope our proposal is considered.Read more
Sarafina LedesmaAustin, TX, United States
207 supporters
Created April 8, 2021
Petition to Mark Robinson
First of all CONGRATULATIONS to the Black Ferns!
It does not seem fair that the Black Ferns have played to a sell-out crowd at Eden Park won the Rugby World Cup and do not receive a bonus, by comparison, the All Blacks received a $150,000 bonus when they won the rugby world cup in 2015.
#CmonNZRugby #ShowthemthemoneyRead more
Michelle KirraneNew Zealand
10,577 supporters
Created November 12, 2022
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