Coronavirus Epidemic

  The Disabled Student Union, Teaching Assistants, and students/student-workers of UCLA have the following demands: All in-person lectures be live-streamed with students having the choice to go in person or attend the live-stream Not mandating in-person attendance for students and teaching assistants Providing recordings of classes for students with the modified attendance accommodation and for students with COVID-19 Ensuring closed captioning (not auto-captioning) is accessible for all recording and live-streams as compliant with WCAG guidelines and ADA requirements Approving all TA (teaching assistant) and faculty requests to teach and hold discussion sections remotely Disabled, immunocompromised, and otherwise concerned students and employees of UCLA deserve to work and learn under safe conditions. Anxieties abound as the delta variant of SARS-CoV-19 takes hold across the country, making both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans ill. But UCLA is denying requests to learn and work remotely. The administration also refuses to implement hybrid course models that would allow for equitable access. In trying to adhere to their dangerous promise of nearly all in-person instruction, UCLA is putting all students at risk and failing to meet the needs of disabled students.  Disabled students requested remote learning access for years prior to the pandemic; we were told it was too difficult and expensive to implement. The immediate switch to remote instruction in March 2020 proved that these accommodations were possible the entire time. Even without Covid, disabled students have difficulty making it to courses in person and/or have symptom flares that require them to miss class. It is not too difficult to accommodate this: UCLA already has the infrastructure for hybrid and remote instruction, via Bruincast and Zoom. It is essential that all courses utilize these tools to provide remote access so that all students can have equal access to education.  The Center for Accessible Education at UCLA asserts that requesting remote learning accommodations can be denied if it "fundamentally alters the nature of the course." Apparently, any form of learning remotely “fundamentally alters the nature of the course.” If that's the case, then every class between March 2020 and June 2021 was "fundamentally altered” –– yet UCLA charged full tuition rates. Charging full tuition for this coursework implies that UCLA considered these classes equivalent to standard in-person work in quality and efficiency. There's no reason that that would not continue to be the case going into the 2021-2022 academic year. UCLA administration only sees remote study/work as reasonable if administrators feel unsafe––never mind the safety of high-risk Bruins. According to UCLA’s Faculty FAQ document, "Classes cannot be changed to remote modality based on … generalized concerns about classroom ventilation or potential virus transmission … [or] immunocompromised or unvaccinated family members." In other words, even faculty hesitant to go in-person due to safety concerns are not allowed to conduct their courses remotely. This is a potential violation of OSHA and ADA guidelines. Students have even less power: We're being told that after a full year of remote learning, it's suddenly too difficult to let us learn from home. Many of us are being denied remote learning accommodations, even for classes required to graduate. Or, the university advises students to drop out until the pandemic subsides. Both of these options jeopardize the education and livelihood of students on financial aid or scholarships. This also forces disabled students to delay their careers or graduate school, harming their earning potential. UCLA is shutting out disabled students, faculty, and TAs in the middle of a pandemic. UCLA is prioritizing the goal of in-person instruction over protecting our lives. We deserve to learn and work where we feel safe: Tell UCLA to require remote access to ALL courses and approve ALL faculty requests for remote work!    

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists and our partners call on governments to release all journalists from their prisons. On behalf of more than 250 journalists behind bars, we call on authorities to free these political prisoners immediately and unconditionally. For journalists jailed in countries affected by the virus, freedom is now a matter of life and death. Imprisoned journalists have no control over their surroundings, cannot choose to isolate, and are often denied necessary medical care. The World Health Organization states that “People deprived of their liberty, and those living or working in enclosed environments in their close proximity, are likely to be more vulnerable to the COVID-19 disease than the general population.” Global press freedom and human rights organizations are calling on world leaders to immediately release all imprisoned journalists. Add your voice to the call and sign our petition today! Click here for a full list of partner organizations Translations Español En medio de la pandemia provocada por el COVID-19, el Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas (CPJ, por su siglas en inglés) insta a los Gobiernos a liberar de las cárceles a todos los periodistas. En nombre de los más de 250 periodistas en prisión, hacemos un llamamiento a las autoridades a liberar de manera inmediata e incondicional a estos presos políticos. Para los periodistas encarcelados en países afectados por el virus, la libertad ahora es una cuestión de vida o muerte. Los periodistas encarcelados no tienen ningún control sobre su entorno, no pueden optar por el aislamiento voluntario, y a menudo se les niega la atención médica necesaria. La Organización Mundial de la Salud ha declarado: “Las personas privadas de su libertad, y aquéllas que viven o trabajan en ambientes cerrados muy cerca de estas personas, son más vulnerables que el resto de la población a la enfermedad provocada por el COVID-19." Las organizaciones defensoras de los derechos humanos y la libertad de prensa de todo el mundo están instando a los líderes mundiales a liberar inmediatamente a todos los periodistas encarcelados. ¡Sume su voz a este llamamiento y suscriba nuestra petición hoy! Portuguese Em meio à pandemia provocada pelo COVID-19, o Comitê para a Proteção dos Jornalistas (CPJ) insta os governos a libertar todos os jornalistas que estão em seus cárceres. Em nome de mais de 250 jornalistas atrás das grades, pedimos às autoridades que libertem esses presos políticos de forma imediata e incondicional. Para jornalistas presos em países afetados pelo vírus, a liberdade é agora uma questão de vida ou morte. Jornalistas aprisionados não têm controle sobre seu ambiente, não podem escolher isolar-se e geralmente não recebem os cuidados médicos necessários. A Organização Mundial da Saúde declara que “as pessoas privadas de liberdade e as que vivem ou trabalham em ambientes fechados, proximidade a ela, são mais vulneráveis ​​à doença provocada pelo COVID-19 do que a população em geral." As organizações globais de liberdade de imprensa e direitos humanos estão pedindo aos líderes mundiais que libertem imediatamente todos os jornalistas presos. Adicione sua voz ao apelo e assine nossa petição hoje! Turkish Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi içinde bulunduğumuz COVID-19 salgını durumunda tüm devletleri hapishanelerindeki tüm gazetecileri serbest bırakmaya çağırıyor. Parmaklıklar ardında bulunan 250’nin üzerinde gazeteci adına yetkilileri bu politik mahkumları derhal ve koşulsuz olarak serbest bırakma çağrısı yapıyoruz. Virüsten etkilenen ülkelerin hapishanelerindeki gazeteciler için özgürlük artık bir ölüm kalım meselesi. Hapisteki gazeteciler çevrelerini kontrol edemezler, kendilerini izole etme kararı alamazlar ve sıklıkla gerekli tıbbi tedaviden yoksun bırakılırlar. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü açıklamasında belirtildiği üzere: “Özgürlüklerinden mahrum bırakılan insanlar ve kapalı alanlarda onlara yakın mesafede yaşayan ve çalışanlar COVID-19 hastalığına karşı toplumun genelinden daha korunmasız olabilirler.” Dünya çapında basın özgürlüğü ve insan hakları örgütleri dünya liderlerine hapisteki tüm gazetecileri derhal serbest bırakma çağrısı yapıyor. Sesinizi çağrımıza katın ve dilekçemizi bugün imzalayın!  Français En plein pandémie de COVID-19, le Comité pour la protection des journalistes appelle tous les gouvernements à libérer tous les journalistes détenus dans leurs prisons. Au nom de plus de 250 journalistes derrière les barreaux, nous appelons les autorités à libérer ces prisonniers politiques immédiatement  et sans condition. Pour les journalistes emprisonnés dans des pays touchés par le virus, la liberté est désormais une question de vie ou de mort. Les journalistes emprisonnés n’ont aucun contrôle sur leur environnement, ne peuvent pas choisir de s’isoler et sont souvent privés des soins médicaux nécessaires. L’Organisation mondiale de la Santé déclare que « Les personnes privées de leur liberté et celles qui vivent ou travaillent en milieu clos à proximité de ces personnes sont plus vulnérables que le reste de la population face à la maladie à virus COVID-19 ». Les organisations mondiales de défense de la liberté de la presse et des droits de l’homme appellent les dirigeants mondiaux à libérer immédiatement tous les journalistes emprisonnés. Joignez-vous à cet appel et signez notre pétition dès aujourd’hui! Russian В разгар пандемии COVID-19 Комитет по защите журналистов призывает все правительства освободить всех журналистов из тюрем. От имени более 250 журналистов за решеткой мы призываем власти немедленно и безоговорочно освободить этих политических заключенных. Для журналистов, заключенных в тюрьмы в странах, затронутых вирусом, свобода стала вопросом жизни и смерти. Заключенные журналисты не имеют возможности контролировать ситуацию вокруг них, не могут изолироваться, и им часто отказывают в необходимой медицинской помощи. Согласно заявлению Всемирной организации здравоохранения «люди, находящиеся в местах лишения свободы – равно как и люди, живущие или работающие в закрытой среде, в непосредственной близости друг к другу, более уязвимы перед COVID-19, чем население в целом». Глобальные организации по свободе прессы и правам человека призывают мировых лидеров немедленно освободить всех заключенных журналистов. Добавьте свой голос и подпишите нашу петицию сегодня! Farsi در میانه‌ی بحران همه گیری کویید-۱۹، کمیته‌ی حفاظت از روزنامه‌نگاران از تمام دولت‌ها می‌خواهد که هرچه سریع‌تر روزنامه‌نگاران دربند را آزاد کنند. از طرف بیش از ۲۵۰ روزنامه‌نگاری که پشت میله‌های زندان هستند از مسئولان می‌خواهیم که این زندانیان سیاسی را سریعا و بی قید و شرط آزاد کنند.  برای روزنامه‌نگارانی که در کشورهای درگیر ویروس کرونا زندانی هستند، آزادی حکم مرگ و زندگی را دارد. روزنامه‌نگاران دربند اختیار کنترل شرایط خود را ندارند،‌ نمی‌توانند تصمیم به ایزوله کردن خود بگیرند و کمک‌های پزشکی از ایشان دریغ می‌شود. سازمان بهداشت جهانی می‌گوید: «افرادی که آزادی از ایشان سلب شده است و در محیط‌های بسته زندگی یا کار می‌کنند،‌ در برابر بیماری کویید-۱۹ آسیب پذیرتر از سایرین هستند.» سازمان‌های جهانی آزادی مطبوعات وحقوق بشر از تمام رهبران جهان می‌خواهند که همه‌ی روزنامه‌نگاران دربند را هرچه سریع‌تر آزاد کنند. همین امروز طومار ما را امضا کنید و صدای خود را به فریاد افراد خواهان آزادی روزنامه‌نگاران دربند بیفزایید. Arabic في وسط جائحة كوفيد-19، تطالب لجنة حماية الصحفيين جميع الحكومات بالإفراج عن جميع الصحفيين من السجون. ونيابة عن أكثر من 250 صحفياً سجيناً، نطالب السلطات بالإفراج عن هؤلاء السجناء السياسيين فوراً ودون شروط. وبالنسبة للصحفيين السجناء في البلدان المتأثرة بالفيروس، باتت الحرية الآن مسألة حياة أو موت. ولا يملك الصحفيون السجناء أي سيطرة على الأوضاع المحيطة بهم، ولا يمكنهم أن يقرروا عزل أنفسهم، وغالباً ما يُحرمون من الرعاية الطبية الضرورية. وصرحت منظمة الصحة العالمية بأن "الأشخاص المحرومين من حريتهم، وأولئك الذين يعيشون أو يعملون في بيئات مقفلة في محيطهم المباشر، من المرجح أن يكونوا أكثر عرضة للإصابة بمرض كوفيد-19 مقارنة مع عموم الجمهور". وتطالب المنظمات العالمية المعنية بحرية الصحافة وحقوق الإنسان قادة العالم بالإفراج فوراً عن جميع الصحفيين السجناء. ضم صوتك إلى هذه الدعوة ووقع على العريضة اليوم!

With COVID-19 having more and more reported cases everyday, businesses are closing their doors, people are out of work with no way of knowing how long conditions will last. Americans are struggling to pay bills and support their families. Matters are only going to get worse the longer this pandemic continues. By signing this petition and contributing whatever you can spare, we will work together to not only get this issue put on the agenda, but we will speak to congress, expressing just how much us, the American people, are hurting.  But supplying Americans with monthly support ( $2000 dollar minimum per person) until they can get back on their feet can save our communities from financial ruin.We need immediate checks and recurring payments so that we can keep our heads above water.  Congress needs to make sure that we won’t be left financially ruined for doing our part to keep the country healthy.

PA State Governor Tom Wolf has used the threat of the COVID-19 virus to enact Emergency Powers in order to effectively usurp both the Federal and PA State Constitutions, as well as deny the Citizens of Pennsylvania the basic common Rights deemed "unalienable" by our founding fathers. These include the Freedom of Assembly, Commerce, Travel, Unwarranted Search and Seizure,  to earn a wage. These measures are in violation of: US Constitution, Amendment 1 and 14 PA Constitution, Article 1 Section 1, 2, 3, 8, 12 PA Code 7301 While many of us were expecting an end to these draconian measures being taken in the very near future, it seems as if Tom Wolf has no plan to do what is best for the Citizens of Pennsylvania. Instead he has helped create- and will now sit as a member on- an un-elected "Multi-State Counsel" including the Governors of New York, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island to decide if and when us free people should be allowed to resume our rights and freedom from an oppressive, tyrannical government. It seems as if Tom Wolf has lost track of the unemployment website and phone lines not working, the millions that have filed for unemployment, the small businesses about to close their doors and struggling with debt, and the tipped employee that is unable to pay their bills.  We common Citizens are tired of the overreaching and tyranny of Governor Tom Wolf. He is treating the common man as a subject, rather than a Citizen with unalienable rights. We demand our small businesses be opened, our Citizens put back to work, our freedom to travel, to earn a wage, our livelihood, and control of our lives be returned to the common man, the Citizen of Pennsylvania. I am tired of the inept leadership and the fumbling away of our rights. We can put PA back to work, and save lives at the same time. Lets Recall Governor Tom Wolf's Emergency Declaration- and get PA back to Work! #OPENPA