Topic

Racial Justice

14,437 petitions
1,765 new supporters this week

Petition to Saratoga Springs City Council, Jim Miller, Jani Iwamoto, Sherrilyn Ifill

Justice for Darrien Hunt - Reopen his case

Back in 2014, a young man named Darrien Hunt recently turned 22 years old when he was unjustly murdered for cosplaying an anime character. Hunt was carrying a $30 display sword that was purchased at a local Asian City store in the Saratoga Springs area. For those who don't know Cosplaying is "costume play" dressing up as different characters from tv shows,movies, and even books. He was chased then shot from behind 6 times by officers Cpl. Matthew Schauerhamer and Officer Nicholas Judson outside of a Panda Express parking lot in Saratoga Springs, Utah. State autopsy results reveal Hunt was not attacking. The evidence was caught on the restaurant’s cameras.  His mother, Susan Hunt, said she had turned down a $900,000 offer to settle her wrongful death lawsuit against the city. Court records show the settlement proposal also included a gag order, barring her from commenting about the case.  The Utah County Attorney's Office, however, ruled the shooting was justified, saying Schauerhamer and Judson felt their lives were threatened by Darrien Hunt. Let’s get his case reopened and get justice for his family!

Taylor Sweeney
924,314 supporters
122 new supporters this week

Petition to Bridgeport Police Department

justice for Lauren Smith-Fields

Yet another Black woman who’s case is going ignored and unsolved. Lauren Smith-Fields was found dead in her apartment after a Bumble date with “an older white man” on December 12th 2021. Her family has said she wasn’t a drug user. Her date was the last to see her alive, yet police say he doesn’t need to be investigated and his identity is unknown. Her family was very unhappy with the way her case was handled and even paid for a second autopsy themselves. No more work on this case has been done after almost a month. Her story is  not being shared enough and isn’t getting the attention it desperately needs.  Please sign this petition for justice for Lauren Smith-Fields!

anonymous _
65,264 supporters
328 new supporters this week

Petition to

Stop the Execution of Richard Moore AGAIN

On January 5th, 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court will hear lawyers argue the constitutionality of executions by the firing squad and electric chair as modes of execution in South Carolina. This means Richard Moore, a death row inmate who’s sentencing was temporarily halted in April, is in danger of being executed once again. Mr. Moore was convicted and sentenced to death for the alleged murder of a white male store owner by an all white jury (11 White and 1 Latino) during what was reported to be a robbery.  Mr. Moore entered a convenience store unarmed with no intent to kill, and did not own the gun that was fired during the altercation. The owner of the store was killed during the incident.  During the 2021 legislative session, South Carolina state lawmakers passed a law that would require death row inmates to choose between the electric chair or a firing squad, with electrocution the default if they declined to choose. Moore was forced to make the decision to die by the state’s 110-year-old electric chair or a three-man firing squad, of which he chose firing squad. Moore would be the first person South Carolina has put to death since 2011.  But, in September of 2022, Circuit Court Judge Jocelyn Newman, found both the firing squad and electric chair unconstitutional due deeming them cruel and unusual. Judge Newman wrote in her opinion regarding the reinstatement of these execution methods, “In doing so, the General Assembly ignored advances in scientific research and evolving standards of humanity and decency.” People of color have accounted for a disproportionate 43 % of total executions since 1976 and 55 % of those currently awaiting execution. Furthermore, since October 2002, 12 people have been executed where the defendant was white and the murder victim black, compared with 178 black defendants executed for murders with white victims. In a state known for wrongfully convicting the youngest person in American history to death, 14 year old George Stinney, the reinstatement of these methods are barbaric, démodé, and must be abolished. We demand justice for Richard Moore and request that he be granted clemency.

Courtney McClain
35,425 supporters
37 new supporters this week

Petition to Rhode Island Governer Gina Raimondo

Reduced Sentencing for Esteban "Steven" Carpio

We the Carpio family are looking for relief to get the current life sentencing of 42 year old Esteban "Steven" Carpio reduced to have a possibility of parole. Steven has been in prison in Rhode Island at The Rhode Island Maximum Security Prison in Cranston, RI since 2005 after having a mental breakdown that resulted in his detainment and the death of Rhode Island Detective James Allen. We believe that the events leading to the incident and trail were rooted in a general neglect and prejudice towards people of color. News articles paint him as a monster cop killer filled with falsehoods about the events leading to the death of Allen as well as events afterwards.     With a history of mental health issues in our family Steven had fallen ill in 2005 even leaving his home in Rhode Island to visit us in Boston, Massachusetts distraught and frantic for relief. I remember less than two weeks before the incident, as a child, my brother laying face down on our living room couch with my mother sitting with him trying to soothe his racing thoughts. He was hearing and seeing things that were not there the "devil" and "demons" trying to invade his mind leaving him with no chance for reprieve. Hoping to get help for him my mother brought him to a local hospital where he was checked on. The most that was done for him was him receiving some sleeping medication even after being placed in a locked padded room. Though he was dangerous enough to be restrained the hospital released him back into the world where within the next two weeks he was found after having knocked over a elderly woman and seen by eye witnesses to be pacing back and forth. Being detained and placed into a room not normally used for interrogations, no video or audio recordings being taken, he was being pressured into admitting to things he hadn't done all while under intense emotional and mental duress. Feeling threatened by the officer in front of him a struggle ensued resulting in the death of Allen where Steven then leapt out of a second story window hobbling away with broken bones where he was arrested over an hour later with no resistance. A mentally unstable man then was beaten nearly half to death by officers in the Rhode Island Police Department brought into trial with a broken jaw and a face mask to cover it up. A full police force presence for the trail made it almost impossible for him to receive a fair and just sentencing.  News articles are inconsistent and filled with lies about how the events transpired, there is not even any true evidence of the crime because of the shady way that the police handled the incident. Hospitals did not give him the proper treatment he deserved or needed and let a individual who was possibly dangerous to himself and others back into the populous. We truly believe that if he had not been a person of color somewhere along the line with multiple hospital visits he would have been held or placed into a specialized mental health facility. Maybe if he had not been a person of color they would have had him in a room with recording devices where there would be evidence of abuse from officers instead of a "cop killer's" words against a police force. Even if this was not an issue of race there were multiple points along the way were my brother was handled inappropriately and obvious misconduct from the Rhode Island Police.         We just want the possibility for our Steven to come out of this a better man and a chance to live his life. Since in prison he has been on anti-psychotics and done everything he could to stay out of trouble. He has never seen his own son outside of a courtroom or prison visitations. As a family we miss him and want to see him cutting hair in a barbershop and making music like he always had been. He is not a malicious or evil person, he was just sick and needed help like so many others with mental health issues, a Schizophrenic ignored and abused by the system because of low social status, race, etc.. We hope with the support of the people we can get notice from the RI Gov. and Steven can at least have a chance of being able to after 15 years embrace his family and see his daughter graduate from college, and his son from high school as a free man.Thank you for your time, and any support you can give.    The Google Drive document below is a copy of a letter sent to the Governor's Office in Rhode Island outlining the time of events and what we hope for our Steven, though we never received acknowledgement of the letter being accepted https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AvFwtlB-GWB_-q4pKe4gnfwK7N8Aahde/view?usp=sharing

Juan Carpio
136,640 supporters
Update posted 1 hour ago

Petition to Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., Florida Board of Education

Include Asian American history to K-12 Education Curriculum in Florida

The rise of anti-Asian hate crimes throughout the United States since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic has been troubling, both to me personally and to this great nation as a whole.  As an Asian American, it has been devastating to see American citizens attacked in the streets due only to their Asian heritage. Our elderly have even been attacked and murdered.   The events of 2020 continue to play out in 2021, teaching us a valuable and unforgettable lesson. Racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes have no place in our society.   The shooting in Atlanta brought these atrocities to the world stage, but unfortunately, these horrors have been going on for far too long.  Asian Americans are American. The history of Asian Americans, including their struggles and ongoing contribution to this country, is American history. Despite this, Asian American history is not taught in our school system.  Our children grow up with a gap in their knowledge of history. As we’ve seen all too often, this lack of information is dangerous. By adding Asian American history to our educational curriculum, we can ensure that all students gain a better understanding of Asian Americans. Through education, both current and future generations can empathize with the triumphs and challenges of Asian Americans and appreciate what they’ve done to add to this red, white, and blue melting pot that we call the United States.  It is through knowledge that we can combat hate. For it is in ignorance that hatred is born.  To that end, we must educate our youth and include Asian American History in the Florida public school curriculum.  Knowledge is power, and we can empower our youth with it. We encourage Commissioner Diaz to include Asian American History in our K-12 curriculum. Even if you don’t live in Florida, these changes matter and can impact the entire country. Help us make the change!  Thank you for your consideration and support of an inclusive, empathetic, and united society with liberty and justice for all.  Please sign and share this petition! Follow us on facebook Please visit our website for a list of legislators who have supported our initiative. Thank you to our supporting Organizations Multicultural Dimensions NAAAP Tampa Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple Orlando Queer and Trans Asian Association The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association NAACP Orange County, FL Branch NAAAP Young Democrats of Orange County Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. R.E.A.C.H of Central Florida Florida Asian American Student Union AAPI Youth Rising Asia Trend, Inc. Florida Policy Institute FSU Filipino Student Association UUSINC The Greater Orlando Chinese Professionals Association FSU AASU Sparks Magazine at UCF Palestinian Student Association at UCF Muslim Student Association at UCF The Asian American Education Project MASA Fund Asian Organizations for Muslim, Arab, Desi Inclusivity Chinese Student and Scholar Association at University of Miami Asian American Student Association at the University of Miami League of Women Voters Florida Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans Networking for Hindu Professionals SFL Stetson Asian Pacific American Coalition Thai American Association of South Florida Inc ACE Talk Florida Asian Services Asian Caribbean Exchange OCA South Florida Florida Asian Women Alliance Asian American Federation of Florida - South Region Flipiino American Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce National Asian American PAC, FL House of Leaf & Bean, Inc Femme Fire Books 

Mimi Chan
15,053 supporters
Update posted 21 hours ago

Petition to Mitt Romney, Curtis S. Bramble

Utah ICE Separated Me from My Son-Demand Reunion

BACKGROUND My immigration story in Utah started back at Weber State University,The You are welcome to read from other online sources: More on this story here. Or here! The University has since deleted the online articles linking to the events, but the trauma the situation caused me remains. The University's damage caused my dependents, including Chris, my son, to lose their immigration status. He was covered under DACA when Obama was President. However, when Trump took over, there was a timeframe during which USCIS returned my son's DACA application due to "policy changes." WSU story on Tiktok here: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd2wnbh8/ If you open the "I Oppose Injustice" and "Blasphemy" playlists, you'll see the rest of the videos recording the hate attacks I overcame in Utah. Thank you. What the community needs to know: 1.Utah Sim Gill's Office framed my son for a deportable crime and then failed to appear. I say frame because he claimed my son committed a crime. At least two times, Utah Sim Gill's Office failed to appear, and the judge dismissed the case.. How the framing happened 2. Many of my son's experiences connect to his being a Black man. Considering the stories we hear about police brutality and disparate treatment of Black and Brown men in the US, my son's case should not have been managed in Utah by the people constantly trying to destroy his mother's life. Utah's racist past is its present ! 3. My son is one of the patients in Utah who has been harmed by opioid misprescriptions. Utah DA Sim Gill filed a lawsuit and collected funds for this injury. Unfortunately, the Utah government triggered his deportation. ICE's deportation ignored my son' Utah opioid injuries,  shifting the burden onto me and my over-80-year-old mother  Chris is doing well.  Please tell Utah government officials that this is hate and it needs to stop immediately.  More here on Free Money 4. Many women have to make difficult choices after rape. After my ex raped me, I chose to keep my son (I am not assigning a value to how other women make choices - just sharing my experience). My son is away every family gathering and holiday season, and the rape and other Utah wounds have become new. It's the time when my PTSD trauma multiplies. Tell Utah Government officials you are aware they did not create my PTSD. But also let them know they have made it worse. 5. Matt Hall is the Utah ICE Government Immigration Attorney.  Learn about Matt Hall here   Utah ICE denied my son a hearing and deported him with the injuries he sustained in Utah without the family saying goodbye! Matt Hall is the exact attorney who lost to the Board of Immigration Appeals his battle to try to deport me in a case sparked by Weber State's "computer glitch." Stop Utah ICE from doing more harm! 6. I called Mitt Romney's and Spencer Cox's offices, explaining that the family separation caused by Utah ICE exacerbates my PTSD. I explained that I believe that deporting my son is retaliation at many levels, including the one I listed above. They said they would step in once I filed a USICIS petition for my son. I did and informed them about the filing. They have not responded to my emails and phone calls. Here is the email address of the individual I spoke with, Jessica at Jessica_Christopher@lee-romney.senate.gov. And here is what Jessica said on Tuesday, the 11th of May, 2021, at 12:43 am: "I did check with my colleagues who also work on immigration issues to see if they saw any way we could help. After reviewing the information you provided, they agreed that unless an application is pending with USCIS or the State Department, there is nothing we can do at this time. " Please ask them to follow through on their promise in this email. Note: Mitt Romney Spoke for Harsh Treatment Towards Migrants 7. Utah Government claims a "compassionate stance" towards migrant families. Yet, they are outspoken about minimizing mental health support for PTSD patients and others. Where is their compassion? Why are they destroying non-white families, destabilizing their mental health? 8. Ask them to face the truth. Address the root cause of the problem. For example, Utah ICE did not need to deport my son. DHS had allowed him to stay in the country when Obama was President. The same conditions that allowed his stay then should have allowed him to stay when Trump was the President, but that did not occur. 9. My son does not deserve this cruelty! I do not deserve this hate! Dealing with PTSD triggers is difficult, but having a government exacerbate mental illness should be objectionable.Please call or write them about the reunion date with my son. You can give them my contact information: vsethunya@gmail.com or 801-462-9030. https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdjNhLaA/ Thank you! Sincerely,  Victoria Sethunya Governor Spencer Cox:801-538-1000Senator Mitt Romney:(801)- 524-4380(202)- 224-5251 Email Romney: Jessica_Christopher@lee-romney.senate.gov  

Victoria Sethunya
64,051 supporters
Update posted 4 days ago

Petition to President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden

Pardon Timothy McGruder-Who Was Wrongfully Convicted And Is Serving A Life Sentence

        Timothy McGruder v. C. Gomez   Case Number 20-6265 In 1996, a gang saw a car full of children and parents who were part of a carpool, sitting at an Amoco. The gang knew that the driver was from a rival gang. So they shot up the car. Sadly, while many were injured, a four-year-old was murdered. They thought that the other passengers of the car were members of a rival gang, not children. Still, an innocent life was selfishly taken.  The case went unsolved until 2001. Timothy McGruder and two other people were convicted without evidence based on a plea deal. A man named Rico was involved in crimes along with his brother, which involved drug trafficking, and they were facing life in prison. So, in order to get a lesser sentence, Rico pinned the crime on three people, including Timothy. They didn’t have federal jurisdiction in order to convict Timothy. He was originally indicted on a drug conspiracy, the same indictment they gave the three people who framed Timothy. Before the trial began, one of Timothy’s co- defendant’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case because the statute of limitations had been reached. The prosecutor, Jeff Paulson, lied and said that they had just REFERENCED the drug conspiracy, which is illegal. Timothy's attorney was Keith Ellison, who is the AG of Minnesota now. Keith Ellison didn't show up until 30 minutes into the court hearing. While Mr. Ellison did a good job at proving that Rico was behind the hit that ordered the shootout, he did not do an efficient job at proving Timothy's innocence. First of all, Timothy was already in prison due to drug-related charges when Rico ordered the hit. Secondly, Mr. Ellison violated Timothy's 6th Amendment Rights by not allowing him to speak. Timothy had an alibi, he was at his Aunt's house drunk the night the shootout happened. Mr. Ellison only called one witness, Timothy's cousin, who was paid $20 by Timothy to clean up after him after Timothy threw up all over his Aunt's floor due to him being drunk. But, there were other witnesses. As I said, Mr. Ellison did not call them to the stand. So, again, while he provided enough proof as to who was behind the hit, he hardly spent any time proving that Timothy had NOTHING to do with that tragic shootout. In Jeff Paulson’s closing argument, he said that Timothy’s cousin wasn’t a credible witness because he had prior convictions, which had nothing to do with Timothy’s case and were minor convictions. He also held up pictures of Timothy’s cousin along with Timothy’s brother, who was in a rap group at the time. Jeff Paulson lied and said that they were in a gang. Timothy’s lawyer, Keith Ellison, once again, said nothing. Timothy has been serving over 20 years of a life sentence for a crime he didn't commit, all because of a lawyer who didn't take his case seriously. Now, Mr. Ellison gets to enjoy being Attorney General of Minnesota, while Timothy has missed out on seeing his son and grandkids. This is all too common when it comes to black men and women who have been falsely accused and their lawyers don't take their cases seriously. This petition is for the United States Supreme Court since Timothy is in federal prison and only they can pardon it when he appeals it. (Or President Joe Biden.) Please grant Timothy McGruder clemency. It's been over 20 years for a crime he did not commit. No one deserves this. No one.    

Sarah DeArmond
1,578 supporters
Update posted 5 days ago

Petition to

Tell Riverhead School Board Member Downs to Rescind Stereotypical Brentwood Comments

On March 24, 2023, Riverhead Local wrote an article covering the March 18 meeting of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association. During this meeting concerning public safety, Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs made a derogatory comment regarding the community of Brentwood, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting discrimination. This behavior is unacceptable and goes against the values of our community.    “I’m afraid,” Downs said. “Look, we got a lot of Latino kids. We do have those gangs in our school. They haven’t started up yet. But if they do, as I said at the meeting, I don’t want us becoming a Brentwood,” Downs said... “[those gangs] They just beat each other up. These are kids that chop off heads and shit,” she said. “And that scares me.” Downs had made exaggerated claims about the level of gang violence in Riverhead, with her anecdotal stories confirmed to have not been supported by police reports. In an interview Wednesday, Downs could not point to other specific incidents, but stood by her comments. She said she’s “heard about the incidents from community members and read about them on Facebook.”  By sensationalizing the issue of gang violence, Downs has contributed to a harmful narrative that perpetuates fear and misunderstanding. This type of rhetoric only serves to reinforce negative stereotypes and promote discrimination against communities like Brentwood. While it is important to address the issue of gang violence, Down's statements only serve to stigmatize and further marginalize already vulnerable communities. At the District 1 Youth Advisory Board, we are committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity in all aspects of our work. We will continue to advocate for marginalized communities and against all forms of discrimination. We as an organization believe: [1] This statement sensationalizes the issue of gang violence and stigmatizes marginalized communities; [2] Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs should not use her leadership position as a platform for harmful and dangerous rhetoric; [3] Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs should immediately apologize and retract her statements made concerning the community of Brentwood We call on Ms. Downs to apologize for her comments and to take steps to educate herself on the realities and strengths of the Brentwood community. We also urge the Riverhead School Board to take appropriate action to address this matter and to ensure that all board members uphold the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect. We stand together as members of the Brentwood community and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or prejudice. We hope that this incident will serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting mutual understanding.    

Distict 1 Youth Advisory Board
856 supporters