Tag Archives: California

My son was shot and killed at UC Santa Barbara in May of this year.

Why did Chris die? He died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. I said it the day after my son was murdered, and sadly it’s still true today.

What has changed is that millions of Americans like you have stepped up to demand more of our country and its elected officials: Not. One. More.

And it’s working. Here in California, with the help of Everytown, we passed a law that will temporarily suspend somebody’s access to guns if they’re found to be a threat to themselves or others — somebody like the man who killed my son. Everytown can take winning strategies like this all across the country, but only with your support.

I’m asking you to join me in supporting Everytown with a year-end gift of $5 or more. With your support, we can save lives. Please join this fight before Wednesday’s end-of-year deadline.

Everytown is doing something no one else has ever done before. I’ve seen the passion that powers this movement up close. I’ve shared hugs and tears with others whose lives have been turned upside down by gun violence.

Everytown has given me a chance to share Chris’s story and a platform from which I can work so that fewer parents have to experience this pain.

Our work is fueled by gun violence survivors, moms, dads, and concerned citizens — and it’s backed by cutting edge research and policy analysis. Because of this movement, the NRA is losing its grip on our country’s state houses.

Help us move forward in 2015. Lives depend on it. I’m asking you to show your support with a year-end donation of $5 or more right now — before the Wednesday night deadline:

https://donate.everytown.org/donate/2015-NOM-donate6

As the father of a young person killed with a gun, I know that it’s not enough to just want change. We must work hard and keep the pressure on in 2015.

Thank you for your care and support,

Richard Martinez

Asa movement of Americans fighting for common-sense gun policies, we depend on contributions from supporters like you to fund important work toreduce gun violence.Paid for by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. Contributions to Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund are not tax-deductible.

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This elephant has been alone for 28 years

09/26/2015 Nativegrl77

Petitioning Chairman CDA, Marc, CEO, Chris, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Help free Kaavan the elephant from 28 years of solitary confinement

Petition by Samar Khan

Fremont, California

280,960

Supporters

Sign Samar’s petition

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Giving Poachers the boot … Saving our wildlife

09/26/2015 Nativegrl77

The Black Mambas, a Mostly Female Anti-Poaching Force, Have Won a Top U.N. Environmental Award

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Criminal charges against Lumber Liquidators for illegal logging?

09/26/2015 Nativegrl77

Lumber Liquidators is in hot water, reportedly facing criminal charges from the U.S. Department of Justice — and for good reason. The nation’s leading hardwood floor retailer has allegedly imported illegally harvested wood from critical habitats, including the Russian Far East.

These forests are home to the world’s last remaining Siberian Tigers. With only around 450 of these majestic tigers remaining, we can do more to respond to illegal logging across the globe.

The Lacey Act, passed in 1900 to combat the illegal wildlife trade, was strengthened to fight illegal logging in 2008 — and it’s these forests’ best defense. If adequately enforced, the law would ensure that wood products have been sourced legally and violators like Lumber Liquidators would face fines or jail time.

Let’s not let Lumber Liquidators off the hook. Tell President Obama and his agency heads to fully enforce the Lacey Act!

Last year, thousands of RAN activists expressed outrage at Lumber Liquidator’s ties to illegal logging and destruction of the last habitat of the Siberian Tiger. Now, our friends at Sierra Club are taking the campaign one step further – by demanding criminal charges be pursued against Lumber Liquidators. We fully support this campaign and wanted to ask you to help out as well. See Sierra Club’s message below for details on how you can help.

Christy Tennery-Spalding, Rainforest Action Network

Taking criminal action against Lumber Liquidators sends a strong message that corporations will be punished for profiting from the illegal destruction of critical habitat.

With the Lacey Act, the U.S. can lead the world in combatting illegal logging. Yet, this powerful law can only be successful if enforcement is taken seriously and corporations are put on notice that violations will not be tolerated.

Protect the world’s ancient forests! Ask President Obama and his agency heads to continue holding Lacey Act violators like Lumber Liquidators accountable.

Thanks for all you do for the environment.

Sincerely,

Jesse Prentice-Dunn

Sierra Club

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Prosecute Officer Brian Encinia!

09/23/2015 Nativegrl77

Last week, in a remarkable display of solidarity, we joined with partners to deliver more than 500,000 signatures to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Department of Justice to investigate Sandra Bland’s tragic death. But we can’t stop here. Over the last 3 weeks, it seems that Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis has done everything in his power to cover up what happened to Sandra. Instead of looking at the illegal stop and violent arrest that unjustly put her in jail in the first place, local officials are trying to blame Sandra for her own death.¹

We’ve waited long enough for Officer Encinia to be held accountable for his abusive misconduct. Now, we need a groundswell of public pressure to ensure DA Mathis does his job and brings Officer Encinia to justice.

Demand Waller County DA Mathis prosecute Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland.

The truth is, Sandra Bland would still be alive today had it not been for Officer Encinia’s brutal racism and violence. Sandra didn’t make any traffic violations when Officer Encinia made a u-turn and sped up behind her. She was also not armed and yet Encinia threatened to “light” her up with his taser.² Sandra was not combative nor resisting and yet Encinia slammed her to the ground while she cried out in pain. Sandra was arrested and charged with assault, even though the video clearly shows Encinia as the aggressor.

In the video and later the police report, we see Officer Encinia spin a web of lies as he quickly attempts to justify his violent behavior and criminalize Sandra to his fellow officers.³ His actions are criminal and he should not be a police officer. We need DA Mathis to do everything in his power to prosecute Officer Encinia with a felony offense in order to keep this killer cop off the streets. In order for Officer Encinia to lose his police license he must be convicted of a felony.

Demand justice for Sandra! We will not remain silent as DA Mathis fails to do his job.

We’ve waited long enough. It’s DA Mathis’ job to protect Black residents in the area and hold racist and violent police who target Black people — such as Encinia — accountable. And we know accountability is possible. Baltimore DA Marilyn Mosby recently indicted the six police officers involved in the killing of Freddie Gray and just last week Collin County DA Joe Deter indicted Officer Ray Tensing for brutally killing Sam Dubose.^4,⁵ Prolonged delays and silence are not the answer. We need Waller County officials to act now.

Waller County officials must come to terms with their violent history of racism and discrimination and stand up for Black lives. This is just as much about Sandra Bland as it is about making sure all Black people in the area don’t have to experience the same unbridled violence and brutality at the hands of the state. And it starts with prosecuting Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland. Let’s show Waller County officials that we are not going to stop until the killing stops.

We need widespread public pressure to bring Officer Encinia to justice. Raise your voice today.

Thanks and peace,

— Rashad, Arisha, Shani, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 6th, 2015

References,

1. “Marijuana Didn’t Kill Sandra Bland,” Ebony 07-27-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5109?t=6&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

2. “In the video of Sandra Bland’s arrest, the tape doesn’t lie,” Boston Globe 07-23-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5104?t=8&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

3. “Blame the Police,” Slate 07-22-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5105?t=10&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

4. “Marilyn Mosby: 6 police officers indicted in Freddie Gray death,” Washington Times 05-21-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5106?t=12&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

5. “Prosecutor: UC officer ‘purposefully killed’ DuBose,” Cincinnati Enquirer 07-29-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5107?t=14&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg