Change.org - Change Minnesota Sexual Assault Laws

Change Minnesota Sexual Assault Laws

Taylor Yang started this petition to Minnesota State House, Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota State Senate, Tim Walz, Tina Smith, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Betty McCollum, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, Jay Xiong, Tou Xiong, Bobby Joe Champion, Jim ... and it now has 90,667 signatures

Sign now with a click

Recently, it has come to the attention of many Minnesota residents of the "loop hole" in Minnesota’s sexual assault laws: that if a victim of rape/sexual assault voluntarily became intoxicated, they are not a victim of rape/sexual assault in the court of MN law. Whether someone voluntarily becomes intoxicated, it doesn’t change that they did not consent to certain actions that occurred to them. There needs to be a change in Minnesota’s sexual assault laws.   https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/03/25/mn-supreme-court-reverses-rape-conviction-because-woman-wasnt-forced-to-get-drunk

Sign now with a click

Visit petition page

This is not what God intended

Stated Clerk offers perspective on Israel/Palestinian conflict

Rick Jones & Randy Hobson | Office of the General Assembly - June 8, 2021

FacebookTwitterEmailPrint

LOUISVILLE

It is estimated that more than 17,000 homes were destroyed in the latest round of clashes between Israel and Palestine last month. Healthcare also took a hit as Palestinians seek to recover from the Israeli strikes.

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has traveled to the region in recent years, witnessing the living conditions and talking with residents and leaders. He says that in order for genuine peace to occur, major change needs to take place.  

WCC NEWS: WCC participates in the 109th International Labour Conference

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is participating in the 109th International Labour Conference, which is running from 7-19 June. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 07 June 2021 While voting delegates are representatives of governments, employers’organisations and Trades Unions from member states, non-governmental organisations—such as the WCC—can participate and engage as observers. The annual meeting of the International Labour Conference is effectively the “parliament” of the Geneva-based International Labour Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 109th Conference is being held online for the first time. Rev. Matthew Ross, the WCC programme executive for Diakonia and Capacity Building, who is representing WCC at the conference, reflected: “The world of work is a vitally important part of human life, yet for many millions around the realities of poor pay, exploitation, dangerous conditions and unemployment need to be confronted. “The word ‘work’ appears in the Bible hundreds of times in an era when injustices such as slavery were commonplace; examples such as Romans 4:4, ‘Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due’ remind us of the importance of dignity and fairness at work,” Ross said. Ross added that it’s important for churches to engage in this process related to labour.  “The issue of decent and fair work – particularly in the challenges arising from COVID-19 – is of crucial importance,” said Ross. "This gathering gives national governments, employers’ and trades unions an important opportunity to discuss social justice and employment. With input from churches and others, this is an opportunity to promote fairness, good practices and social justice globally for the benefit of all.” International Labour Organization  International Labour Conference See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: As UN meeting convenes, WCC takes stock of progress on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030

As a United Nations high-level meeting convenes from 8-10 June in New York, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is joining the UN and other faith-based and civic groups to review progress on commitments to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. World AIDS Day 2017 Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 07 June 2021 The high-level meeting is an important opportunity for the global HIV response to reflect on the progress made thus far and reevaluate targets for HIV prevention, treatment and care in the current context. The meeting will also yield recommendations to guide and monitor response to HIV and AIDS beyond 2021, including new concrete commitments and accelerated action.   The WCC has been responding to communities affected by HIV from the very onset of the pandemic in 1984, and has engaged with every UN high-level meeting on HIV along the way. “As commitments are strengthened, and actions outlined to move forward, the WCC will be participating and observing thoughtfully,” said WCC deputy general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri. “For more than three decades, the WCC has been able to provide resources and inspiration to help churches and communities respond courageously and prophetically to the ongoing AIDS epidemic,” said Phiri. “It is critical to keep our attention on ending AIDS by 2030, and to not lose faith in the power of working together with accurate information and the prayers of the people.” On the occasion of the High-Level Meeting (HLM), the UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative, which WCC is part of, is organizing a side event Faith2EndAIDS – Faith2EndInequalities on June 7th, which will focus on the importance of accelerating the response to HIV by faith groups and communities over the next five years. The WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy Programme has touched many lives through its work ranging from ending stigma to treatment adherence. With funding from PEPFAR through UNAIDS, the WCC has conducted several consultations in many regions to promote mutual understanding of the critical barriers and to share good practice among WCC member churches and other faith communities, people living with HIV, adolescents and youth, people with disabilities and others. WCC, through its initiatives, the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, has been actively engaged in bringing the concerns of people living with HIV from the grassroots to the international forum and mobilising the central role of positive faith in action to end AIDS as a public health threat, from the first UN High-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in the year 2001.  WCC joins all faith communities to advocate for and support a clear and action-oriented political declaration to be agreed upon by member states to advance towards achieving the commitment of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy (EHAIA) Health and Healing Faith2EndAIDS UN High-level meeting on HIV and AIDS See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Change.org - Shot during a mental health crisis

Warning: The following contains reference to police violence. On March 5, 2021, Gregory Small Jr. experienced a mental health crisis. When the police arrived, they shot him 4 times—placing him in critical condition. Now, the state is charging Gregory with felony assault because he was holding a knife, even though he only threatened himself. Shawnaci’s petition argues that they’re just adding insult to injury. Sign here to call for the State Attorney, Dan Wright, to drop the charges against Gregory. Speak Out For Gregory 2,709 have signed Shawnaci Schroeder’s petition. Let’s get to 5,000!

Sign now with a click

On March 5 2021, Gregory Small Jr. attempted to take his own life during a manic episode. His mother called 911 to help de-escalate the event and save his life. When police arrived, Gregory was cutting himself with a knife. Gregory was shot four times while he was running from the rear of his home to the front, which placed him into critical medical condition. Gregory is being charged with a felony assault. Sangamon County State’s attorney Dan Wright said in a news release that Chatham IL police Officer Adam Hahn was justified in using deadly force and will not face charges. Gregory was raised in the village of Chatham IL. He is an active member of Cherry Hills church  where he has attended with his family since childhood. He is a self taught coder and an Eagle Scout. All members of our community deserve to feel safe, valued, and respected. We need officers that are capable of responding to mental health crisis. We must speak out and advocate with members in our community. How To Help Contact: State’s Attorney, Dan Wright and demand that ALL CHARGES AGAINST GREGORY SMALL JR. are dropped. Dan.Wright@co.sangamon.il.us or 217-753–6690 Donate: Funds will be used for legal and medical expenses as well as lost wages and living expenses.- paypal.me/Speakoutforgregory or https://www.gofundme.com/speakoutforgregory Speak Out: If you or a loved one have a similar experience, please share your story using the hashtag #speakoutforgregory and follow https://www.facebook.com/SpeakOutForGregory

Sign now with a click

Visit petition page

Change.org - Chicago White Sox

Loretta worked at the same Chicago White Sox concession stand for 60 years. In 2005, after the team won the World Series, they named a seating area next to her concession stand “Loretta’s Lounge.” But earlier this year, executives took down Loretta’s name – and instead put up a sign for the team’s manager. Mike started this petition demanding the White Sox put Loretta’s name back. He wants your support to call on the White Sox to honor Loretta’s legacy. Change LaRussa’s Lounge Back to Loretta’s Lounge 682 have signed Michael Sause’s petition. Let’s get to 1,000!

Sign now with a click

Loretta Micele worked as a concession stand worker for the Chicago White Sox for 60 years. In 2005, after the White Sox won the World Series, the team honored her decades of service by naming the seating area next to her concession stand on the third base line: "Loretta’s Lounge" However, this year after hiring new manager Tony LaRussa, the stadium renamed the seating area to "LaRussa’s Lounge." Mr. LaRussa, while a Hall of Fame manager in his own right, will likely be unable to match the years of service to the franchise that Loretta did... The White Sox need to restore the seating area to its original name of "Loretta’s Lounge," to honor the legacy of a woman who gave decades of her life to the team and its fans.  https://twitter.com/TheTyronePalmer/status/1397605553749336072?s=20

Sign now with a click

Visit petition page

Join organizers on the ground for a live virtual rally to stop Line 3!

As I’m writing to you, a GreenFaith delegation is arriving in Northern Minnesota for the Treaty People Gathering. We’re answering the call of Indigenous leaders there to stand in opposition to Line 3, an oil pipeline that will pollute the climate, destroy habitat, and threaten drinking water on Indigenous lands. It is wrong.

Please join us for a powerful virtual rally this Sunday, June 6, from 6:00-7:00 pm CT!

During the rally, we’ll lift up our collective vision of a world where water is sacred. Where Native treaty rights and sovereignty are respected. Where rural communities prosper. You’ll hear directly from the multi-faith delegation in northern Minnesota. You’ll also have the opportunity to take action digitally and to share resources, and next steps with your community.

All are welcome from wherever you are! RSVP here to receive the Zoom link for the event.

See you there,

Sara Shor, Director of Organizing, GreenFaith

P. S. If you want to invite your own community to take action on Line 3, you can download our Line 3 Toolkit here and organize an Action Hour to call the White House. It’s a simple and easy way to make a big impact. Our voices together are powerful!