From HRW...

Harmful gang legislation is pending in Congress that places excessive emphasis on increasing sentences (including life without parole penalties for youth) and will disproportionately harm communities of color. Sen. Feinstein’s Gang Abatement and Prevention Act passed out of the Senate and a similar bill, H.R. 3547, has been introduced in the House by Representative Adam Schiff. The punitive approach that the Feinstein and Schiff bills take does not address the root causes of gang crime.

Representative Bobby Scott has, however, introduced a positive alternative. H.R. 3846, the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act (Youth PROMISE Act), takes an innovative approach to addressing the problem of gangs and crime. By investing resources in youth and local communities, this legislation prevents crime and redirects at-risk youth toward productive and law-abiding alternatives.

Please urge your elected representatives to oppose Representative Schiff’s H.R. 3547 and instead support the Youth PROMISE Act, H.R. 3846.

Stealing this from HRW

People around the world face violence and inequality – and sometimes torture, even execution – because of who they love, how they look, or who they are. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse. More than 80 countries around the world still make it a crime for men to have sex with men, or women with women. In some countries, the punishment is death. Many laws punish people for simply looking differently, or not living up to cultural norms of “masculinity” or “femininity.”

Sign the petition urging the United Nations to call for an end to criminalizing people because of who they are or whom they love. Learn More.

VOTE!!

I am sorry for the lateness of today's blog ...being that it's almost tomorrow when I'm posting it.

The cause today is something we should all be worries about and need to take action against. The vote is being suppressed in several states. For example in Colorado it's estimated that 5 of 6 voters registrations have been purged this year, meaning thousands of people could show up to the polls only to be turned away. I won't point fingers at parties or people but this needs attention. Learn what the voter rights are in your state here. Prepare yourself for this years election by finding where your voting booth is located. Finally, VOTE SAFE.

Thank you for you time

Rachel

Art!!

Please do something today to support the Arts. Last night I had a comedy class and I was so uplifted that it's all I can think of today. So, go out and support independent film, your local theater or go to a gallery. ANYTHING!!!

Cheers-

Rachel

P.S. Most local theater is word of mouth so when you see something/say something...to everyone.

Matthew Shepard Act

Matthew Shepard was attacked on October 7, 1998, he died on October 12. Matthew was robbed, pistol whipped, beaten, tortured and tied to a fence where he was left to die. A cyclist found him alive 18 hours later. This murder was a crime of hate. Matthew was openly gay and attacked for that reason. The Matthew Shepard Act is legislation against hate crimes while protecting your right to freedom of speech. To prevent a long, heartfelt blog about much this means to me, how much this has touched my world I'll stop writing now. But I will tell you to use this link to contact your local government, tell them you want to support this act. Help end crimes of hate in America.

Thanks for your time-

Rachel

Child Soldiers

Today's cause is one I find particularly heartbreaking -- child soldiers. Children as young as 8 are recruited either by force or being forced to join due to poverty, taking arms against their own people. In 2002, a treaty came into effect banning anyone under 18 from fighting but the UN estimates as many as 20,000 children are still being used to fight in as many as 20 conflicts. Today's cause requires a bit more work than normal. Write a letter to your senators either by e-mail or by post. For you New Yorkers, here is Hillary's contact page. Or to participate in the Red Hand Campaign. To do so send an 8 1/2 x10 piece of page write you name, town, state, and country with a red hand print to express your outrage to:

Red Hand Campaign
c/o HRW
350 Fifth Ave 34th Fl
New York, NY 10118

These 'red hand' messages will be forwarded to the UN, the campaign's goal is for 1 million letters...I think it's possible. So Reach out. Speak up. Stand Above.

Rachel

Postcards to the President

I wasn't planning on starting the blog so soon, most of you haven't even gotten the e-mail asking what you think of the idea of this blog...but I got this in my mail and felt it needed to be read.

Some of you have heard me talk about Ask the Candidates. Well today I received this e-mail, it's from the Save Darfur Coalition. They've set a goal to collect 20,000 new on-line postcards before election day telling the future president that we want him to keep his promise to stop the violence in Darfur. Here is the link to the page, it takes a few seconds to fill out and every voice counts.

Postcards to the President

In the hopes that this will lead to change talk to me, tell me what you think what causes you want to see here. Remember we aren't just talking Darfur it's everything; arts, education, social injustice. Anything that needs a voice can and will be voiced here...in good time.

Thank you for your time.

Rachel