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Have you been personally impacted by gun violence? Consider sharing your unique lived experience in your own words by submitting your story. The voices, faces, and stories of survivors put a spotlight on the human toll of gun violence. Share your story

Brenda Mitchell, Everytown Survivor Network

Today is the first day of both National Gun Violence Survivors Week and Black History Month. As a survivor of gun violence and a Black woman, these next several days hold deep importance for me.

That's because I'm remembering my son, Kenneth. In a few days, it will have been 16 years since I last spoke to him, saw his face, and called his name. He was shot and killed while trying to intervene in a fight. A single parent, Kenneth left behind three sons: Tyler, John, and Mykhi.


Kenneth was the center of our family and a role model for his younger siblings and cousins. He was responsible and considerate of the people around him, and had a very strong sense of family. He was the one who would organize a barbecue if too much time had passed between family gatherings.


It hurts to write those words. But in the gun violence prevention movement, I have found a community of fellow survivors and activists who help me and countless others understand that we are not alone in this process.



We commemorate National Gun Violence Survivors Week the first week of February because by the beginning of this month, more people are killed with guns in the United States than are killed with guns in any other high-income country in an entire year. Many more are wounded, witness gun violence, or have loved ones who experienced gun violence, leaving 58 percent of American adults—including 68 percent of Black and Latino Americans—as survivors of gun violence.


But Don, know this: survivors of gun violence have experienced loss to a degree that absolutely no one should, and even still, we are resilient. America's gun violence survivors, despite experiencing incredible trauma, are leading work on the ground to support other survivors and advocate for common-sense gun safety measures that save lives.



As I reflect on the history and resilience of my communities this month—as both a gun violence survivor and a Black woman in America—I know there is still much more to be done to achieve racial justice and an end to gun violence in this country, two issues that are deeply interconnected. This Black History Month and beyond is a time for us to highlight the important work of Black survivors and activists, as well as frontline workers, health care workers, and faith leaders, and to make clear why we must center Black lives in our advocacy.


So as we continue this work, I will be thinking about Kenneth. I never stop missing him or wanting him. I am grateful for the love we shared, the son he was to me. I thank God for him.

His sons feel the loss; they struggle, but they keep getting up. He will always be what he has been to us.

We love you, Ken Ken. You were our love. You were our heaven.







For decades, the NRA has peddled the far-right's dangerous conspiracy theories, spread fear to sell more guns, and fought life-saving gun safety measures at every turn. But this year, we have the best opportunity in a generation to defeat the NRA's dangerous agenda and pass life-saving gun laws.


To do that, we've set a bold fundraising goal to make life-saving progress this year: 150 new monthly donors a day for the remainder of February for the NRA's 150th year.



With the NRA and its extremist allies continuing to pursue their dangerous "guns everywhere" agenda, your sustained support will be a huge advantage for our movement and one we will need to meet this moment.


Holding the NRA accountable and defeating its dangerous agenda will require a steady, predictable source of support. Help us make the NRA's 150th year its worst year yet by becoming a new monthly donor.

Amanda Chase

From the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, to the Virginia Beach shooting in 2019, to the daily gun violence in our Commonwealth, we have been hit hard by gun violence in recent decades. And every death is painfully hard to take.


But in the last few years, Virginia has made significant progress on gun violence prevention -- by expanding background checks, implementing an Extreme Risk law, and enhancing protections for domestic violence survivors.


That’s why it’s so frustrating that Amanda Chase -- the frontrunner for the GOP nomination for Governor -- wants to eliminate all the protections we fought so hard to implement.


My position couldn’t be further from Chase’s. I fought a Republican legislature to pass the first meaningful gun violence prevention laws in decades, and I’ve proposed banning the sale of assault weapons. I want to strengthen the laws we already have in place, not erase them.

On the other hand, Amanda Chase wants to turn our Commonwealth into a warzone with fewer safety restrictions and more guns on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

It’s sickening.


I’m going to fight with every ounce of energy I’ve got -- but I’m only as strong as the support I get from you. Please support the campaign however you can.



Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

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Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar - Katie Valentine




Refuse to Ride: How to Identify an Elephant in Distress

Elephants are social and sentient beings that express pain, joy, discomfort, and anger just like humans. As a traveler, you might not know that captive elephants that are used for begging, riding, in parades, weddings, or processions go through horrific training methods in order to be ‘tamed’.


Repeated thrashings, starvation, prodding of bull-hooks, heavy chains restricting their movement, and the unending psychological abuse that an elephant undergoes is just the first step of a lifetime of abuse and neglect.


Be watchful of the following signs as they may help you understand that the elephant is being abused:


Stereotypic Behavior

Image courtesy of Wildlife SOS


The most commonly noticed behavior in captive elephants that displays the immense stress that they are under can be observed as the repetitive and monotonous motion of head bobbing, weaving, and swaying. The overused excuse that follows is that the elephant is merely enjoying their surroundings by shaking their head in joy! Elephants that are used for ceremonies and processions, surrounded by loud music, display their discomfort by head bobbing that many people assume is “grooving to the music”. For an elephant in the wild, with nothing but natural wild calls, the cacophony of traffic and loud music is unnatural, painful, and nothing short of torture.


If you notice an elephant displaying this behavior, understand that they have been traumatized and are under severe stress.


Sunken Temples and Distinct Spines

The elephants used for tourist rides have their distinct, protruding spines that are usually masked under brightly colored, ornate garb. The overbearing weight of a wooden or an iron carrier that exceeds 400 kgs sits on the elephant’s back for the most part of the day wherein they receive little or no respite from their monotonous routine. With their sunken temples showing signs of dehydration and old age, these elephants have spent most parts of their life walking on unnatural surfaces in scorching heat and bone-chilling winters.


Older elephants require special care and in no way should be exerted this way for the purpose of entertainment. Most elephants in old age lose their teeth and gradually, tend to lose vision as well, in spite of their deteriorating condition, they are not allowed to rest.

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Opacity in the Eyes

Image courtesy of Wildlife SOS


Opacity or a white layer covering the elephant’s eyes is a telltale sign that the elephant is suffering from impaired vision and a major cause for this is severe malnutrition as they are deprived of fodder and fruits only to be fed dry grass and water to save cost.


In addition to this, the painful process of ‘phajaan’ involves the elephants being subjected to repeated beatings wherein the bull-hook or the stick with iron nails hurts their eyes and permanently damages their cornea.


These elephants also develop cataracts due to neglect and malnourishment and never receive any treatment for it. Would you really want to ride an elephant who can barely see where it is headed? Not only does it put them under immense stress but also puts your life at risk!


Condition of Their Feet

Image courtesy of Wildlife SOS


As tourists accustomed to watching elephants in captive and restrained spaces, we are seldom aware of the reality of elephant behavior in their natural habitat. When you observe an elephant in captivity, you will always notice that their feet are in terrible condition, as they were never designed to walk on roads; they belonged rightfully only in the forest. The elephants foraging through the thick forests often scratch their backs and feet against trees that allow their toenails to not grow beyond a painful point. In captivity, there has to be a proper foot care routine that has to be charted out for their care.

Elephant cracked foot pads

Image courtesy of Wildlife SOS


An elephant’s limbs carry the weight of the entire body in a 60 to 40 ratio between the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Overgrown and cracked toenails, severely torn and delicate footpads, and wounded cuticles affect the elephant’s ability to walk comfortably, often leading to fractures in the digits that remain untreated.

The use of spiked chains is illegal but they continue to be used on elephants. When pulled, the spikes tear at the flesh and create immense pain for the elephant and this is how they are controlled. The wounds often don’t heal and can become infected and gangrenous over time.


In spite of their pain, they are forced to walk around on unnatural stone surfaces and tied to concrete floors at the end of the day, where lying on one side gives them painful wounds and bedsores that end up getting infected.


Visible Wounds and Scars

While observing the footpad of an elephant may have its own challenges, it is very important to notice that the truth is right in front of us, should we look carefully.


One may spot visible discoloration of the skin, scars, rope burns, and often, fresh wounds on an elephant. Contrary to the claims that may be made that the elephant hurt itself on “its own” or “while playing”, the elephant would genuinely have been beaten up brutally. The wounds will not be cleaned properly and end up becoming seriously infected, causing the elephant immense and unimaginable amount of pain. If you spot any such visible wound, please understand that the elephant has suffered for your entertainment. Is it, then, really worth it?


What You Can Do

While these are some of the most common signs of distress in an elephant, this is certainly not the entire list that highlights the abuse that elephants undergo. As animal lovers and conscientious citizens, it is very important that we are aware of the abuse that an elephant undergoes, in order to be abused for the entertainment and tourism industry.


If you spot an elephant in distress, please write to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State and request them to take action. You can also reach out to us at our Elephant Helpline (+91-9971699727) or write to us at info@wildlifesos.org!


Understanding these important signs will bring you face-to-face with the brutal reality that elephants have to undergo when they are poached from their natural habitat and subjected to unnatural urban spaces. Be an aware tourist and acquaint yourself with reality. For more information, please visit our Refuse to Ride website and #RefuseToRide!














Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
  • Important Dates & Events

  • Important Films, TV & Videos

  • Privatization & Corporate Responsibility

  • Wild Leaks & Environmental Crime

  • Labeling & Transparency

  • Private Prisons

  • Cruelty Free

  • Environment & Climate Issues

  • Finance & Economy

  • Gun Safety

  • Death Penalty

  • Kids & Learning

  • Bills, Laws & Protections

ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
  • Animal Crimes & Abuse

  • Dog Fighting

  • Hope For Paws

  • Flying Fur Animal Rescue

  • Official PETA TV

  • Animal Testing & the Animal Testing Weekly Report

  • Rescues & Rescue TV

  • Bills, Laws & Protections

  • The Ultimate Wildlife Rescue Guide

  • Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

  • Moving Giants

  • Beluga Whale Sanctuary

  • Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center

PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE
  • Stop Wildlife Crime

  • Poaching

  • Trophy Hunting

  • Whales & A Whale of a Week!

  • Dolphins & Dolphin Outlook

  • Dolphin Captivity, Hunting Results

  • Elephant Captivity, Hunting Results

  • Wild Leaks & Environmental Crime

  • Oceania

  • Songs For Freedom

  • Official PETA TV

  • Wildlife Aid TV

  • FOUR Paws International

  • Animals Voices & Animals Asia

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GOVERNMENT & POLITICS, ELECTIONS, BILLS & LAWS
  • Latest Polls Of The Georgia Senate Runoffs

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  • Presidential Platform on Animal Wellness and Protection

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Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

If you live in Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, or New York, one or more of your U.S. senators is critical to avoiding war.


Senators Kelly, Sinema, Coons, Carden, Menendez, and Schumer urgently need to be told to support the United States rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement.


After withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), President Trump waged a failed and reckless “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. This dangerous policy brought the two countries disturbingly close to the brink of war, shortened Iran’s “breakout time” to build nuclear weapons, and caused Iranian civilians to suffer needlessly. With a new administration in Washington, it’s time for a policy reset and a swift return to diplomacy.


The longer the delay, the more hawks on both sides move away from peace. Iranian elections this year could have disastrous results if the United States has not taken steps away from war.



The Biden administration, its European allies, and Iranian leaders all appear to be eager to turn the page and restore the JCPOA.


But leaders in Washington and Tehran will both face staunch opposition from hardliners, and the window of opportunity to save the deal could be limited. That’s why it’s critical that members of Congress publicly support diplomacy and oppose any legislation that seeks to undermine a return to the deal.


The JCPOA was always meant to be a starting point. While there are a myriad of issues that should be resolved diplomatically between the United States, Iran, and other governments in the region, the nuclear issue is the most pressing. A full return to the nuclear deal should serve as a foundation for future talks to address these issues.


To improve the chances of successful diplomacy between the United States and Iran, members of Congress should:

  • Publicly support a full return to the JCPOA by the United States.

  • Oppose any legislation that seeks to hinder the Biden administration from restoring the deal.

  • Refrain from calls to use maximum pressure sanctions as leverage in attempts to secure additional concessions from Iran on issues outside of the JCPOA.

People For the American Way

Throughout Trump’s presidency, his administration issued a significant number of harmful rules and regulations that will disastrously impact immigration, the environment, LGBTQ protections, endangered species' habitats, workers’ rights, and more.


The good news is that some of them have yet to take effect, and some rules can be blocked from being permanently enacted.


Congress can fast-track reversal of rulemakings from the Trump administration under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).


But there is a catch: as of today, the CRA only applies to Trump rules created since August 2020 and the new Congress has just 60 days to act!


That’s why we must urge them to act immediately!



Under the CRA, agencies are required to submit to Congress notice of a finalized rule. Once notified, Congress has the option of passing a joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the rule. If that passes both chambers of Congress and is signed into law by President Biden, the rule is IMMEDIATELY overturned and has no effect.


Most importantly, a joint resolution of disapproval need only pass by a simple majority in both chambers! With both houses of Congress under Democratic leadership and with a Democratic president, we can make that happen – as long as House and Senate members hear from their constituents how important it is that they vote to block the rules.



With the Congressional Review Act, Congress and President Biden have yet one more powerful tool at their disposal to undo the damage that Trump has caused to our country – let’s make sure they act quickly so we don’t lose this opportunity.



— the For the People Act —

But it’s going to take an immense effort because, while we have pro-democracy congressional majorities now, those majorities are as narrow as can be and we’re not guaranteed to keep them after the 2022 midterm elections.


Far-right policymakers from coast to coast are moving to enact voter suppression laws making it harder for voters to register, cast a ballot, and have their ballots counted – well over 100 such bills have already been introduced according to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice, and the number is still growing.[1]


We can STOP most of these attacks on voting by passing the For the People Act – a historic piece of legislation that would help get Big Money out of politics, stop racist and partisan gerrymandering, protect against corruption, and, most importantly, PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.


Our campaign to pass the For the People Act – H.R. 1/S. 1 – is a massive undertaking, and the next several weeks will make or break whether we’re able to seize this opportunity to restore, rebuild, and reinvigorate our democracy at a time when it’s under constant attack by extremists.


We need to stay on track to pass this legislation and save democracy.



The Far Right knows this legislation the greatest threat to their ability to rig the playing field and hold onto power, despite not being able to win over a majority of voters.


So, while they’re busy trying to erect barriers to the ballot box in the states, the Right is making it their top federal priority to kill the legislation!


We can’t let them. That’s why we’re organizing events every week, mobilizing the grassroots and community leaders in target states and districts, aggressively helping to place op-eds in those same places, running ads, and joining with our partners to generate thousands of phone calls, emails, hand-written letters, and more!


The For the People Act would easily be the most important legislation for strengthening democracy in at least half a century. We fought hard coming into this new Congress for both the House and Senate leadership to make this bill their TOP priority – and they did! The For the People Act was introduced under the bill numbers H.R. 1 in the House and S. 1 in the Senate and we have firm commitments that this sweeping pro-democracy legislation will be central to their policy agenda.


But we still need to get the votes. And that means waging a sustained grassroots and media campaign in target states and districts that needs your immediate support.


Tell Congress to support passage of HR1 — the For the People Act —to clean up our political system, expand and protect voting rights, get big money out of politics, hold elected officials accountable for corruption, and create a democracy that values the voices of all Americans.

Sign our letter. - The For the People Act 1 (HR 1) is a bill that was first passed in the US House of Representatives in 2019 to expand voting rights and create new ethics rules for federal officeholders. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made sure that the bill did not “go anywhere in the Senate” on his watch.

Finally, now that Senate Democrats have a slim majority (thank you Georgia and Kamala Harris), the House reintroduced the For the People Act (HR 1) on January 4th. Their first order of business is all about election security provisions and campaign finance reform.

HR1 includes:
  • Voter verified paper ballot provision mandating the use of paper ballots,

  • State officials required to preserve paper ballots for recounts or audits,

  • Voting machines used in federal elections must be manufactured in the U.S.,

  • Public financing matching small donations at a 6:1 ratio,

  • Super PACs and other “dark money” organizations must disclose their donors,

  • Presidential and vice presidential candidates required to publicly disclose their previous ten years of income tax returns, and

  • To thwart gerrymandering, states required to use independent commissions to draw congressional district lines.

The Federal Election Commission would have five commissioners instead of six to reduce the likelihood of tie votes, and a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel of non-public office holders.


HR 1 supports a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, in which the Supreme Court held that limits on independent political expenditures by corporations, labor unions, and other associations are unconstitutional.


More than 97,000 letters have been sent, with your signature let’s make it 100,000.



If you have any thoughts, comments, or criticisms, or if there's a better email address at which to reach you, please let us know.


People For the American Way is fighting back every day with:

✔ Grassroots organizing ✔ Lobbying and advocacy ✔ Research and education ✔ Voter mobilization ✔ And more…

But we can’t do this vital work without the robust grassroots financial support of our members and activists.


Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
  • Important Dates & Events

  • Important Films, TV & Videos

  • Privatization & Corporate Responsibility

  • Wild Leaks & Environmental Crime

  • Labeling & Transparency

  • Private Prisons

  • Cruelty Free

  • Environment & Climate Issues

  • Finance & Economy

  • Gun Safety

  • Death Penalty

  • Kids & Learning

  • Bills, Laws & Protections

ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
  • Animal Crimes & Abuse

  • Dog Fighting

  • Hope For Paws

  • Flying Fur Animal Rescue

  • Official PETA TV

  • Animal Testing & the Animal Testing Weekly Report

  • Rescues & Rescue TV

  • Bills, Laws & Protections

  • The Ultimate Wildlife Rescue Guide

  • Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

  • Moving Giants

  • Beluga Whale Sanctuary

  • Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center

PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE
  • Stop Wildlife Crime

  • Poaching

  • Trophy Hunting

  • Whales & A Whale of a Week!

  • Dolphins & Dolphin Outlook

  • Dolphin Captivity, Hunting Results

  • Elephant Captivity, Hunting Results

  • Wild Leaks & Environmental Crime

  • Oceania

  • Songs For Freedom

  • Official PETA TV

  • Wildlife Aid TV

  • FOUR Paws International

  • Animals Voices & Animals Asia

  • Rescues & Rescue TV

  • 8 Billion Trees

  • Bills, Laws & Protections

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS, ELECTIONS, BILLS & LAWS
  • Latest Polls Of The Georgia Senate Runoffs

  • Let My People Vote

  • Let America Vote

  • Presidential Platform on Animal Issues with Joe Biden

  • Presidential Platform on Animal Wellness and Protection

  • New Jersey is the Humane State


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