A Rainbow of Actions

I'm going to start something new. I get a lot of emails requesting me to write or petition someone for this or that reason, and I wanted to share some of them with you. There is one for each color of the rainbow. Ish.

Red: Last Tuesday, women's rights activists distributed roses outside of Zimbabwe's Parliament in a Valentine's-themed demonstration. This being Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe, many were arrested. So Amnesty International wants you to write Valentines for Mugabe. Or you can email Zimbabwe's Minister of Justice and Ambassador and urge the release of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, the founders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise. The two were arrested on October 16 for "disturbing the peace" and their bail hearing has been postponed a total of three times. The court is "very busy."

Orange: The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, the first time a sitting head of state has been indicted by the ICC. Save Darfur is worried that Bashir will lash out and wants you to email President Obama and have him name a "point man" on Darfur.

Yellow: Implore your Senators to investigate how the United States began to torture. (From Amnesty International.)

Green: For those affiliated with the University of Michigan, undersign this letter to President Mary Sue Coleman, urging her to reduce the university's environmental impact and encourage the research and promotion of sustainability. (From the Student Sustainability Initiative.)

Blue: MoveOn.org wants you to sign this petition to counter conservative flak and convince President Obama to appoint a progressive Secretary of Health & Human Services who can reform the United States' health care system. (MoveOn is particularly worried about Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen who made a fortune running an HMO and cut TennCare.)

Indigo: Amnesty International wants you to email Secretary of State Clinton, urging her to create an upper-level position dedicated to gender equality.

Violet:

Ken Starr, yes that Ken Starr, has filed a legal brief seeking to forcibly divorce gay California couples who married before the passage of Prop 8. Sign this petition to do something about it. (From the Courage Campaign.)

Take action!