Unfortunately, the world is not a very peaceful or safe place for many individuals. From conflict to abuse to exploitation, there is so much cruelty inflicted on both humans and animals. While this can get disheartening and difficult to hear about, petitions are a great way to use your voice for good. Just by signing one, you are a part of helping those who are not treated fairly. You can even share them with your friends and acquaintances to increase your impact.

Through petitions, we can reach those in power and demand justice for others. They are valuable tools for making positive changes in the world. If you are looking for a way to help animals and humans, here are 10 petitions you should sign this week, including Stop Book Banning in Schools and Libraries, Allow Tax-Paying Noncitizens to Vote in Federal Elections, and Urge Virginia to Remove all Confederate Statues.

We want to thank you for being the change you wish to see in the world and giving a voice to the voiceless.

1. Urge Virginia to Remove all Confederate Statues

Last year, a massive statue of Robert E. Lee on a horse was taken down in Richmond, Virginia. It was the last of the six statues taken down on monument avenue. In 2020, a law was created that would allow cities all over Virginia to remove or cover up other monuments of the confederacy. While Virginia has done a great job of removing some of these statues, many of them remain. Please sign this petition urging authorities in Virginia to remove all these offensive statutes.

2. End Killing Contests in Virginia

“Killing contests” are events that take place all over the country where hunters gather to kill as many animals as possible to win prizes. The justification for these events is to remove predators from the environment so they don’t kill livestock or take game away from hunters. Several states have outlawed killing contests but they’re still legal in most states. Virginia, which hosts a huge event known as the Easter U.S. Predator Calling Championship, recently rejected a bill that would have outlawed these barbaric events. Please sign this petition to urge legislators in Virginia to reconsider this important bill!

3. Urge UK Authorities to Charge Couple with Child Endangerment

In the UK, a couple was trying to get a two-year-old child to murder foxes and badgers. This primary school teacher and her boyfriend were showing the young child how to hit a badger with a spade, urging him to encourage a dog to attack a badger, and encouraging a dog to rip a fox to shreds. The couple also filmed other examples of animal cruelty and were recently charged with cruelty to wildlife. However, it’s clear from the evidence that the child was also at risk of being attacked and almost assuredly suffered psychological trauma from the event. Please sign this petition to urge the authorities to charge the couple with child endangerment as well.

4. Demand the Government of New South Wales Give Immunity to Whistleblowers

In New South Wales, Australia, a law is in effect that makes filming on private property illegal. The justification is to give citizens their privacy, but this law would also not allow individuals to uncover animal cruelty on private property. Please sign this petition to urge the government of New South Wales to give immunity to these whistleblowers so animals aren’t suffering in the dark.

5. Ask Authorities to Rescue Animals from Violent Humans

In Dallas, Texas, 133 animals were recently rescued from a fighting ring. Most of the animals were roosters, who had suffered terrible injuries. Authorities also found dead chickens all over the property. The problem is that the other animals on the grounds were not seized by authorities. Please sign this petition asking authorities to further investigate the matter and remove these other animals from these bloodthirsty humans too.

6. Allow Tax-paying Noncitizens to Vote in Federal Elections

Just this year, several areas across the US have allowed noncitizens to vote. However, that is still not the case for much of the country. Many of these noncitizens pay taxes to the state and federal government yet still aren’t allowed to have their voice heard in elections. Please sign this petition to urge Congress to allow all tax-paying noncitizens to participate in federal elections.

7. Stop Book Banning in Schools and Libraries

Banning books has again become a popular idea within certain communities in the United States. People become worried that certain “bad” ideas will spread and they don’t trust the public to be able to decipher whether they’re right or wrong. But freedom of expression is one of the founding ideals of this nation and it’s been shown time and time again that bad ideas die when exposed to the light, yet fester and grow in the darkness. On top of this, asking librarians and teachers to implement these bans gives even more work to this already overworked population. Please sign this petition to show you don’t believe books should be banned.

8. Urge the Government to Relist Gray Wolves as an Endangered Species

A judge in California recently reinstated protections for gray wolves in almost every state in the country. However, in the states where they are not protected, their populations are most abundant, and so are the hunters of this threatened species. Please sign this petition to ask the government to relist gray wolves as endangered across the United States.

9. Ask West Ham to Give Kurt Zouma and Teammates Mental Health Treatment

Soccer player, Kurt Zouma, has recently come under fire after he brutally kicked, slapped, and threw an object at his cat, then put the video on social media. Despite this, the team that he plays for hasn’t suspended him or asked him to attend any counseling for his actions. He has since issued an apology but it seems clear that he’s just sorry he got caught. Please sign this petition to urge the team to provide the appropriate mental health services for Zouma and his teammates.

10. Call on the FDA to Remove Harmful Food Additive

Titanium dioxide is a food additive that was banned in Europe after several studies showed how dangerous it is to our health. It’s put in food to make it more aesthetically pleasing, but it can lead to seriously harmful effects. In the United States, however, this additive is still extremely prevalent. Please sign this petition to urge the FDA to follow the science and ban titanium dioxide.

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