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Success Stories

Justice for Jasmine Thar

No Tilted Kilt in Evanston

Larry Summers Won’t Head The Fed

signon When news hit that Larry Summers, famed for helping to craft the policies that caused the recession, was the front-runner for chair of the Federal Reserve, Robert Naiman of the organization Just Foreign Policy, The Other 98%, and MoveOn member Aaron Camp created MoveOn Petitions telling President Obama to leave Summers out of the running. More than 22,000 MoveOn members added their names to the petitions. Facing mounting pressure from grassroots progressives, Summers called President Obama to officially withdraw his name from consideration.

Tribune Papers Spared From Koch Empire

signon When the Tribune Company went up for sale, it was widely reported that the Koch brothers were interested in acquiring its newspapers—including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. The billionaire Kochs and their tea party politics presented a clear threat to independent journalism, so several organizations, including Forecast the Facts, Courage Campaign, and Working Families started MoveOn Petitions asking Tribune Company CEO Peter Liguori not to sell to the Koch brothers. More than 39,000 MoveOn members, from Florida to Baltimore and each state where a Tribune newspaper was up for sale, signed onto the petitions. After continued campaigning, the Koch brothers confirmed that they were no longer interested in buying the Tribune Company newspapers.

Michigan Expands Medicaid Program

signon The health of Michiganders was at stake while Republican Governor Rick Snyder decided whether to accept new federal dollars to expand the state’s Medicaid program. That’s why Fran Brennan of the organization Working America created a MoveOn Petition to Governor Snyder, telling him to accept the funds. Thanks in part to the nearly 8,000 MoveOn members who signed the petition, Governor Snyder supported Medicaid expansion in Michigan, providing health insurance to 400,000 people for the first time.

84 Endangered Orcas Saved

signon Endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest faced a serious threat when anti-environmental agribusiness groups petitioned to strip their Endangered Species Act protections, making the unscientific claim that all orcas were the same and the southern resident killer whales didn’t need protection. Steve Mashuda of the organization Earthjustice created a MoveOn Petition to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), demanding continued ESA protections for the orcas. After more than 61,000 MoveOn members signed the petition, the NMFS denied the agribusiness petition and elected to maintain ESA protections for Northwest orcas.

Illinois Passes Online Voter Registration

signon When a bill allowing for online voter registration passed through the Illinois Senate, the organization Chicago Votes knew the state was one step closer to creating a more innovative, open, and accessible democracy. That’s why Rebecca Reynolds and the Chicago Votes team created a MoveOn Petition asking members of the Illinois General Assembly to support the bill. After the petition was delivered to representatives and senators across the state, the bill passed through the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn, creating a system that allows Illinoisans to register to vote with just a few clicks.

New York Times Works to Better Inform Readers on Budget

signon The New York Times‘ tendency to report on budget numbers without contextualizing them was a problem—especially in light of the recent federal budget crisis. Big numbers in articles look scary and indistinguishable to readers who don’t understand the massive scale of the federal budget. That’s why MoveOn member (and former staffer) Daniel Mintz and Robert Naiman of Just Foreign Policy started MoveOn Petitions to Times Public Editor Margaret Sullivan, asking her to institute a policy of always reporting budget numbers with percentages or comparisons. The petitions gathered more than 20,000 signatures and prompted a public response from Sullivan, who announced that the Times was working on new ways to make numbers-based stories clearer for readers.

Gov. Corbett Releases Education Dollars

signon In the midst of budget cuts to education in Philadelphia, schools were forced to lay off or cut hours for staff like teachers and school nurses. In October 2013, a student at one Philadelphia school suffered from an asthma attack that led to her death. If there had been a school nurse on campus that day, she might still be alive. This tragedy motivated Philadelphia parent Jesse Bacon to start a MoveOn Petition to Governor Tom Corbett, asking him to stop withholding $45 million of funding from Philadelphia schools. Thousands of MoveOn members signed the petition, and Gov. Corbett finally released the funding, which will allow schools to hire vital staff.

Beloved School Program in Union, NJ Rescued

signon When the Board of Education in Union, New Jersey, threatened to end the township’s highly successful Fall Academy program for local students, area resident Jeff Monge knew he needed to take action. That’s why he started a MoveOn Petition to the Board of Education, asking them to reinstate the Fall Academy. Shortly after, the Board announced that it would start the Fall Academy program back up in November 2013.

Larry Summers Won’t Head The Fed

signon When news hit that Larry Summers, famed for helping to craft the policies that caused the recession, was the front-runner for chair of the Federal Reserve, Robert Naiman of the organization Just Foreign Policy, The Other 98%, and MoveOn member Aaron Camp created MoveOn Petitions telling President Obama to leave Summers out of the running. More than 22,000 MoveOn members added their names to the petitions. Facing mounting pressure from grassroots progressives, Summers called President Obama to officially withdraw his name from consideration.

Orange County Canyons Protected

signon The proposed Saddle Crest housing development in Trabuco Canyon, California, would have destroyed the area’s ancient oak forests, scenic ridgelines, and other cherished natural resources. That’s why Ray Chandos created a MoveOn Petition to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, asking them to vote against the development. Despite overwhelming support from Orange County residents, including about 2,400 signatures, the board turned its back on the community. But when Chandos and his supporters went to court to fight against the new development, the Saddle Crest approval was overturned, leaving Trabuco Canyon in its natural state to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for decades to come.

Philadelphia Schools Restore Music Program

signon When the School District of Philadelphia decided to eliminate their Instrumental Music program, affecting more than 100,000 students, Maureen Brady created a MoveOn Petition to stop them. Nearly 4,500 MoveOn members signed the petition in support of the music program. After the petition was delivered, Superintendent William Hite publicly announced that he would restore the program, bringing itinerant instrumental music teachers back into the classrooms of elementary, middle, and high schools in Philadelphia.

Senate Saves Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

signon The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—the agency championed by Senator Elizabeth Warren to be a voice for consumers in Washington—was endangered when Republicans in Congress refused to reconfirm Richard Cordray, the bureau’s widely respected first director. That’s why James Lardner of Americans for Financial Reform created a MoveOn Petition to the U.S. Senate, asking them to allow an up-or-down vote on Cordray’s nomination. More than 87,000 MoveOn members signed the petition, and the public interest prevailed: A group of senators finally relented, and Cordray was sworn in on July 17. With the political stalemate over, the CFPB is now free to do the vital work of protecting consumers from abusive and deceptive banking practices.

No Book Deal for Zimmerman Juror

signon In the wake of the “not guilty” verdict for George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, one juror announced that she’d signed with Martin Literary Management to write a book detailing the trial. Progressives all over the country were outraged that jury members might profit from Zimmerman’s acquittal. That’s why MoveOn member Barbara Graham created a Petition to Martin Literary Management, asking them to take back the book deal. After the petition gathered more than 18,000 signatures, echoing the public outcry on social media, Sharlene Martin, the management company’s owner, wrote Barbara to let her know that she’d terminated the offer, admitting that she made a “grave error in judgment” when she agreed to represent the juror’s story.

CUNY Rescinds Big Paycheck for Petraeus

signon The City University of New York revealed its priorities when it offered former CIA Director David Petraeus $150,000—and the support of two teaching assistants—to teach a seminar for 16 students. This was nearly 50 times the typical salary of $3,000 offered to CUNY adjunct faculty doing the same job on their own. City Council Member Brad Lander of the New York City Council Progressive Caucus created a MoveOn Petition to CUNY asking them to rescind the offer and put the funds toward supporting low-income students or hiring more teachers. After the petition gathered signatures from more than 3,000 MoveOn members, Petraeus’ lawyer announced that he would be teaching the class for just $1.

San Francisco Bay Waters Protected

signon Developers in the San Francisco Bay area wanted to build a 12-story basketball arena and entertainment complex with 90,000 square feet of retail space over open bay waters on Piers 30-32. A bill in the California Senate would have allowed the developers to circumvent environmental regulatory processes for the San Francisco Bay area by giving sole authority to the Port of San Francisco—one of the major proponents of the development. That’s why Jamie Whitaker and the San Francisco Waterfront Alliance created a MoveOn Petition to the California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, asking them to stop the regulatory shortcuts in their tracks. The campaign was successful, and the Senate committee amended the bill to make sure new developments will be regulated by an independent agency.

Bernalillo County Minimum Wage Increased

signon After Albuquerque voters overwhelmingly passed a minimum wage increase to $8.50 an hour, residents all over Bernalillo County wanted to do the same. Christian Norton of the organization Working America created a MoveOn Petition to the Bernalillo County Commissioners, asking them to raise the minimum wage all over the county. After the petition gathered nearly 500 signatures, the commissioners voted to increase the minimum wage to $8.50, bringing the county one step closer to a living wage for all workers.

Whole Foods Reverses English-Only Policy

signon Whole Foods suspended two Albuquerque employees for complaining after they were told they weren’t allowed to speak Spanish at work. So Pat Davis of ProgressNow New Mexico created a MoveOn Petition demanding that the company change its discriminatory English-only policy. Within a week, MoveOn members delivered the petitions’ 15,000 signatures to Whole Foods’ headquarters in Austin, Texas, and Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robb posted a statement apologizing for the ill-conceived policy and announced that it had been reversed.

Michelle Rhee Rescinds Award For Anti-Gay Legislator

signon Michelle Rhee’s national education group StudentsFirst named Tennessee State Representative John Ragan its “Reformer of the Year” in 2012. StudentsFirst continued to support Rep. Ragan after he sponsored legislation known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would have prevented school employees from talking with students about being gay. 11-year-old Marcel Neergaard, who had come out as gay, and was severely bullied in school, created a MoveOn Petition with his family, asking StudentsFirst to withdraw its award to Rep. Ragan. The Neergards worked with allies, and garnered state and national press, and more than 53,000 people signed their petition. Within days, StudentsFirst denounced the anti-gay legislation and rescinded its recognition of Rep. Ragan.

Maine Legislature Passes GMO Labeling Bill

signon When LD 718, an act to require labeling of genetically engineered products in Maine, came up for a vote, Gianna Short of Maine Conservation Voters created a MoveOn Petition to state senators and representatives, asking them to vote for the bill. More than 4,000 MoveOn members supported citizens’ right to know what’s in their food by signing the petition and reaching out to their legislators. The bill passed with a majority of votes in both the House and the Senate.

Private High School Changes Anti-Transgender Dress Code

signon Damian Garcia, a senior at St. Pius High School, asked to walk in a boys’ black cap and gown for graduation. Damian had legally changed his name and his family, friends, classmates, and teachers all knew him as male, but his school refused to recognize his gender identity—just because his birth cerficate reads “female.” That’s why Torrey Moorman and her two sons created a MoveOn Petition to the school’s principal asking that Damian be allowed to walk in a boys’ cap and gown. Nearly 29,000 people signed the petition. While Damian’s school ultimately chose not honor his request for a male robe, his bravery in standing up and the support from this campaign have changed the school’s policy: All future graduates will walk in the same cap and gown, regardless of their gender.

Guitar Center Workers Win Right to Unionize

signon When Bain Capital took over the Guitar Center stores in 2005, they cut insurance benefits, increased mandatory sales targets, slashed wages, and made it harder for employees to earn commissions. That’s why Guitar Center workers created a MoveOn Petition asking company executives to recognize their right to unionize and negotiate for a fair contract. After the petition gathered more than 5,000 signatures, employees at the flagship store in Manhattan won the right to form a union and make their voices heard in the fight for fair treatment and pay.

Boston Parks Department Allocates Funds for Playground Improvement

signon MoveOn member Cathy Ware was worried about the state of her local community playground at the Beethoven School. Outdated play structures and poor groundskeeping made the playground dangerous for the young children who visited. That’s why she created a MoveOn Petition asking the Boston Parks Department to make the park safer. After many local residents signed the petition to show their support, the Parks Department allocated $335,000 for upgrades to be completed in 2014-15.

Rhode Island Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

signon Rhode Island’s marriage equality bill had already passed in the state House when Lisa Roseman Beade created a MoveOn Petition to state senators asking for their support. Senators couldn’t ignore the overwhelming call for marriage equality from their constituents, including the 1,100 MoveOn members who signed Lisa’s petition. On April 24, the state Senate approved the bill by a vote of 26-12. Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the bill on May 2, making Rhode Island the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Amherst Passes Fair Food Truck Law

signon Restaurant-sponsored proposed regulations in Amherst, New York, threatened the burgeoning food truck market with restricted hours and zones, as wells as heavy permit fees. Concerned that the burdensome regulations would stifle vital new businesses in Amherst, Jeremy Horwitz created a MoveOn Petition to the town board. After the petition gathered nearly 3,500 signatures, the board finally passed fair rules to govern food trucks.

Los Angeles Stands Against Citizens United

signon When Proposition C, a ballot measure demanding that Los Angeles legislators support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United came up for a vote, Trent Lange of the California Clean Money Campaign created a MoveOn Petition asking Los Angeles voters to support Prop. C. On May 21, the measure passed by a whopping 76% of the vote.

Arizona Father Reunited With His Family

signon Mexican immigrant Mario Montoya Garcia was arrested on re-entry to the U.S. after he visited Puerto Rico on a work trip. He spent eight months in a Guaynabo jail and was facing deportation charges when his daughter, Reyna Montoya, created a MoveOn Petition to seek prosecutorial discretion and bring her father back to the U.S. After an outpouring of community support, ICE finally decided to release Mario on a bond and reunite him with his family.

Connecticut State Forest Remains Protected

signon Connecticut resident Melissa Pericolosi created a MoveOn Petition to stop the state police from using 30 acres of the Meshomasic State Forest as a firearms training facility. Knowing that the training facility would threaten the park’s wildlife and public recreation areas, nearly 2,000 MoveOn members signed the petition. Governor Dannel P. Malloy heard their voices, and formally announced that the state park location was off the table.

Maine Calls For Citizens United Overturn

signon States all across the U.S. are calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, the controversial Supreme Court decision that ruled corporations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money for political lobbying. Peter Schurman created a MoveOn Petition asking Maine legislators to support a resolution calling for an overturn of Citizens United. After the petition gathered more than 4,500 signatures, the state Senate and House both voted by overwhelming margins to pass the resolution. Maine is now the 13th state to officially call for a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United.

Florida Teen Won’t Face Charges

signon Florida honor student Kiera Wilmot faced not only expulsion, but also criminal charges, when she was accused of conducting an unauthorized science experiment on her high school campus. The resulting social media outcry included several MoveOn Petitions demanding that prosecutors drop the charges against her. The petitions gathered nearly 2,500 signatures, and on May 15, Polk County State Attorney Jerry Hill announced that the state was dismissing the charges and Wilmot could return to school.

Montana Governor Vetoes Guns on Campus Bill

signon When a house bill in Montana threatened to allow guns on school campuses and other public places, Andy Pelosi of GunFreeKids.org took action by creating a MoveOn Petition , which gathered more than 1,000 signatures. After sustained advocacy efforts, Governor Steve Bullock vetoed the bill, and kept concealed weapons out of sporting events, dorm rooms, classrooms, and libraries.

Celeste Greig Ousted From California Republican Leadership

signon Celeste Greig, head of the California Republican Assembly, told the media that pregnancies by rape are rare “because it’s an act of violence, because the body is traumatized.” The Courage Campaign created a MoveOn Petition calling for Greig’s resignation from her leadership position over the unscientific, offensive comments. The petition had gathered more than 28,000 signatures when it was delivered to the California Republican Party headquarters. At a CRA convention, Greig was ousted as California Republican Assembly President by an 84-78 vote for her inflammatory comments about rape.

Montana Restores Family Planning Funding

signon Montana legislators wanted to block federal family planning money from coming into the state via the Title X federal grant program, which would cut access to critical medical services for low-income Montanans. So Stephanie McDowells created a MoveOn Petition asking members of the Montana Legislature to accept the funding. The petition gathered more than 1,000 signatures, and the Legislature voted to restore Title X funding, extending coverage to more than 25,000 Montanans.

Arkansas Restores Scholarship Funding

signon Education cuts threatened funding for the Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholars Program, a full scholarship for top high school students who attend in-state colleges. So Jackson Fitzgibbon created a MoveOn Petition to Governor Mike Beebe. Thanks to the show of support from parents and students across the state, Governor Beebe signed into law the appropriations bill for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, officially funding the scholarship program for 300 deserving recipients.

Maine Rejects Propane Storage Tank Proposal

signon DCP Midstream proposed building of a 22 million-gallon liquid propane storage tank in Searsport, Maine, which would mean more than a hundred trucks carrying highly volatile fuel through small coastal towns, causing noise, air, and light pollution. So Nancy-Linn Nellis created a MoveOn Petition to Maine’s governor and legislature to stop the proposal. Ultimately DCP Midstream withdrew their application for a storage tank in Searsport.

New York City Passes Paid Sick Days Legislation

signon Millions of workers in New York City do not have paid sick days. If they or their children get sick, they must work, forcing them to choose between their job and their family’s health. That’s why Cari Jackson from A Better Balance, noted feminist author Gloria Steinem, Ai-jen Poo from the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Working Families, created MoveOn Petitions asking the New York City Council to pass paid sick day legislation. After a successful campaign with over 18,000 signatures, New York City has become the largest city in the country to provide workers with paid sick days.

Colorado Signs Landmark Gun Bill

signon ‪After the tragic shootings in Aurora, CO, and Newtown, CT, activists across the country have been working on increasing gun protections. Two bills were introduced in the Colorado Legislature that prohibited large-capacity ammunition magazines and required background checks for gun transfers. MoveOn member Bruce Hoppe created a MoveOn Petition that collected over 4,000 signatures, urging the Legislature to pass the bill. After ongoing campaigning by MoveOn and other allies, Governor John Hickenlooper signed the landmark bills into law.

Driver’s Licenses Issued to DREAMers

signon Recently, several states’ Departments of Transportation announced that they would not grant driver’s licenses or state ID cards to young immigrants who qualify for work permits under President Obama’s new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In response, Matt Hildreth started a MoveOn Petition to the Iowa DOT Director asking him to reverse the decision. In Michigan, Adonis Flores, a student leader at Wayne State, along with the organization Progress Michigan, started a MoveOn Petition targeting the Michigan Secretary of State. And most recently, the organizations America’s Voice and the Latin American Coalition started MoveOn Petitions asking North Carolina not to issue pink versions of licenses to young immigrants in place of the standard version. As a result, driver’s licenses will now be issued to young immigrants in Michigan, Iowa, and North Carolina.

Concealed Carry Bill Dropped in the Georgia Senate

signon On March 22, the Georgia House overwhelmingly voted with the gun lobby to approve HB 512—legislation that would, among many things, allow concealed firearms on college campuses and K-12 schools. So Andy Pelosi of GunFreeKids.org started a MoveOn Petition asking the Georgia Senate and Governor Nathan Deal to oppose this legislation. Thanks to a strong showing of public opposition to the bill, it was dropped in the Senate without coming to a vote, and Georgia’s campuses will remain free of concealed weapons.

Tennessee Restores Public School Funding

signon Funding for public education in Tennessee was threatened when Governor Bill Haslam backed a bill to use taxpayers’ dollars to issue vouchers to for-profit private schools. So Jane Curtis and the Rutherford County Retired Teachers Association started a MoveOn Petition to the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Haslam, demanding that public funds be directed toward public education. The day after petition creators delivered the petition and signatures to legislators, Governor Haslam withdrew his support for the voucher bill.

New York Restores Funding for Recreational Trail

signon When budgetary concerns in the state of New York threatened funds for the proposed Catskill Mountain Rail Trail, MoveOn member Eve Fox created two MoveOn Petitions asking New York legislators to restore the funding. The petitions garnered nearly 1,500 signatures. Thanks to the large show of public support, the $2 million in funding for the rail trail was restored in New York’s 2013 budget, and plans to construct the trail are moving ahead at the county level.

Anti-Abortion Advocate Kept Off Mississippi Board of Health

signon After Governor Phil Bryant nominated anti-choice extremist Terri Herring to the Mississippi Board of Health, Mississippi United Against Personhood started a MoveOn Petition urging the Senate to block the nomination. After the petition gathered more than 300 signatures, Governor Bryant withdrew his nomination of Herring to the board.

Cablevision Reinstates Illegally Fired Workers

signon After 6 years on the job, La’kesia Johnson and several other coworkers voted to form a union, but management at Cablevision/Optimum wouldn’t negotiate a contract. Instead they locked out the employees and fired them for speaking out about working conditions. So La’kesia, along with the Communications Workers of America union, created a MoveOn Petition asking that she and her coworkers be reinstated. After gathering over 85,000 signatures, Cablevision/Optimum reinstated all but one of the workers.

Gun-free Zones Upheld in Michigan

signon The Michigan Legislature was considering a bill that would change the current law that prohibits people with concealed-weapons permits from carrying guns in churches, bars, schools, sports arenas, and other public places. So Reverend Eric A. Stone created a MoveOn Petition calling on the Michigan Legislature to keep gun-free zones in Michigan. After collecting over 8,000 signatures, the bill failed to reach the floor for a vote in the Legislature, keeping gun-free zones in Michigan.

Maryland Abolishes the Death Penalty

signon Maryland had a 375-year history of capital punishment when Governor Martin O’Malley brought repeal legislation forward to the Maryland Legislature. So Brian Evans of Amnesty International created a MoveOn Petition asking the Maryland Legislature to pass the bill abolishing the death penalty. The petition gathered over 3,000 signatures, and after allies campaigned in the state, Maryland became the 18th state in the country to abolish the death penalty.

California Rejects Navy Sonar Training

signon The U.S. Navy was set to begin an explosives and sonar training program off the coast of Southern California in 2013. According to estimates, the use of high-frequency underwater sound for testing would deafen more than 15,900 whales and dolphins and kill 1,800 more over the next five years. So MoveOn member Linda Storey created a MoveOn Petition asking the Navy to stop the training program. Linda collected more than 500,000 signatures, and worked with the National Resources Defense Council and others to urge the Navy to end the program. The California Coastal Commission rejected the Navy’s training program, citing the potential harm to endangered blue whales and other sea life.

Violence Against Women Act Passes

signon When partisan infighting was keeping the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) from being reauthorized, rape survivor Sheila Thomas created a MoveOn Petition calling on Republicans in the House to pass VAWA without further delay. The petition gathered more than 219,000 signatures, which Sheila delivered in person to Speaker John Boehner, and signers generated hundreds of calls to Congress. After continued pressure from MoveOn, UltraViolet, and many other allies, the House passed an expanded version of VAWA, which included added protections for LGBT, Native American, and undocumented victims of violence.

Logging Project in Oregon Brought to a Halt

signon In 2009, the United States Forest Service (USFS) proposed a logging sale known as the Goose Project, to thin forests surrounding the community of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. Concerned Bend, Oregon MoveOn member Jerry Gilmour created a MoveOn Petition to the USFS demanding that a non-biased, accurate environmental impact statement be prepared and released to the public before the project could be implemented. U.S. District Court Judge Anne Aiken sided with Jerry and the more than 5,000 petition signers, finding that the USFS broke the law by planning to carry out the project without a detailed environmental impact statement, bringing the Goose Project to a halt.

Bank of Hawaii Stays in Samoa

signon The Bank of Hawaii’s proposed closure of its Samoan offices would have been devastating to American Samoa’s economy, leaving them with no bank. So Drew Astolfi, of Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) created a MoveOn Petition urging the bank not to pull out without a public hearing. The Bank of Hawaii agreed to hold a public hearing, and after doing so, decided that they need more time to make a decision about the future of their presence in Samoa.

Cooper Union Continues Full Tuition Scholarships

signon Cooper Union has historically offered its students full tuition scholarships. In the face of the financial crisis, however, the board of trustees was set to vote to discontinue the policy. MoveOn member and Cooper Union alumnus Henry Chapman created a MoveOn Petitionto Cooper Union’s president, urging him to vote to keep the school’s foundational mission of free education. After collecting more than 3,000 signatures, gathering community input, and generating calls, the school’s trustees delayed their decision, guaranteeing full tuition for the incoming class of 2014.

Albuquerque Enforces Minimum Wage for Restaurant Employees

moveon When Eric Szeman, the owner of the Route 66 Malt Shop in Albuquerque, refused to pay his employees the minimum wage they earned, they complained to the city. When they didn’t get any response, Pat Davis from Progress Now New Mexico created a petition calling on Szeman to follow the law and Mayor Richard Berry to enforce it. After the petition collected more than 1,900 signatures, and there was a successful boycott and protest, the city attorney enforced the minimum wage ordinance.

Arizona Protects Climate Science in Classrooms

moveon After legislation was introduced that would allow climate denial to be taught in Arizona public schools, Vincent Pawlowski started a petition, along with 350.org and Forecast the Facts, urging committee chairwoman Kimberly Yee to kill the bill. After the petition collected 10,000 signatures, the bill failed to make it to the Senate floor, ensuring that Arizona public school children will be taught the scientific realities of climate change.

Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward

moveon When states had the opportunity to expand Medicaid benefits by accepting national funds through Obamacare, several tea party governors resisted. So New Mexico MoveOn member Robbyne Jones created a petition calling on Governor Susana Martinez to carry out the Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, in Michigan and Ohio, Fran Brennan and Dan Heck from Working America started petitions calling on Governors Rick Snyder and John Kasich to accept the funding. After the petitions collected a combined 16,000 signatures, and after grassroots campaigning by advocates, Governors Martinez, Snyder, and Kasich accepted the funds, vastly extending health care coverage in their states.

Virginia Gerrymandering Amendment Rejected

moveon Early in Virginia’s 2013 legislative session, Senate Republicans proposed an unconstitutional amendment to allow them to gerrymander new Senate district lines mid-decade. Senator Ralph Northam created a petition calling on Governor McDonnell to reject the power grab. After the petition gathered more than 13,000 signatures, the Virginia House speaker killed the proposed amendment.

Olympic Diving Facility to be Rebuilt

moveon Plans to rebuild the historic Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach, CA, once home to several Olympic divers, did not include an updated diving facility. So Scott Pierson created a petition urging the Long Beach City Council to include diving in its rebuilding plans. The petition gathered more than 1,400 signatures,and after a public hearing with testimony by Greg Louganis and other swimmers and divers,the City Council approved the expanded plans.

Michigan Issues Driver’s Licenses to DREAMers

moveon When Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced that young immigrants who have been allowed to stay in Michigan by recent action from the Obama administration would not be allowed to apply for driver’s licenses, Adonis Flores, a student leader at Wayne State, along with the organization Progress Michigan, started a petition asking Johnson to reverse her decision. After a large showing of public support and pressure from the immigrant youth movement and allied organizations, Michigan decided to issue driver’s licenses to DREAMers.

$2.5 Million for Atlanta Bike Lane Improvements

moveon In early February, the Atlanta City Council met to decide on whether to allocate $2.5 million to improving the city’s bike lanes. In order to show widespread support for the bike improvements, local resident Jonathan Bautista started a petition calling on the City Council to approve the funding. The City Council approved the measure, which will create 15 miles of bike lanes in much-needed areas throughout Atlanta.

Mississippi Passes Bill to Regulate Private Colleges

moveon Over the past decade, enrollment at for-profit colleges has grown exponentially. Mississippi is host to dozens of for-profit colleges. While they are regulated by the state, enforcement is uneven, and standards across schools are inconsistent. To bring attention to this issue, Whitney Barkley started a petition demanding that the Mississippi Legislature tighten regulations on private colleges. The Mississippi Legislature passed a bill that more stringently regulates private schools and addresses the specific concerns about teacher standards that Barkley laid out in her petition.

Iowa DOT Issues Driver’s Licenses to Young Immigrants

moveon When the Iowa Department of Transportation announced that it would not grant driver’s licenses or state ID cards to young immigrants who qualify for work permits under President Obama’s new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Matt Hildreth started a petition. Along with local rights groups, he called for Iowa DOT Director, Paul Trombino to reverse his decision. After consulting the Governor’s office, Iowa DOT began issuing driver’s licenses, a decision that will affect nearly 5,000 young Iowans.

Illinois Circuit Court of Appeals to Review Concealed Weapons Challenge

moveon Illinois’ concealed weapons ban was struck down by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals citing that gun use outside the home is warranted for self-defense. The “Concealed Carry” allows citizens to carry weapons in public, or anywhere other than in their own homes. Stop Concealed Carry Coalition started a petition urging legislators to reverse their decision gathered more than 7,000 signatures. With gun control advocates’ campaign against the pro-gun lobby, Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the 7th Circuit court of Appeals to rehear the case challenging Illinois’ ban on carrying concealed weapons.

NY Appeals Court Orders Election Officials to Open 99 Ballots

moveon In the race for New York State Senate between Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk and Republican George Amedore there are still hundreds of ballots left to be counted. The final margin of 37 votes allowed a NY State judge to certify Amedore as the winner. By failing to count the remaining ballots and failing to address technical problems, voters were disenfranchised by the Board of Elections improper guidance. In response, Carole Furman and Barbara Bravo started a petition demanding every vote to be counted. After a panel of appellate justices reviewed the results, they ordered election officials to count 99 absentee and affidavit ballots.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Vetoes Concealed Weapons Bill

moveon Governor Rick Snyder vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed firearms to be carried in schools and other “gun-free zones.” The bill, passed by the Michigan legislature, also included a sweeping rewrite of Michigan’s existing gun law that would have made it easier for people to obtain gun permits. Rev. Eric A. Stone started a petition on that gathered more than 8,000 signatures calling on elected officials to keep gun-free zones in Michigan. “These public venues need clear legal authority to ban firearms on their premises if they fit to do so,” said Gov. Snyder.

Mount Tom Casino Development Denied

moveon Holyoke’s Mount Tom is an irreplaceable natural and economic resource for all the Connecticut River Valley. When Paper City Development proposed building a casino at Wyckoff Country Club on the Mount Tom Range, the announcement outraged those in the community who saw a treasured natural resource being squandered by commercial development. Gerrit Stover created a petition which gathered almost 3,000 signatures urging the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to reject the proposal. With his petition as wells as a community led campaign against the plan, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse finally decided against the casino development.

Trapping Ordinance Passes in White Bear Lake

moveon In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports from around Minnesota, including White Bear Lake, of pets being killed by body grip traps. These traps often catch non-target wildlife species, even rare and endangered animals. Scott Slocum started a petition urging the White Bear Township Board to protect pets and children from traps after his dog was lured into body grip trap. The voice of the community was heard and the White Bear Lake Council Members voted 4-1 for a new trapping ordinance that will effectively protect pets and children from traps.

San Diego Worker Comp Fraud Billboards in Spanish Removed

moveon When the San Diego County District attorney, Bonny Dumais, put up Spanish-language billboards in North Park containing an intimidating message about workers’ compensation fraud, many in the neighborhood felt it denigrated Latinos. North Park resident, Steven Shultz, filed a complaint with the DA’s Office only to be dismissed. Steven decided to start a petition in response to the fear-mongering billboards targeting Latinos, demanding that the City of San Diego take down the billboards immediately. Finally, on December 4, the last remaining workers’ comp fraud billboard in North Park was taken down sometime in the morning.

Papa John’s CEO Says He Will Honor Obamacare

moveon After President Barack Obama’s re-election, Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter warned that the company’s franchisees were likely to reduce employees’ hours to avoid offering health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Schnatter’s plan to punish his employees and use Obamacare as an excuse to makes changes at his company was met with loud public outcry from many communities. Richard Quandt’s petition urging Schnatter to stop threatening his workers gathered more than 120,000 signatures. In response to widespread criticism and opposition to his plans, Schnatter announced that he will honor Obamacare and offer health insurance to all his employees.

Minnesota Rejects Voter ID Amendment

moveon When the GOP controlled Minnesota legislature agreed to put a pro-Voter ID constitutional amendment on the November 6 ballot, they thought it would be a sure win. Voting rights groups immediately denounced the ballot measure as a way suppress turnout by elderly people, young people and minorities, who are least likely to have identification showing their current address. With the campaigning efforts of community groups and Minnesota voters like petition creator Liz Loeb, the voter ID constitutional amendment was rejected on Election Day.

Washington State Voters Approve Gay Marriage

moveon After Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the voter-approved marriage equality legislation into law, opponents immediately worked to block the law. They submitted 200,000 signatures seeking a public vote on the issue. To show that the majority of Washingtonias support marriage equality, Washington United for Marriage‘s campaign manager Zach Silk started a petition urging voters to approve Referendum 74. With 53% of the vote, Referendum 74 passed, preserving the freedom to marry for all.

SLU Retains Staff Position For Mass Choir Ensemble

moveon When the Saint Louis University administration announced that the choir’s piano player for the past 5 years will be replaced by a student worker, Gretchen Weber started a petition asking SLU reverse the decision. The petition signers felt that the choir’s musical success hinges on a “strong and talented person on the church’s primary instrument.” Even though the student’s voices were initially, an ongoing, part-time staff position was finally allocated to provide lasting continuity and increased support for our worshipping community.

LIPA Held Accountable for Poor Response to Hurricane Sandy

moveon John Soldo’s petition, to hold LIPA accountable for their poor response in handling Hurricane Sandy, gathered more than 10,000 signatures. After widespread citizen complaints, New York Governor Cuomo formed a 10-member investigative panel that will review the utilities’ preparation and recommend ways to overhaul New York’s power delivery system. It will also examine the roles played by the state-run agencies, including the New York Power Authority, LIPA and the Public Service Commission.

Citibank Forgives Student Loans for Grieving Families

moveon When Keith and Michelle Norris’ daughter Brittani was killed in a tragic car accident three days before her twenty-third birthday—just a week before her college graduation—she had student loans she still had to pay off. While her parents grieved, Citibank continued to demand payment. After more than three years of pleading with Citibank, they started an online petition. Within 18 hours of the petition beginning, Citibank reached out to Keith and Michelle. The loans were finally discharged, and Citibank has since changed their policy on loan forgiveness for students who die before graduation.

Voter Intimidation Billboards Taken Down in Ohio

moveon When Clear Channel-owned billboards stating “Voter Fraud is a Felony” appeared in African-American and Latino neighborhoods in Cleveland, it was clearly designed to intimidate minority voters from casting legal votes. In response, voting rights groups demanded that Clear Channel take them down immediately. Rashad Robinson from Color of Change started a petition, and a widespread outcry from community activists pushed Clear Channel to take down the billboards. Clear Channel donated billboards around Cleveland that read “Voting is Not a Crime.”

WA Board of Education Moves Against Native American Mascots

moveon In Washington State, there are roughly twenty high schools with Native American mascots. Matt Remle, who runs a web-based group called Indigenous Action, circulated a petition to to formally ask the Washington State Board of Education to end the use of Native American mascots in public schools. His petition, along with the resolution, were presented to the WSBE in May. On September 6, the WSBE voted unanimously to pass the resolution to end the use of Native American mascots in Washington State’s public schools. In addition, the resolution calls on districts to close the widening gap between Native American and other students.

California Gov. Brown Signs the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act

UW Voter ID Juveniles in California can be sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Human Rights Watch found nationally that 59 percent of juveniles sentenced to life without parole were first-time offenders. California’s use of this sentence for youth is among the most unjust in the nation. Kevan Insko from Friends Committee on Legislation of California gathered nearly 3,000 signatures in support of Senate Bill 9. If enacted, the bill gives hundreds of juveniles a chance to earn parole after serving a minimum of 25 years. Eventually, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 9, the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, giving California youth sentenced to die in prison a second chance at life.

Federal District Court Orders Ohio to Restore Early Voting

moveon In an attempt to limit voter access to the polls, Secretary of State Jon Husted ordered all early voting to stop on Friday afternoon before Election Day. Following unprecedented African-American voter turnout in Ohio during the 2008 presidential election, Republicans there have been looking for ways to diminish the community’s electoral power. Color of Change, one of many organizations working to stop voter suppression, created a petition calling for the restoration of early voting rights in Ohio. Shortly after, the Federal District Court restored in-person early voting in Ohio, stating that it “places all Ohio voters on equal standing.”

University of Missouri Press Saved

moveon When UM President Tim Wolfe announced that the press would be phased out starting in July to save a $400,000 yearly subsidy, thousands of people protested by writing letters to Wolfe and signing Ned Stuckey-French’s petition. His petition to save the University of Missouri Press gathered more than 5,000 signatures. Widespread protest prompted university officials to scrap the plans, and in August they announced the press would remain open at its current location with the remaining staff.

Judge Partially Blocks PA Voter ID Law

moveon When the Pennsylvania State House passed House Bill 934, the legislation guaranteed many eligible voters would be turned away at the polls. A Pittsburgh teacher, Steven Signer, started a petition opposing the law. Steven’s petition was signed by 21,000 people and helped put pressure on federal courts to act. Responding to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Advancement Project, and others, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson issued an injunction allowing 750,000 voters to cast a ballot in the 2012 election.

Industry Executive Blocked from Utah Nuclear Regulatory Board

moveon When Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah Senate appointed EnergySolutions executive David Shrum to the Radiation Control Board, an advisory panel that helps set policy for the state’s radioactive materials regulation program, it jeopardized the board’s effectiveness and created a conflict of interest. But Ty Markham started a petition urging opposing Shrum’s appointment to the board. After public pressure, the Office of Legislative Auditor General launched audit on the appointment that prompted senators to rescind Shrum’s nomination.

Fargo Forum Ends Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Announcements

Fargo Forum After the largest paper in North Dakota refused to print a marriage announcement from a local same-sex couple, Patricia Holly from Rhame, North Dakota, joined a large online backlash by starting a petition calling the Forum to reverse their policy. Within days, Matthew Von Pinnon, editor of The Forum, announced that his paper would end the ban and begin publishing notices for all marriages.

Firefighters Get Health Insurance

Fed Insurance When he learned that brave firefighters battling wildfires in Colorado weren’t getting health insurance, Chris Bowers from Daily Kos started a petition to Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The petition said, “It is outrageous that firefighters battling the blazes in Colorado and around the country are not eligible for federal health insurance.” Chris gathered close to 8,000 signatures, and thousands more were gathered by others, all of which helped to convince Congress to join with President Obama and end this injustice.

Election Reform Package Passes in the Massachusetts State House

moveon It has been 20 years since Massachusetts updated its voter registration system. That’s why Avi Green, Co-Director of MassVote, launched a petition calling on the MA State House to pass Election Reform H.4022. The bill allows citizens to download and print voter registration forms as wells as let teens pre-register to vote. In late May 2012, the Massachusetts State House passed the reform bill that will protect the integrity of the vote and strengthen the vote counting process.

Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Saved

Tree Governor Corbett and the Pennsylvania state legislature agreed to fully fund the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Adam Garber and his organization Penn Environment started a petition that received more than 10,000 signatures in support of the Keystone Fund. “For years, the Keystone Fund saved the places that made Pennsylvania great. So it was crucial that we work save the Keystone Fund,” said David Masur of PennEnvironment.

Fighting Student Loan Debt

Robert Applebaum Robert Applebaum, an attorney in New York, started a petition calling for student loan forgiveness and it spread quickly, gathering more than half a million signatures. Then, something amazing happened. President Obama responded—not with a form letter, but with an actual change in policy that will lower student loan payments for over 1.6 million people. Robert has now launched an organization called Student Debt Crisis and is working with progressive champions in Congress to provide student loan forgiveness for all students in need.

Justice for Kenneth Chamberlain

Kenneth Chamberlain Sr When 68-year-old veteran Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. was shot and killed in his apartment by police responding to a call from his medical alert service, his son assumed there would be an investigation. After months of waiting, Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. started a petition to ask for one. In the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, the petition received over 200,000 signatures and national media coverage. The White Plains mayor finally issued condolences to the family, and Kenneth Jr. continues to fight for justice for his own father as wells as the reforms necessary to prevent future injustices.
Jasmine Jasmine Thar was a 16-year-old African American girl who was shot and killed while preparing for a routine shopping trip with her family. The 23-year-old Caucasian male who fired the fatal shot was not charged with a crime of any kind because he claims it was an accident—despite the fact that police found a Confederate flag and Nazi literature in his home. Jasmine’s family started a petition demanding justice, and a case that was about to be swept under the rug has now received tremendous media attention in North Carolina and become the subject of a federal civil rights investigation.

Utah Governor Vetoes Ban on Sex Education

Utah When extreme religious conservatives in Utah tried to pass a bill banning sex education in public schools, preventing young people from getting critical information about STDs, pregnancy, and contraception, over 40,000 MoveOn members spoke out and successfully helped convince the state’s governor to veto the bill. The petition was started by Paul Krueger, a school bus driver and retired firefighter, who said, “I’ve never done anything like this, and it’s kind of amazing how fast this took off.”

Florida Prison Privatization Bill Stopped

Bullins Florida’s Republican Governor Rick Scott tried to fast-track legislation to privatize 29 prisons without public input. But corrections officer Christina Bullins knew first-hand that prison privatization would undermine public safety and waste tax dollars, so she started a petition that garnered over 27,000 petition signatures. In the face of widespread public opposition, Republicans had to admit that they didn’t have the votes to pass the bill and never even brought it up for a vote.

Idaho Drops Ultrasound Bill

Idaho ultrasound As part of their infamous “War on Women” Republicans have passed laws in state after state forcing women to submit to an invasive ultrasound procedure before getting an abortion. When a similar bill came up in the very conservative state of Idaho, it seemed sure to pass. Susan Philley was one of hundreds of Idahoans who refused to back down. She started a petition that was signed by over 5,000 people—a stunning number in this small state. Republicans withdrew the bill, and Idaho Rep. Vito Barbieri, a co-sponsor of the bill explained, “I think that the proponents just weren’t ready for the firestorm that it lit.”

AG Holder Blocks Texas and South Carolina Voter Suppression Laws

Judith Browne Dianis In state after state, Republicans have passed laws to make voting more difficult for poor people, African-Americans, Latinos, and other groups who tend to vote Democratic. Judith Browne Dianis, Co-Director of Advancement Project, launched a petition as part of a major nationwide campaign calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to halt implementation of these laws in states with a history of racist voter suppression. So far the Justice Department has blocked both the South Carolina and Texas voter suppression laws, and Judith and her organization are using MoveOn’s petition website to fight similar laws in dozens of states around the country.

Protections for Maine’s North Woods

Ally Fields The Maine North Woods are the largest undeveloped forest east of the Rockies, but Governor Paul LePage led an effort to throw open the North Woods to development. Alexandra Fields of Environment Maine started a petition opposing these efforts, and after a public outcry Gov. LePage’s worst proposals were killed, including an especially awful provision to allow entire counties to drop out of the protections of a key state oversight commission.

Collective Bargaining Rights Protected in South Dakota

South Dakota South Dakota Republicans tried to strip firefighters, teachers, police officers, and other public workers of their collective bargaining rights, following the lead of right-wing governors in other states, like Scott Walker. But Mark Anderson of the South Dakota State Federation of Labor started a petition urging state legislators to vote no on the bill. One legislator was heard saying that he’s never received so many emails on any issue ever. By the time the bill finally came for a vote in committee it was so unpopular that it was defeated unanimously 13-0.

The St. Mark’s Bookstore: Saved!

St Marks St. Mark’s Bookstore, a legendary progressive bookstore and community institution in Lower Manhattan, was at risk of going out of business when their lease was up and they couldn’t afford their rent, which was set before the downturn. Their allies in the community started a petition that went viral, attracting the attention of local media and The New York Times. Even filmmaker Michael Moore took notice, retweeting the petition and scheduling a special “Save St. Mark’s” book signing. After weeks of campaigning and tens of thousands of signatures, the landlord agreed to a compromise and St. Mark’s was saved.

Paul LePage vs. Maine Public Broadcasting

MPBN When Maine tea party Governor Paul LePage tried to eliminate all state support for the state’s public TV and radio stations, MoveOn member Tom Foreman started a petition to restore the funding. Over 17,000 people in the state signed the petition—more than 1% of Maine’s entire population. Ultimately Gov. LePage backed down, and Maine State Legislator Diane Russell said about the petition, “I can tell you, inside the capitol it really made a difference.”

No Fracking in the Delaware River Valley

Kowalko Delaware Governor Jack Markell was the deciding vote on the Delaware River Basin Commission on proposed weak fracking regulations that would have threatened the drinking water of more than 15 million people. Unsure how the governor would vote on this terrible proposal, progressive Delaware state legislator John Kowalko started a petition urging the governor to vote no. After more than 1,000 signatures and a wave of media coverage, Gov. Markell announced he would oppose the weak regulations, protecting the region’s drinking water.

Attacks on Workers’ Rights Stopped in San Jose

Ash Kalra When three of his fellow San Jose Council Members and the mayor proposed a bill to strip city workers of their benefits and take away their collective bargaining rights, progressive Councilmember Ash Kalra refused to let his city become the next Wisconsin. More than 4,000 people, most in San Jose, signed Ash’s petition, and under intense pressure the mayor and council leader delayed the vote on the bill twice before dropping the attacks on collective bargaining for the rest of the session—a huge win for workers’ rights.

Voter IDs for University of Wisconsin Students

UW Voter ID After Governor Scott Walker passed legislation to make it harder to vote for college students, poor people, seniors, and African Americans, Madison residents Gene and Sandy Lundergan started a petition urging the university chancellor to issue ID cards to students that would comply with the new law and help students vote. Teaming up with campus groups like the Young Progressives, they convinced the university to issue a new student voter ID that Wisconsin students are already using to vote in this year’s crucially important recall and presidential elections.

Fighting Florida’s War on Women

scott randolph In 2011 alone, Florida Republicans introduced 18 separate bills to restrict a woman’s right to choose. But progressive champion Rep. Scott Randolph fought back. When Dean Cannon, the Republican Speaker of the House, tried to silence debate on the issue, Scott launched a petition demanding Speaker Cannon allow full debate and end the war on choice. Scott’s battle with the speaker got national media attention and helped spark a grassroots backlash and almost every one of their anti-choice proposals was stopped. Tilted Kilt When owners of the rabidly sexist restaurant chain “Tilted Kilt” tried to open a new franchise in Evanston, Illinois, Kathleen Flaherty and Cynthia Farenga said “no way.” After collecting more than 1,000 signatures, they delivered their petition at a public liquor commission hearing and were joined by dozens of petition-signers with signs. In the face of clear community opposition, the Tilted Kilt was denied a liquor license by the city and kept out of Kathleen and Cynthia’s neighborhood.

Ending Childhood Obesity—One School Lunch at a Time

Ivana Kadija Ivana Kadija was worried about the amount of sugar in the meals at her daughters’ school and decided to do something about it. She started a petition to reduce the sugar limit in school meals, originally set at 35% of total calories. The local media picked up on her petition, which garnered over 1000 signatures from the Charlottesville area, and the school board ultimately adopted her recommendations.

Solar Power for Washington, D.C.

DC solar Solar power has tremendous potential to create jobs, grow local businesses, and protect the environment in Washington, D.C., where air pollution ranks among the worst in the country. Anya Schoolman and her organization the Mt. Pleasant Solar Cooperative started a petition supporting legislation to require PEPCO, the city’s main utility company, to use homegrown renewable power and help put more solar on the rooftops of our nation’s capital. The bill was bottled up for months, but after more than 2,000 D.C. residents signed Anya’s petition, the bill was finally brought to a vote and passed unanimously.