From those small cabbage whites to the largest swallowtails, there are thousands of unique and beloved butterfly species on the planet. Many of us see them outside every day in the spring and summer, but how much do you know about these colorful insects? Here are 10 fascinating facts to consider next time you cross a butterfly’s path. 1. There are more than 17,500 recorded butterfly species around the world, 750 of which can be found in the United States. 2. Butterflies and moths are … [Read more...]
Amnesty International Day, celebrated May 28
May 28, 2015 by
Amnesty International was founded in London in 1961, following the publication of the article "The Forgotten Prisoners" in The Observer 28 May 1961, by the lawyer Peter Benenson. Citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles 18 and 19, it announced a campaign on "Appeal for Amnesty, 1961" and called for "common action". Amnesty International is a non-governmental organisation focused on human rights with over 3 million members and supporters around the world. The objective of the … [Read more...]
Mental Health Crisis is REAL, Take Action!
October 26, 2014 by
This year, up to 8% of young Canadians will try to take their own lives. We can be doing so much more to provide for youth mental health needs and prevent tragedies such as suicide. Teenagers are hit particularly hard by suicide, with 500 Canadian teens taking their own lives each year – second only to car crashes among the most common causes of death for that age group. Tell Parliament: Save The Lives Of Young Canadians What is the biggest risk for youth today? Your first thought might … [Read more...]
Forced to marry her rapist — days until the big vote
January 10, 2014 by
16 year-old Amina Filali, raped, beaten and forced to wed her rapist, killed herself — the only way she saw to escape the trap set for her by her rapist and Moroccan law. We’ve joined Moroccan activists, campaigning for years to repeal this provision, and now victory is within reach. This week, one last vote could make it happen. Article 475 in Morocco’s penal code allows a rapist to avoid prosecution and a long prison sentence by marrying his victim if she is a minor. It’s any rape … [Read more...]
Somalia: Don’t Jail Women for Getting Raped
December 18, 2013 by
Somalia's treatment of rape is unacceptable and must be changed. Sign the petition and urge the Somali government to pursue true justice-no matter who the accusers or the accused are. Target: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Goal: Stop the imprisonment of rape survivors and the journalists who report their stories in Somalia Rape is a touchy subject all over the world, and rape victims are unfortunately often subject to suspicion, skepticism, and blame. Somalia, however, has … [Read more...]
Canada, Rent or Food? We Shouldn’t Have to Choose!
June 30, 2013 by
Hunger and affordable housing issues go hand-in-hand for Canadians with low incomes. But we shouldn't have to choose between affording food and paying rent! Rising housing costs often leave families without enough income to cover necessities like food, driving them to food banks for the most basic form of assistance. A quarter of all Canadians spend more than 30% of their income on housing, pushing these costs of out of the threshold of affordability. Tell the government that … [Read more...]
Woman Taking Action, 92 year old mother denied healthcare!
May 24, 2013 by
My mother arrived in Canada 20 years ago and applied to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, but since then she has been forgotten and ignored. They told her she would receive an answer by 2001, but today, 12 years later, we are still waiting, calling for answers... Because of this, because they have forgotten about her file, my mother is now being denied the health care she urgently needs. When I call Citizenship and Immigration Canada and enter my mother's application number this is the … [Read more...]
‘Watching my daughter slip through the cracks’, a plea to Take Action!
February 28, 2013 by
My daughter was sent away from the hospital during a serious mental health episode. BC's hospitals need to start providing emergency care for kids in crisis. Last month, my 11 year old daughter Jeanette* was sent home from the hospital in the middle of a mental health crisis. She was hurting herself and her family. We begged the nurses to let her stay but still the hospital sent us away. Jeanette has bipolar disorder. Kids with bipolar can have sudden episodes of extreme depression … [Read more...]
City of Paris is Taking Action – Depardieu and #PussyRiot
January 30, 2013 by
On February 11 and 12, 2013, Paris City Council will have the opportunity to make Nadejda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina and Maria Samoutsevitch Alekhina, jailed members of the band Pussy Riot, honorary citizens of Paris, France. The motion will be brought forward by Denis Baupin and is supported by other members of the Paris Green Party. In light of Russia's decision to grant citizenship to infamous French actor, Gerard Depardieu after he decided to leave France this month to avoid paying taxes, … [Read more...]
