Each month, we’ll bring you biweekly posts highlighting the amazing work of Care2 members. Since we last checked in, plenty of Care2 petitions have taken off in major ways. Read on to see how online activists are making waves and creating real change.
Sarah Jones Honored During Academy Awards
Film crew member Sarah Jones, 27, was killed by a freight train on Feb. 13th while working on a movie. Her death sparked an outpouring of compassion from her friends and family, Hollywood, and online activists. A Care2 petition created by Anderson Vilien, an assistant director and producer, asked that Sarah be honored during the 86th Academy Awards’ In Memoriam tribute, which highlights those in the filmmaking industry who have died in the past year. Nearly 62,000 people signed the petition, and plenty of news outlets covered the campaign. Here are just a few:
The petition was successful — the Academy Awards aired a graphic featuring Sarah’s name during the ceremony:
Anderson tweeted his gratitude for the Academy’s positive response, and called for broader change and increased safety standards during filmmaking. You can view his petition here.
24,000 Sign On to Save 5-Year-Old’s Pet Rooster
Five-year-old Ayla Macnab bought her pet rooster, Dallas, with her own money in August 2012 and has been preparing him to show in a 4H show this summer. She loves taking care of Dallas, even allowing him to sneak into her bedroom for treats! But when city officials in her hometown of Dufur, OR implemented a new ordinance banning roosters within city limits, the Macnab family was told Dallas had to go. Ayla even offered to pay the city $186 of her savings for Disneyland in order to keep her beloved pet. More than 24,000 Care2 members signed Ayla’s petition to save Dallas, and local news outlets covered the controversy:
Check out Ayla’s petition and add your signature to save Dallas!
6,000 Activists Put NY’s Annual “Squirrel Slam” In Jeopardy
On Feb. 22, Holley, NY held its annual “Squirrel Slam” – an event that makes light of needless slaughter in the name of fundraising for the town’s fire department. Holley’s population is just 1,800, but thousands more were outraged over the killing and hoped to stop the event, which is in its eighth year. The petition gained coverage in Orleans Hub, and Edita Birnkrant, New York director of animals rights group Friends of Animals, delivered Care2 petition signatures on the day of the event:
Click here to sign the petition and demand future Squirrel Slams be stopped!
More Than 35,000 Hope to Save NY’s Swans
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently unveiled a proposal to kill 2,200 of the state’s mute swans by 2025. Care2 activists jumped to task, and more than 35,000 signed Janelle Barabash’s petition to save the swans.
“There are other safe methods…death is a cruel choice,” Janelle said. “Mute swans have adapted to our waters over many years and deserve the same protection as our other natural wildlife.”
On Feb. 28, The New York Times reported the state would consider nonlethal methods to reduce the swan population — but there’s no telling if it’s just an empty promise. Sign Janelle’s petition demanding NY commit to protecting its swans today!
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All of these stories are a great testament to the power of online petitions created on Care2. Is there an issue or cause you care about? Create a petition today, and show the world what you would like to be changed.