Petitions For Alton Sterling And Philando Castile

As details surrounding the fatal police shootings of two black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday and Falcon Heights, Minnesota, on Wednesday, respectively, continue to trickle in, outraged and saddened activists across the country are pressing for action in various ways. These two shootings contribute two more names to the growing list of black people killed by police fire, a tally which has reached 123 so far this year, according to the Washington Post. As of Thursday, a federal investigation into the death of Castile had been called for by Minnesota's governor, Mark Dayton. According to U.S. News and World Report, the Justice Department was "assessing the situation" after the governor made a phone call to the White House chief of staff. The Justice Department has already opened an investigation into the shooting of Sterling.

Ways to bring justice and aide to the loved ones of Sterling, Castile, and the others killed by police is in demand now more than ever, and signing a petition is one way to add your voice. There are petitions started by advocates across the country who seek to ensure that the police in each case are held responsible. If enough signatures are reached, letters will be sent to a number of leaders who can potentially create concrete improvements, from those in state legislatures to those in the Department of Justice and even to President Obama.

Petition Site: Justice For Alton Sterling

This petition targets the Department of Justice, demanding that it "takes immediate action in charging and arresting the two officers who misused their power and took Alton Sterling’s life without cause." At the time of writing, it was only 978 names away from its 14,000 signature goal. You can sign here.

Change.org: Justice For Alton Sterling — Denise Marcelle

If this petition reaches its signatures foal, a letter sent to Louisiana Representative Denise Marcelle. it asks that she continue the pressure for a federal investigation, and that the police officers be suspended without pay. At the time of writing, only 298 signatures were needed to reach its goal of 500. You can sign here.

Change.org: Justice For Alton Sterling — Barack Obama

This other petition is aimed directly at President Obama. It states:

We are humans with beating hearts that are bleeding from the treatment of our ancestors and relatives TODAY.

You can sign here.

We The People: File Charges

We the People, a platform by the White House, has this petition calling for charges to be brought against the officers involved in the shooting of Sterling. It demands: "a swift and just investigation into this case and for charges to ultimately be filed." At the time of writing, if it gains 99,918 more signatures by Aug. 5, the White House will respond to it.

You can sign here:

The Petition: Justice For Philando Castile

This petition is titled, "Justice for Philando Castile, yet another Black man murdered by police," is directed at the Department of Justice (DOJ). It states:

We demand that the DOJ investigate, charge and arrest the officer who shot Philando Castile and watched him bleed to death in front of his girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter.

It's goal is 25,000 signatures, and at the time of writing, it had already garnered 24,329. You can add your name to the list here.

Change.Org: Justice For Philando Castile

This petition is also directed at the Department of Justice. Specifically, it states that it "requests the action of the United States Department of Justice to indict the involved police officer, as well as fight for a conviction.” It is almost half way to its 500 name goal. At the time of writing it has 333, close but not quite yet at its goal of 500. You can sign here.

Change.Org: National Action Against Police Brutality!

This petition has already gained 41,072 signatures at the time of writing and is aiming to hit 50,000. It demands "national action against police brutality" and calls to "prosecute police who murder unarmed individuals." It implores Lynch "to not only act on behalf of the people of the United State, but to fulfill the obligations of the office."

You can sign here.