From anti-bullying to chickens: Top 10 causes Hoosiers championed on Change.org petitions in 2023
Anti-bullying, midwifery and backyard chickens are among the online campaigns that got the most support from Hoosiers this year on charge.org. The social action platform lets users create and sign petitions advocating for causes.
These are the most signed by users in Indiana on the platform in 2023.
Tell the Indiana Assembly to pass Bill 1483 to stop bullying
Started: March 18, 2023
Number of supporters: 97,370
Born out of the tragic death of 13-year-old Terry Badger III, the petition preempted the passage of HB 1483, known as the TB3 bill, into law in Indiana. The new law prioritizes the safety of bullying victims, mandates rapid reporting of incidents to families, allows for the transfer of students for safety, and provides parents with suicide and bullying prevention materials.
Ban the use of foot-hold "dog proof" raccoon traps in Indiana
Started: May 13, 2023
Number of supporters: 35,304
This petition by Kristen Williams calls for legislation to ban the use of foot-hold raccoon traps in Indiana, emphasizing the cruelty and inhumanity of these traps. Describing the traps' impact on animals, the petition highlights the suffering, injuries, and fatalities caused by the devices.
Save hospital-based midwifery care in Lafayette, Indiana
Started: March 12, 2023
Number of supporters: 20,073
This petition urges IU Health Arnett and Franciscan Health in Lafayette, Indiana, to reinstate Certified Nurse Midwives' delivery privileges, citing concerns about patient care quality and options. The petition emphasizes the importance of midwife care and calls for collaboration, policy reassessment, and transparency in birth outcomes reporting.
Keep Kinsey Institute at Indiana University
Started: Nov. 1, 2023
Number of supporters: 9,344
Jen Bass started this petition that opposes the proposed relocation of the Kinsey Institute from Indiana University to a separate 501c3 organization, emphasizing concerns about the vulnerability of the institute and the potential detachment of the Kinsey Institute Library and Special Collections. Petition signers call on IU officials to preserve the unity of the Kinsey Institute and its collections at Indiana University.
Stop canine overpopulation in Indianapolis
Started: Aug. 27, 2023
Number of supporters: 5,448
Amy DeBrota is campaigning to address the man-made dog overpopulation crisis in Indianapolis, highlighting a strain on Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) and the euthanasia of adoptable dogs. It calls on the Indianapolis City-County Council, mayor, and Marion County prosecutor to address the issue by encouraging spay/neuter services, requiring licensure of canine breeders with microchipping, registration, and increasing prosecution of animal-related crimes to alleviate the strain on IACS and reduce the rate of euthanasia.
Tell Congress to zward Marshall W. ‘Major’ Taylor the Congressional Gold Medal
Started: Jan. 24, 2023
Number of supporters: 4,430
The Bronzeville Trail Task Force petitions the U.S. House of Representatives, advocating for the recognition of Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, the first African-American cycling champion of the world, through the Major Taylor Initiative. The petition urges support for a bill awarding Taylor the Congressional Gold Medal. It highlights his remarkable achievements in the face of racial prejudice and his enduring impact on the cycling community.
Stop the LEAP Pipeline: Protect our aquifer, preserve our water
Started: Sept. 30, 2023
Number of supporters: 5,162
Initiated by a concerned Lafayette resident, the petition opposes the construction of the LEAP (Limitless Exploration Advanced Pace) Pipeline that aims to transport 100 million gallons of water per day from the local aquifer to Lebanon, Indiana, raising concerns about the sustainability and availability of the vital water resource for the community. Petition signers urge local authorities to halt the pipeline construction, conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, and explore alternative solutions for responsible water management.
Protect those that protect us: Mental health for first responders
Started: March 4, 2023
Number of supporters: 2,443
The petition advocates for the passage of Indiana House Bill 1136, which focuses on providing first responders with mental health care and services. It emphasizes the daily trauma experienced by first responders, the high rates of behavioral health issues among them, and the urgent need for mental health support to address the challenges they face.
Indiana judges started denying gender marker changes
Started: Jan. 12, 2023
Number of supporters: 2,103
Led by a trans woman in Indiana, the petition seeks support in challenging the denial of her request for a gender marker change, a right she believes has been unlawfully restricted due to a misinterpretation by judges in the state. The petitioner aims to bring attention to the broader issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in Indiana.
Allow backyard chickens in Greenwood, Indiana
Started: June 6, 2023
Number of supporters: 1,082
This petition by Kimberlie Board urges the Greenwood City Council to legalize backyard chicken keeping in Greenwood, Indiana, highlighting benefits such as a sustainable source of fresh eggs, pest control, and plant natural fertilizer. The petition advocates for regulations, such as limiting the number of chickens per household, to ensure minimal impact on neighbors and promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in the community.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Top 10 causes Indiana residents supported on Change.org in 2023
