9 petitions that you should sign in Corona times
In our article #supportduringcorona | How to Support Good Causes in Corona Times – also from Home. we have already presented a variety of ways in which you can do good during the corona pandemic.
Another possibility to get involved are online petitions, and that without costs and effort. These can be a useful instrument to make your voice heard politically. However, this requires a large number of signatories. If they are to be accepted into the plenary session of the Bundestag, even 50,000 in number.
We have picked out petitions for you (mostly Corona-related) which we think are absolutely worthy of being signed.
1 | #LEAVENOONEBEHIND: PREVENT THE CORONA CATASTROPHE NOW – EVEN AT THE BORDERS!
The media influence to a large extent which topics, especially emergencies, are currently predominant in the world. Because of Covid-19, the suffering of people who have experienced violence and humanitarian disasters, has largely been forgotten.
Right now, it is immensely important that we all stick together according to the motto #leavenoonebehind, because Covid-19 does not distinguish by skin color, religion or gender.
Imagine the situation in the numerous crowded refugee camps:
quarantine not possible + hand washing not possible + social distancing not possible + medical care not possible = Covid-19 outbreak with disastrous consequences.
This is why the EU Commission and EU governments are demanding the following: 1. evacuation of the overcrowded refugee camps, 2. access to medical care and 3. humanitarian and financial support.
2 | HELP FOR FREELANCERS AND ARTISTS DURING THE #CORONA-SHUTDOWN
Due to Covid-19, there have been and still are numerous cancellations of events such as concerts, fairs, performances in theatres, opera houses and concert halls, leaving many freelancers without income and unable to make a living.
At the moment, the society is renouncing all cultural life, but there is also a time after Covid-19 when there is supposed to be a diverse cultural landscape. Therefore, in this time of crisis, the government must not forget the art scene and freelancers.
This is the reason why the Federal Minister of Finance, Olaf Scholz, is calling for immediate financial aid for freelancers and people from the creative scene.
3 | NON-PROFIT NEEDS INTERVENTION! STRENGHTNING OF CIVIL SOCIET
Last year, various associations were denied non-profit status or threatened with it, including the petition platform Change.org and Campact. The tax authorities justify their decisions by stating, among other things, that the platforms pursued individual interests.
With the decisions, the limits of charitable status became clear, which is why an impulse for reform (modern non-profit law) is needed.
Even sports or cultural clubs will in future risk their non-profit status if they make e.g. political statements. Multifaceted debates are the lifeblood of democracy. For this, all social groups must be heard.
4 | CLOSED FOOD BANK – 100 EURO IMMEDIATE AID FOR POOR PEOPLE IN THE CORONA CRISIS!
The German government is currently doing everything feasible to overcome the corona crisis with the help of rapid and unbureaucratic aid packages. Unfortunately, however, this affects millions of people who were in need even before the crisis and are now facing even greater hardship.
Food Banks, soup kitchens and free and cheap catering in day-care centres and schools must now close due to corona. For the millions of people whose supply system depends of these facilities, Germany now needs a corona rescue package so that those people in need can be provided with additional money for groceries on a fast track.
For this reason, the responsible federal ministers are now appealed to pay affected households 100 euros per person per month in addition to basic income support until the end of the crisis. Stand up for the #CoronaSurcharge by signing the petition!
5 | IMMEDIATE DECENTRALISED ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE – BERLIN
Homeless people are currently particularly at risk due to the Corona pandemic. As emergency shelters with dozens of people in a confined space do not provide the necessary minimum distance and suitable isolation possibilities. In addition, numerous cold aid facilities already had to close or will close by the end of the winter season.
At the same time, thousands and thousands of hotel rooms all over Germany are empty. They could offer possibilities for isolation and individual washing facilities.
For this reason, Berliner Kältehilfe is calling for immediate hotel accommodations. As well as the permission to issue hotel vouchers, better protection for the employees in the cold aid, immediate testing in the facilities and the rapid acceptance of official applications.
6 | IMMEDIATE DECENTRALISED ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE – HAMBURG
The Hamburger colleagues of GoBanyo, the Hamburger Gabenzaun e.V., the association Leben im Abseits e.V. and many others are making even more comprehensive demands to city of Hamburg. Support them!
7 | LEGAL SECURITY FOR FOOD DONATIONS!
Deutsche Umwelthilfe and the foodsharing initiative call on the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, and all other responsible ministries to work for immediate legal certainty and to simplify the saving of food.
Especially in the current crisis, legal security is necessary for supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries. As well as for the people who save and distribute food to the people in need. After all, supermarkets and restaurants are liable for the consequences of food that they distribute free of charge. The same applies to volunteers who save food and do not just pass it on from one private person to another. For many, the risk is therefore simply too high, which is why edible food ends up in the trash.
8 | CORONA EMERGENCY AID – CHANGE RESTRICTIONS FOR SOLO SELF-EMPLOYED AND FREELANCERS!
Solo self-employed, freelancers and artists have got into involuntary financial difficulties due to the current situation. The Corona emergency aid, that was decided on for them, may not be used for “private” expenses in most federal states with reference to the federal government. Since they must still provide for their private health insurance and their own livelihood, such as private rent, insurance and contracts, easings of the rules on the use of Corona emergency aid are demanded.
In concrete terms, this means: demand for a clearly defined part of the emergency aid for solo self-employed persons and freelancers to cover their private living costs and a clear definition of the “amounts paid in excess”.
Sign the petition to protect a large number of affected entrepreneurs, artists, freelancers, etc. from economic ruin.
9 | EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID FOR ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS #WEWANTYOURNAME
In the midst of the Corona crisis, they need special support, and yet they receive far too little. We are talking about 600,000 associations, non-profit organisations, initiatives for refugees, homeless aid, Tafel, animal shelters etc. throughout Germany.
Many of us may not even be aware of how systemically relevant civil society organisations are in our everyday lives. They create places and services where we can meet in our free time, exchange ideas, learn new things. They help those who need it most and provide social innovations that improve and shape our society in the long term. Now, however, events and donations are cancelled and many organisations are threatened in their existence. But in contrast to commercial enterprises, no rescue reserve has yet been put in place for non-profit organizations.
For this reason, uncomplicated emergency financial aid is now demanded for all non-profit associations and organisations. Irrespective of their commercial activity and size. To make sure that our living civil society continues to exist after the crisis.
We’ll keep you up to date
Through our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and our blog post #supportduringcorona we also provide daily updates, how you can get involved from home.
Is there a petition that we should definitely mention here? Write a short mail to rebekka.hesse@vostel.de and we will help you to spread the word! 🙂
Take care! Your team from vostel.de ?
No Comments yet!