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to raise; to bring to (someone's attention)
to appeal to (reason, emotions, etc.); to work on (one's emotions); to play on (one's sympathies)
to complain
to sue (a person); to take someone to court
to resort to (e.g. arms, violence)
住民は騒音問題を市に訴えた。
Residents brought the noise issue to the city.
隣の人が騒音被害を警察に訴えました。
The neighbor complained about the noise.
住民は市に環境問題の深刻さを訴えて注目を集めた。
The residents brought the severity of the environmental issue to the city's attention and drew notice.