We help communities and groups like yours.
We are not a typical environmental organization. We assist communities to develop first-in-the-nation, groundbreaking laws to protect rights – including worker, environmental, and democratic rights, and rights of nature. CELDF provides free and low cost legal services, grassroots organizing, and education, to communities, states, and countries facing injustice. We help them to assert their rights to fight the harms they face. Learn more about how we work, or call us now at: 717-498-0054.
News from the Grassroots
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AJELP: A Phoenix from the Ashes
From the Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, a law article on the constitutional right to local community self-government, by Thomas Linzey, Esq., and Daniel Brannen, Esq.
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Blog: One Final New Year's Resolution for 2018
Let's stop lying to each other and stop protesting. Let's start truth-telling and begin building our communities based on rights. It's time.
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In These Times: Does the Natural World Needs Its Own Bill of Rights?
Environmental regulations aren't doing much for the environment - but recognizing nature's rights is.
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Press Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Advances to Public Committee Hearing
New Hampshire residents and the NHCRN advance a Community Rights state constitutional amendment to the legislative committee hearing.
View All Upcoming Events
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New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Informational Session
January 30, 2018Join the New Hampshire Community Rights Network, Representative Ellen Read, and CELDF's Executive Director Thomas Linzey to learn more about the Community Rights state constitutional amendment.
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Case Western Reserve University: Community Rights for Social Justice Session
February 10, 2018CELDF's Tish O'Dell leads a break out session on Community Rights for Social Justice at Case Western's Social Justice Teach In. Learn more here!
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Ohio Community Rights Workshop in Bowling Green
February 17, 2018Bowling Green State University students host an Ohio Community Rights Workshop for their peers and neighbors as they organize to stop the Nexus pipeline. Learn more here!
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PIELC 2018 at the University of Oregon Law School
March 1, 2018 — March 4, 2018Join CELDF's Mari Margil at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, OR, discussing Rights of Nature!
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Symposium: 50 Years of the Indian Civil Rights Act: Protection and Denial of the Civil Rights of Native Americans
March 4, 2018As a small minority group in America, Native Americans have been left out of civil rights discussions in this country, both historically and in modern times. Join us in this conference as CELDF brings the Rights of Nature into indigenous civil rights.
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Featured Articles
Blog: Taking a Knee on the First Amendment
October 10, 2017If we take a knee to protest racism in our capacity as employees, our rights under the first amendment are not protected.
Press Release: Colorado River v. State of Colorado: In a First-in-the-Nation Federal Lawsuit, River Seeks Recognition of its Legal Rights to Exist, Restoration
September 21, 2017For the first time in the U.S., a river and its ecosystem file a federal lawsuit for recognition of rights to exist, flourish, and restoration. CELDF is serving as a legal advisor in the case.
PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado
April 5, 2017Lafayette, CO, is the first community in the state to adopt a right to climate ordinance, recognizing the right of residents to a healthy climate.
A Problem: Corporations have been granted rights allowing them to wreak havoc in communities for over 200 years.We can stop this. Here's how...
Fight for a more democratic tomorrow, today.
Our democracy has been usurped by corporations. Please give today to help CELDF return the democratic process to the people. CELDF uses every dollar of your donation to fight for rights.
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Water Protectors in Nottingham, NH
Show Your SupportNottingham, NH, residents have stood their ground to protect the Lamprey River Watershed, a water ecosystem supporting innumerable human and natural communities. They are up against water thieves – corporations taking their water against the will of the people.
For over a decade they have enforced their Community Bill of Rights banning corporate water withdrawals. CELDF stands with them.
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Lincoln Co, OR, Residents & the Siletz River Challenge the Timber Industry
Show Your SupportFor decades, Lincoln County, OR, residents and surrounding ecosystems have been subjected to toxic aerially spraying of pesticides by the timber industry.
Today, they’ve had enough. Working with CELDF, they are asserting the rights of the Siletz River, their own rights to clean air and pure water, and – together – they are challenging the timber industry.
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Grant Township, PA: A Stand to Protect Their Water & Their Community
Show Your SupportFor more than 3 years, Grant Township, PA, residents have been fighting PGE’s proposed frack wastewater injection well. Now their own Department of Environmental Protection has turned on them as well. Grant residents are unwavering in their commitment to protect their community.
CELDF is standing with them.