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.
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News from the Grassroots
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The Laconia Daily Sun: What's the point of local government when we can't decide?
Despite being known for local democracy, New Hampshire residents are under siege by their own state government. The people are advancing a rights-based state constitutional amendment to change that.
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Eugene Weekly: Alarmed Into Action
Following author Chris Hedges' visit to Lane County, OR, earlier this month as part of a Community Rights tour, community members rally to continue challenging corporate power, state preemption, and to create the communities they envision.
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The Blade: Supporters keep up push to put Lake Erie Bill of Rights on ballot
Toledo, OH, community members are keeping up the pressure on their City Council as they fight to advance a Bill of Rights for Lake Erie.
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The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Supreme Court rules to keep anti-fracking initiative off the ballot
Community Rights organizing is growing in Ohio. In response, the state Supreme Court backs efforts to quash democratic rights, keeping a Columbus rights-based citizen initiative banning fracking waste disposal off the November ballot.
View All Upcoming Events
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Community Rights Workshop – San Juan Islands
December 4, 2018CELDF's Kai Huschke leads a Community Rights Workshop with San Juan Islands residents as they advance Community Rights and Rights of Nature to protect the Salish Sea.
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Rights for the Salish Sea
December 5, 2018Two events on the Salish Sea! Learn more about advancing rights for the Salish Sea - the why and how, with Q&A.
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Democracy School in Concord, NH
December 8, 2018Join us for CELDF's Democracy School - learn the tools to empower you to protect your community from harm, including challenging state preemption and corporate control.
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.
CELDF Donation
Thank you for donating to CELDF!
Your generous donations are advancing the Community Rights and Rights of Nature movements! Our work is possible because of your support.
CELDF has helped communities to protect themselves from environmental, democratic, and other harms by securing rights since 1995.
Thank you for helping CELDF return the democratic process to the people!
Featured Articles
The Guardian: Our laws make slaves of nature. It’s not just humans who need rights
May 23, 2018As the recognition of Rights of Nature grows globally, we must move beyond thinking of nature as having legal personhood rights. We must recognize rights of ecosystems to existence, regeneration and restoration.
Blog: Dangerous to the 1% – An Informed Public
May 16, 2018An uninformed, passive public is easy to for the 1% to lead. We must become knowledgeable - not just about what is happening, but how and why. We must take on difficult questions and challenge the status quo if we are going to create a new way of life.
Blog: Black History Month, White Supremacy, and Community Rights
February 25, 2018CELDF's Tish O'Dell shares discoveries of her own white privilege when fracking came into her community - and how Dr. Martin Luther King and Black Lives Matter inform her work with communities today
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...
Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of our current legal system.
Learn how to better understand the issues of our time.
Discover the keys to affect lasting change.
Learn MoreShow Your Support. Take Action Now.
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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.