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Mar 25, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Envision Spokane initiative would add workers’ rights to city charter

The Spokesman-Review: Envision Spokane initiative would add workers’ rights to city charter

Envision Spokane – a community, rights-based organization in Spokane, WA – is advancing a Worker’s Bill of Rights for the November 2015 ballot that would protect workers’ rights to a living wage, equal pay for equal work regardless of gender or race, and other rights for workers.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 20, 2015

Inlander: Envision Spokane files new Worker Bill of Rights initiative

Inlander: Envision Spokane files new Worker Bill of Rights initiative

Envision Spokane advances a CELDF-drafted Worker’s Bill of Rights to protect workers’ rights to a living wage, and three other key provisions.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2015

Windsor Now: Community rights discussion takes root in Windsor

Windsor Now: Community rights discussion takes root in Windsor

Residents of Windsor, CO, work to place a rights-based Charter Amendment on the ballot for a vote by the people, to secure and protect community rights, and ban fracking as a violation of those rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 9, 2015

New Hampshire Public Radio: Newfound Voters Again Weighing Wind Restrictions

New Hampshire Public Radio: Newfound Voters Again Weighing Wind Restrictions

Threatened with industrial wind farms, communities in New Hampshire use Community Bills of Rights to ban the harmful practices. The Town of Alexandria votes this Tuesday at Town Meeting on a second rights-based ordinance to strengthen their ban on unsustainable energy practices.

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Mar 2, 2015

Tiny Township Faces Injection Well Lawsuit

Tiny Township Faces Injection Well Lawsuit

Highland Township, PA, residents and Supervisors determine they are protecting their water through their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking injection wells – regardless of any lawsuits.

Read More | Community Wires

Feb 23, 2015

Press Release: Oregon Files Constitutional Amendment to Secure Right to Local, Community Self-Government

Press Release: Oregon Files Constitutional Amendment to Secure Right to Local, Community Self-Government

ORCRN files a proposed state constitutional amendment to secure citizens’ right to local, community self-government, thereby enabling the people to protect themselves from harmful corporate activities, and move towards sustainability.

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Feb 17, 2015

OHCRN: Kent Law Director Proposes Charter Amendment Granting Him Veto Power over Citizens’ Proposed Initiatives

OHCRN: Kent Law Director Proposes Charter Amendment Granting Him Veto Power over Citizens’ Proposed Initiatives

Kent, OH, law director attempts to preempt citizens’ right to initiative by changing the city’s Charter – giving him the authority to veto proposed initiatives at his discretion.

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Feb 8, 2015

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Barrington citizens add resource protection item to March ballot

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Barrington citizens add resource protection item to March ballot

Barrington, NH, residents bring a Community Bill of Rights initiative to direct democracy at Town Meeting in March. The Barrington community is threatened by water, gravel, and mineral extraction, and is using Community Rights to protect themselves and local ecosystems.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 3, 2015

CELDF Statement: Spokane Initiative Appellate Court Decision

CELDF Statement: Spokane Initiative Appellate Court Decision

In the face of corporations and government joining together to suppress the democratic rights of the people of Spokane, WA, to vote on a Community Bill of Rights, last week the Washington Court of Appeals overturned an earlier ruling and ordered the initiative be placed back on the ballot for a vote of the people.

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Jan 30, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Court orders initiative vote

The Spokesman-Review: Court orders initiative vote

The Washington State Appellate Court ruled in favor of a Community Rights initiative that had been kept off the ballot by local corporate and government interests, finding that the right of initiative by the people is protected.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 28, 2015

Huffington Post: ‘Supreme Court Five’ Unleash Government Of, By and For the Oligarchs

Huffington Post: ‘Supreme Court Five’ Unleash Government Of, By and For the Oligarchs

The Supreme Court makes decisions that are benefiting corporations and harming democracy, while communities are working to adopt Community Bills of Rights that codify people’s rights to local self-governance and sustainable communities – banning those corporate activities that violate those rights.

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Jan 25, 2015

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

While ALEC and other pro-corporate entities attempt to decrease worker rights,CELDF partners in Colorado and Spokane, WA, begin working on Community Bills of Rights to protect workers’ rights, building on the “floor” of rights established at the state and federal levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 25, 2015

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

While ALEC and other pro-corporate entities attempt to decrease worker rights,CELDF partners in Colorado and Spokane, WA, begin working on Community Bills of Rights to protect workers’ rights, building on the “floor” of rights established at the state and federal levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 7, 2015

E&E Publishing: Speaking for the trees, lawyer pushes unconventional doctrine

E&E Publishing: Speaking for the trees, lawyer pushes unconventional doctrine

While the oil & gas industry protests, CELDF & allies bring forward the Rights of Nature as the basis to give ecosystems legal standing to protect itself. The Little Mahoning Watershed in Grant Township, PA, filed to intervene in a case against Grant’s Community Bill of Rights banning frack wastewater injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 19, 2014

WTAE Pittsburgh: Chronicle: Drilling Down (Part 6: “Whose Land is It?”)

WTAE Pittsburgh: Chronicle: Drilling Down (Part 6: “Whose Land is It?”)

Residents of western Pennsylvania determine to protect their community, families, and the land by banning fracking through Community Bills of Rights, and Rights of Nature conservation easement.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 16, 2014

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Pipeline meeting draws big crowd

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Pipeline meeting draws big crowd

Southern New Hampshire communities unite in opposition to a gas pipeline project threatening their Towns, and learn about Community Rights as a means to protect residents and local ecosystems.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 13, 2014

Sentinel & Enterprise: Pipeline no more popular in N.H.

Sentinel & Enterprise: Pipeline no more popular in N.H.

Mason, NH, residents gather to oppose a gas pipeline threatening their community, and learn about CELDF-drafted Community Bills of Rights to stop harmful corporate activities as a violation of Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 19, 2014

Truthout: Amending Colorado’s Constitution: Do Communities Have Right to Clean Air and Water?

Truthout: Amending Colorado’s Constitution: Do Communities Have Right to Clean Air and Water?

As voters last week banned fracking in regions from Ohio to Texas to California, Colorado citizens are meanwhile attempting to reclaim their own right to a safe, healthy environment by enacting the Colorado Community Rights amendment to the Colorado Constitution.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 18, 2014

Press Release: First-in-the-Nation Action – Ecosystem Files for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Own Legal Rights to Exist and Flourish

Press Release: First-in-the-Nation Action – Ecosystem Files for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Own Legal Rights to Exist and Flourish

Today, for the first time, an ecosystem in the United States filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit to defend its own right to exist and flourish. The Little Mahoning Watershed and Grant Township, PA, residents come up against the Pennsylvania General Energy Corporation.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Nov 13, 2014

Fort Bragg Advocate-News: Fracking ban success surprises supporters

Fort Bragg Advocate-News: Fracking ban success surprises supporters

Mendocino County, CA, residents voting to use Community Rights to ban fracking by an overwhelming majority in the November election, welcome the broader conversation about the recognition of community rights within the county.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 6, 2014

EagleFordTexas.com: Mendocino County voters ban fracking

EagleFordTexas.com: Mendocino County voters ban fracking

Mendocino County, CA’s, Community Bill of Rights banning fracking protects residents and local ecosystems, and challenges existing law that denies communities the right to local decision-making, the right to clean air and water, and the right to create sustainable communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 5, 2014

YES! Magazine: 6 Ways Americans Voted Against Corporate Power in the Most Expensive Midterm Elections Ever

YES! Magazine: 6 Ways Americans Voted Against Corporate Power in the Most Expensive Midterm Elections Ever

CELDF-drafted Community Bills of Rights banning fracking and challenging corporate claimed “rights” in Ohio and California take center stage.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Nov 5, 2014

Press Release: Athens, OH, Bans Fracking and Frack Waste Water Disposal as a Violation of Rights

Press Release: Athens, OH, Bans Fracking and Frack Waste Water Disposal as a Violation of Rights

Athens, OH, residents overwhelmingly adopt a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking wastewater disposal, as a violation of their rights to clean air, water, and the right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Sep 26, 2014

CentralMaine.com: East-west corridor remains a danger

CentralMaine.com: East-west corridor remains a danger

Dover-Foxcroft, ME, resident urges communities to assert their rights to protect themselves from harmful corporate projects, such as the East-West Corridor, through Community Bills of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 1, 2014

Spokane

Spokane

In 2007, after a series of Democracy Schools held in Spokane, Washington, a group of citizens led by local school teacher Brad Read built a coalition to support a Community Bill of Rights for City residents.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 21, 2014

The Colorado Statesman: How Congressman Jared Polis and Food and Water Watch sold out Colorado

The Colorado Statesman: How Congressman Jared Polis and Food and Water Watch sold out Colorado

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey calls out the blatant sellout of Coloradans by a Congressman who had claimed to support communities banning fracking, and a non-profit’s abandonment of helping protect Coloradans from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 21, 2014

EcoWatch: Colorado Town Sues State, Gov. Hickenlooper and COGA to Protect Right to Ban Fracking

EcoWatch: Colorado Town Sues State, Gov. Hickenlooper and COGA to Protect Right to Ban Fracking

Lafayette, CO, residents file a preliminary injunction to protect their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2014

Daily Camera: Lafayette group files motion to block oil and gas industry’s lawsuit, enforce local fracking ban

Daily Camera: Lafayette group files motion to block oil and gas industry’s lawsuit, enforce local fracking ban

With 60% of Lafayette, CO, residents adopting a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking last November, residents file a motion for a preliminary injunction against the State and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) to enforce their ban.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 19, 2014

Press Release: Lafayette, CO, Residents Seek Injunction Against State & Oil and Gas Industry for Violating the Right of Local Self-Government

Press Release: Lafayette, CO, Residents Seek Injunction Against State & Oil and Gas Industry for Violating the Right of Local Self-Government

Lafayette, CO, residents seek a preliminary injunction against the State of Colorado, the Governor, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association to enforce their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking – adopted overwhelmingly by residents last November.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 12, 2014

Daily Camera: Opinion – Home Rule — On the ‘rights’ side of history

Daily Camera: Opinion – Home Rule — On the ‘rights’ side of history

Boulder County, CO, resident urges support for advancing communities’ rights over corporate claimed “rights” through Home Rule local self-governance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 4, 2014

Longmont Daily Times Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents haven’t yet turned in petitions

Longmont Daily Times Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents haven’t yet turned in petitions

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado has gathered more than 10,000 signatures to place a home rule charter question on the ballot for May 2015. Residents are considering a home rule form of government to advance Community Rights and protect themselves from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2014

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County charter proponents launch petition drive

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County charter proponents launch petition drive

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado is gathering signatures in the first steps towards creating a Community Rights Home Rule Charter for the County. Supporters want to protect the County from fracking using Community Rights to local self-governance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 25, 2014

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents hope to gain spot on fall ballot

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents hope to gain spot on fall ballot

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado gathers signatures to create a Home Rule Charter Commission, intending to enact a Home Rule Charter built on a Community Bill of Rights that would codify Boulder County’s right to ban fracking and other harmful activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 10, 2014

Boulder Weekly: Petition for home rule circulates Boulder County

Boulder Weekly: Petition for home rule circulates Boulder County

Boulder County, CO, residents gather signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot. The measure is the first step in creating a Community Rights Home Rule Charter for the County that would elevate communities’ rights over corporate claimed “rights.”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 23, 2014

Highland Twp. picnic for clean water held Saturday

Highland Twp. picnic for clean water held Saturday

Highland Township, PA, residents, adopting a Community Rights Ordinance banning fracking injection wells in 2013, receive broad community support on Saturday at an event attended by Pennsylvania and Ohio communities.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 15, 2014

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

A diary from occupystephanie draws parallels between Community Rights and other rights’ movements, and describes CELDF’s work with municipalities across the U.S. to leverage those rights to protect ourselves and the natural environment from corporate harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 15, 2014

The Bradford Era: Community rights gathering slated in Highland Township

The Bradford Era: Community rights gathering slated in Highland Township

Communities and government representatives from across Elk County, PA, are invited to Highland Township’s community rights picnic gathering on Saturday, 6/21. The gathering will include speakers and community rights workshops.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 13, 2014

The Bradford Era: Feds knock down Highland Township injection well appeals

The Bradford Era: Feds knock down Highland Township injection well appeals

Highland Township, PA, and CELDF are prepared to defend the Township’s Community Rights Ordinance banning wastewater injection wells as Seneca Resources moves a step closer to attempting to site a well.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 2, 2014

The Bradford Era: Picnic held in Highland Township to discuss injection well

The Bradford Era: Picnic held in Highland Township to discuss injection well

Highland Township, PA, receives support from surrounding communities at the Residents Fight for Clean Water Picnic held Saturday. Highland residents face a fracking wastewater injection well, and are preparing to enforce their Community Bill of Rights banning the wells.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 17, 2014

Ridgeway Record: Jay Twp. supports Highland’s injection well ordinance

Ridgeway Record: Jay Twp. supports Highland’s injection well ordinance

Highland Township, PA, receives a letter of support from Jay Township, as Highland stands behind its Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells. Nearby Ridgeway Township sent a letter of support in March.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 10, 2014

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Supervisors receive support in injection well fight

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Supervisors receive support in injection well fight

Support grows from other municipalities as Highland Township Supervisors stand by their Community Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells. The Township faces opposition from Seneca Resources Corporation.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 1, 2014

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Mendocino County: Charting a new course for water protection?

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Mendocino County: Charting a new course for water protection?

Mendocino County, CA, residents work with CELDF’s partner Global Exchange in Community Rights organizing to protect their water. Communities are working on Community Bills of Rights, including a County level Ordinance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 30, 2014

The Southern Illinoisan: Both sides of fracking debate plan next move

The Southern Illinoisan: Both sides of fracking debate plan next move

Residents in Johnson County, IL, are moving forward with next steps to protect their community from fracking through a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 25, 2014

The Southern Illinoisan: Johnson County Board receives draft ‘bill of rights’

The Southern Illinoisan: Johnson County Board receives draft ‘bill of rights’

Johnson County, IL, residents present a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance to County Commissioners to protect the community from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 22, 2014

The Bradford Era: Highland Township retains law firm in injection well fight

The Bradford Era: Highland Township retains law firm in injection well fight

CELDF is retained by Highland Township, PA, to defend the Township’s Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells against Seneca Resources Corporation. Seneca wants to site an injection well and has threatened legal action to negate the community’s rights.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 19, 2014

The Southern: Johnson County fracking ban defeated

The Southern: Johnson County fracking ban defeated

With over $20,000 available to pro-fracking interests to defeat a non-binding referendum in support of a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking, Johnson County residents voted it down. Community Rights supporters promise to move forward.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2014

Shadow Proof: Illinois Fracking Ban Fails After Local Newspapers Refuse To Accept Ads Supporting It

Shadow Proof: Illinois Fracking Ban Fails After Local Newspapers Refuse To Accept Ads Supporting It

A local media blackout against Community Rights in Johnson County, IL, affects ballot outcome.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2014

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes letter of support

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes letter of support

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes a letter of support for Highland Township, which is taking a stand against Seneca Resources Corporation’s plans to site a fracking wastewater injection well. The Township adopted a Community Bill of Rights banning injection wells in 2013.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 18, 2014

Southeast Missouri State University KRCU: Frack Ban Fails In Johnson County, Ill.

Southeast Missouri State University KRCU: Frack Ban Fails In Johnson County, Ill.

Community Rights opponents in Johnson County, IL, claim a hollow victory when a media blackout kept out Community Rights advocates and the state Chamber of Commerce funded $23,000 of propaganda against them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 14, 2014

State Impact: Elk County township prepares for battle against deep injection well

State Impact: Elk County township prepares for battle against deep injection well

As the EPA approves a wastewater injection well permit in Highland Township, PA, for Seneca Resources, the Township Supervisors, with standing-room-only support from the community, retains CELDF to defend their Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires