Community Wires

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Oct 2, 2017

Press Release: Judge Strikes Portions of Democratically-Enacted Charter Banning Frack Waste

Press Release: Judge Strikes Portions of Democratically-Enacted Charter Banning Frack Waste

Highland Township, PA, residents plan enforcement of their Home Rule Charter banning a frack wastewater injection well as judiciary sides with Seneca Resources Corporation.

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Sep 30, 2017

The Register-Guard: Supporters of Lane County aerial herbicide spraying ban say they have enough signatures to put measure on May 15 election ballot

The Register-Guard: Supporters of Lane County aerial herbicide spraying ban say they have enough signatures to put measure on May 15 election ballot

Lane County, OR, residents submit signatures to place a rights-based initiative banning aerially sprayed pesticides on the May 2018 ballot.

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Sep 28, 2017

Daily Camera: Lisa Flynn: Take Back Local Government

Daily Camera: Lisa Flynn: Take Back Local Government

Longmont, CO, resident calls out state government sacrificing communities for corporate fracking interests. CELDF offers action for residents to protect themselves.

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Sep 26, 2017

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

Today, the Colorado River files in federal court for recognition of its rights to exist and flourish, as global warming and human consumption threaten its very survival.

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Sep 26, 2017

BG Independent News: Two sides at odds over proposed BG charter amendment

BG Independent News: Two sides at odds over proposed BG charter amendment

Community rights proponents in Bowling Green, OH, work to protect themselves from harmful fossil fuel projects through a rights-based charter amendment.

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Sep 25, 2017

San Diego Free Press: Why Does the Colorado River Need to Sue For Rights?

San Diego Free Press: Why Does the Colorado River Need to Sue For Rights?

Without rights, the Colorado River is merely an object for human exploitation, rather than recognized as the living ecosystem it is, and wholly necessary to sustain life

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Sep 25, 2017

The Athens News: High Court shoots down third local anti-fracking charter

The Athens News: High Court shoots down third local anti-fracking charter

When county residents in Ohio seek to reform their government, that very government blocks them. At stake: communities’ clean air and water, and their right to local community self-government.

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Sep 24, 2017

Desmog: Ohio Communities Face ‘Voter Suppression’ in Push to Rein in Oil and Gas Development

Desmog: Ohio Communities Face ‘Voter Suppression’ in Push to Rein in Oil and Gas Development

What’s going on in Ohio? Voter suppression in the form of blocking rights-based citizen initiatives from the ballot for a vote. Who’s behind it? The oil and gas industry and their allies.

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Sep 21, 2017

Press Release: People’s Constitutional Right to Form Charter Government Stricken by Ohio Supreme Court

Press Release: People’s Constitutional Right to Form Charter Government Stricken by Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court places insurmountable requirements on county charter initiatives. For three years, counties have attempted to protect themselves from fracking through advancing rights-based charter initiatives.

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Sep 14, 2017

BG Independent News: Anti-pipeline charter amendment now in limbo

BG Independent News: Anti-pipeline charter amendment now in limbo

The people’s right to vote on a right to climate charter amendment in Bowling Green, OH, is challenged by one resident.

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Sep 11, 2017

Public News Service: Does Nature Have the Right to Defend Itself in Court?

Public News Service: Does Nature Have the Right to Defend Itself in Court?

The Siletz River in Oregon files to intervene in a lawsuit brought to overturn a community rights ban on aerially sprayed pesticides.

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Sep 7, 2017

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition cleared to appear on BG ballot

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition cleared to appear on BG ballot

The Wood County, OH, Board of Elections supports Bowling Green residents’ right to vote, placing the people’s right to climate initiative on the November ballot.

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Sep 7, 2017

Press Release: Bowling Green Residents Have More Right to Initiative than Youngstown Residents?

Press Release: Bowling Green Residents Have More Right to Initiative than Youngstown Residents?

The Board of Elections denies Youngstown, OH, residents their inalienable right to vote on their own citizen initiatives. Residents are challenging the stripping of their rights.

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Sep 1, 2017

Daily Camera: LTE: Demand county take action

Daily Camera: LTE: Demand county take action

Boulder County, CO, resident calls for people to stand up to protect themselves from oil and gas industry by driving into law a Community Bill of Rights.

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Aug 23, 2017

The Thom Hartmann Program: The Second American Revolution with Director Leila Conners

The Thom Hartmann Program: The Second American Revolution with Director Leila Conners

Tree Media’s Leila Connors speaks to the documentary We the People 2.0 – The Second American Revolution, and how communities across the U.S. are using Community Rights to challenge and change corporate state barriers to democracy.

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Aug 22, 2017

The Thom Hartmann Program: We Don’t Just Have a Fracking Problem, We Have A Democracy Problem!

The Thom Hartmann Program: We Don’t Just Have a Fracking Problem, We Have A Democracy Problem!

CELDF’s Tish O’Dell is on the Thom Hartmann Program, exploring why we don’t have a fracking problem – but instead a democracy problem.

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Aug 18, 2017

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition passes signature test …. but more obstacles remain

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition passes signature test …. but more obstacles remain

Bowling Green residents and students who submitted petitions to place a Right to Climate charter amendment on the November ballot may face efforts to block their measure.

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Aug 18, 2017

Columbus Free Press: Corporate State Says Democracy is Too Expensive

Columbus Free Press: Corporate State Says Democracy is Too Expensive

While the oil and gas industry declares democracy is “too expensive,” CELDF’s Tish O’Dell looks at the bigger picture, including the cost of the corporate state.

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Aug 13, 2017

Vindy.com: LTE: Outside money suppresses voice of people in Y’town; the time has come to act

Vindy.com: LTE: Outside money suppresses voice of people in Y’town; the time has come to act

A Youngstown, OH, residents calls for support of the People’s Bill of Rights for Fair Elections and Access to Local Government. The initiative creates non-partisan elections, stops outside influence on elections, and other groundbreaking requirements.

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Aug 11, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE: Fallout from the oil and gas industry

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE: Fallout from the oil and gas industry

A Medina Co, OH, resident invites elected officials to see what’s happening in Carroll and Noble Counties, where residents suffer harms from fossil fuel projects marring the countryside.

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Aug 11, 2017

Vindy.com: Fracking issue in Youngstown could ignite fight in the courts

Vindy.com: Fracking issue in Youngstown could ignite fight in the courts

Gas industry allies in the Ohio legislature adopted a law authorizing BOEs and the Secretary of State to keep measures off the ballot based on content. The new law may be used in an attempt to keep 2 Youngstown community rights measures off the ballot.

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Aug 9, 2017

Fosters.com: We must protect fair elections in NH

Fosters.com: We must protect fair elections in NH

The New Hampshire legislature is suppressing voters and refusing to protect the vote through a verification process. This resident calls for using community rights to change that.

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Aug 8, 2017

In These Times Rural America: Youngstown Residents Push to Oust Corporations from Election Campaigns, Cap Contributions at $100

In These Times Rural America: Youngstown Residents Push to Oust Corporations from Election Campaigns, Cap Contributions at $100

Youngstown, OH, residents work to ban corporations from elections and cap campaign spending to level the playing field.

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Aug 8, 2017

Vindy.com: Committee turns in petitions for elections charter amendment

Vindy.com: Committee turns in petitions for elections charter amendment

Youngstown residents submit a petition for the November ballot that would remove corporations from elections, and cap campaign contributions.

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Aug 5, 2017

The Athens News: Let the people of Athens County have a vote on county charter

The Athens News: Let the people of Athens County have a vote on county charter

A resident and attorney in Athens County, OH, urges support for the county charter initiative advanced by community members to protect the county from fracking.

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Aug 2, 2017

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group protests rejection of county charter

The Athens News: Anti-fracking group protests rejection of county charter

For a third year, Athens County, OH, residents battle efforts to keep them from voting on their qualified charter initiative. The measure bans fracking activities as a violation of rights.

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Jul 31, 2017

BG Independent News: BG charter amendment group submits ballot initiative

BG Independent News: BG charter amendment group submits ballot initiative

Facing the proposed Nexus pipeline and determined to protect their community’s water, Bowling Green, OH, residents turn in signatures for their community rights initiative.

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Jul 27, 2017

The Athens News: Judge rules charter petition had enough signatures after all

The Athens News: Judge rules charter petition had enough signatures after all

For a 3rd year, Athens County, OH, residents fight to protect themselves from fracking activities through a rights-based Home Rule charter. They continue to come up against the corporate state blocking them.

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Jul 26, 2017

Truthout: Oregon Ecosystem Files Lawsuit to Defend Its Rights

Truthout: Oregon Ecosystem Files Lawsuit to Defend Its Rights

As the Siletz River Ecosystem is being destroyed by aerial sprayed pesticides, the river is taking legal action to protect itself, using a community rights ordinance adopted by Linconl Co, OR, voters.

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Jul 25, 2017

Public News Service: OR River Could Take Legal Action in Aerial Pesticide Ban Case

Public News Service: OR River Could Take Legal Action in Aerial Pesticide Ban Case

Nature’s rights are necessary to protect local ecosystems, and the Siletz River in Lincoln County, OR, is filing to intervene in a lawsuit to make that argument.

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Jul 24, 2017

Press Release: Oregon River Stands Up for its Rights

Press Release: Oregon River Stands Up for its Rights

The Siletz River watershed in Lincoln County, OR, files to intervene in a case to protect itself against aerially sprayed pesticides. The practice was banned by county residents in May.

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Jul 22, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Pipeline opponents gagged in Medina County

Akron Beacon Journal: Pipeline opponents gagged in Medina County

Medina, OH, resident lays out the gagging of democratic rights by county government when residents advanced a measure to protect themselves from the Nexus pipeline and compressor station – and the harms that will come with those projects.

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Jul 21, 2017

BG Independent News: Petition aimed at prioritizing people over pipelines

BG Independent News: Petition aimed at prioritizing people over pipelines

Bowling Green, OH, residents prepare to submit signatures to place a community rights ballot initiative before voters for November. The measure bans the Nexus pipeline as a violation of rights.

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Jul 20, 2017

NexusMedia: Meet the Rural Pennsylvania Town at the Forefront of Environmental Law

NexusMedia: Meet the Rural Pennsylvania Town at the Forefront of Environmental Law

Grant Township, PA, digs in deep to fight a frack wastewater injection well, leveraging rights to challenge a legal system stacked against them.

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Jul 18, 2017

The Gazette: Judge rejects county charter complaint

The Gazette: Judge rejects county charter complaint

The right of Medina Co., OH, residents to alter their government through citizen initiative is denied by a Common Pleas judge. Residents are considering next steps.

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Jul 17, 2017

The Spokesman-Review: Federal judge tosses suit by Raging Grannies seeking to ban coal and oil trains through Spokane

The Spokesman-Review: Federal judge tosses suit by Raging Grannies seeking to ban coal and oil trains through Spokane

A federal judge does not consider the people’s right to a healthy climate in a lawsuit filed by Spokane residents who are fighting to protect their community from fossil fuel activities.

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Jul 14, 2017

The Gazette: Board’s charter decision an insult to democracy

The Gazette: Board’s charter decision an insult to democracy

Medina County, OH, resident calls out the County Board of Elections for their refusal to let the people vote on their qualified county charter initiative. The measure secures democratic and environmental rights, and bans fracking infrastructure.

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Jul 13, 2017

The Blade: Toledoans can band together to protect Lake Erie

The Blade: Toledoans can band together to protect Lake Erie

Toledo resident calls out local government’s lack of meaningful response to protect Lake Erie, and calls in the broader community to participate in direct democracy in advancing community rights – including rights for Lake Erie.

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Jul 11, 2017

The Gazette: Elections board doesn’t certify county charter petitions

The Gazette: Elections board doesn’t certify county charter petitions

Medina County, OH, residents find the Board of Elections blocking their initiative to establish a Home Rule charter, refusing to allow citizens to vote on their own measure.

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Jul 11, 2017

Press Release: Athens and Medina Boards of Elections Spark Uproar, Refuse the People’s Initiatives

Press Release: Athens and Medina Boards of Elections Spark Uproar, Refuse the People’s Initiatives

Ohio county Boards of Elections block Home Rule charter citizen initiatives from the ballot, raising frustration in Athens and Medina County residents. The rights-based measures banned fracking activities as a violation of rights.

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Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

On Monday, the Medina County, OH, Board of Elections is meeting to certify residents’ petition for a Home Rule county charter measure on the ballot. This Medina resident urges citizens to attend and insist on their right to vote on the people’s initiative.

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Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

A resident of Medina County spells out what the problem is with the Nexus pipeline threatening to cut through the county – and what residents can do about it through a rights-based county charter.

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Jul 7, 2017

Press Release: Oil & Gas Corp. Sues Community, Goes After Lawyers

Press Release: Oil & Gas Corp. Sues Community, Goes After Lawyers

PGE corporation is attempting to force fracking wastewater into Grant Twp, PA. Now they seek sanctions against CELDF attorneys working on behalf of the community.

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Jul 6, 2017

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Spokane, WA, residents set to make their argument for a right to climate in federal court next week. CELDF filed a lawsuit on behalf of residents against the U.S. government in January.

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Jun 29, 2017

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

Athens County, OH, residents submit signatures to place a community rights county charter on the November ballot. The charter bans fracking activities as a violation of rights.

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Jun 29, 2017

Mountain Xpress: Community rights movement promotes local sovereignty

Mountain Xpress: Community rights movement promotes local sovereignty

Asheville, NC, residents recognize sustainability is illegal under our structure of law and governance – and are taking steps to challenge that structure and create renewable energy systems using Community Rights.

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Jun 29, 2017

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

Facing the Nexus pipeline to transport fracked gas, Medina County, OH, residents turn in petitions to place a rights-based county charter on the ballot. The measure protects environmental and democratic rights, and bans pipelines.

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