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Jun 29, 2017

The Laconia Daily Sun: Our rights are being claimed by corporations, with state’s backing

The Laconia Daily Sun: Our rights are being claimed by corporations, with state’s backing

Moving beyond protest, many New Hampshire communities are taking action to reclaim their democratic rights and protect their communities from harm by establishing Community Bills of Rights.

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Jun 25, 2017

Vindy.com: Support urged for new community bills of rights

Vindy.com: Support urged for new community bills of rights

Youngstown, OH, residents advance two rights-based measures to protect their water and their elections. Community members are gathering signatures for the November ballot.

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Jun 22, 2017

The News Guard: Aerial Spraying: Lawsuit reaction

The News Guard: Aerial Spraying: Lawsuit reaction

Community rights advocates in Lincoln County stand firm on their right to be free from aerially sprayed pesticides. They are fighting to protect Lincoln residents’ rights-based ban of the practice, adopted in May.

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Jun 19, 2017

Scientific American: Rivers Get Human Rights: They Can Sue to Protect Themselves

Scientific American: Rivers Get Human Rights: They Can Sue to Protect Themselves

Rights of nature has shifted from theory to practice over the last decade, being realized in legal doctrines in U.S. communities and in countries around the world.

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Jun 16, 2017

Fosters.com: Community Rights Ordinance saved Nottingham’s water

Fosters.com: Community Rights Ordinance saved Nottingham’s water

Our communities are threatened by unwanted development, and our democracy is in crisis. This is what we can do: join together and protect ourselves and the places we live using community rights.

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Jun 15, 2017

EugeneWeekly.com: Aerial Spray Ban

EugeneWeekly.com: Aerial Spray Ban

Lincoln County, OR, residents recently adopted the nation’s first countywide ban on aerially-sprayed pesticides. They’re celebrating their win – and preparing to defend their law as it is challenged by industry.

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Jun 10, 2017

Daily Camera Opinion: John C. Lamb: Democrats not helping in battle against fracking

Daily Camera Opinion: John C. Lamb: Democrats not helping in battle against fracking

Don’t be fooled – the Democratic Party is as supportive of oil and gas as the Republican Party. The answer isn’t in our party electeds, but in ourselves. It’s time to take action and govern ourselves in the places where we live.

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Jun 1, 2017

The Hill: In praise of Trump pulling out of the Paris climate pact

The Hill: In praise of Trump pulling out of the Paris climate pact

The Paris Accords are not our salvation. Pulling out may be the best thing to happen if we’re actually going to take action to build a real climate movement.

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May 31, 2017

Cleveland.com: Ohio Community Rights Network fights for local government rights

Cleveland.com: Ohio Community Rights Network fights for local government rights

The Ohio Community Rights Network is supporting communities across the state to advance their right to local community self-government, and to protect people and ecosystems from corporate harms.

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May 31, 2017

Press Release: Lincoln County, OR, Adopts First-in-Nation Ban of Aerial Pesticide Spray

Press Release: Lincoln County, OR, Adopts First-in-Nation Ban of Aerial Pesticide Spray

Lincoln County, OR, residents, facing decades of pesticide use by the timber industry, adopt the first ban of the practice as a violation of environmental and democratic rights.

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May 31, 2017

KBOO: Lincoln County Aerial Spray Ban Passes

KBOO: Lincoln County Aerial Spray Ban Passes

Aerial spraying of pesticides is banned by Lincoln County, OR, voters. Residents elevate the rights of communities over corporate “rights” as they protect themselves from the timber industry.

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May 26, 2017

Street Roots News: Victory, defeat and alternative facts in two coastal county elections

Street Roots News: Victory, defeat and alternative facts in two coastal county elections

Using citizen initiative, two Oregon communities fight to protect themselves from the timber and oil/gas industry, and secure their democratic and environmental rights.

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May 22, 2017

Rolling Stone: How a Small Town Is Standing Up to Fracking

Rolling Stone: How a Small Town Is Standing Up to Fracking

Rolling Stone Magazine covers the story of Grant Township, PA, where the residents are working with CELDF to protect themselves from PGE’s fracking injection well. In the process, together, we’re pioneering a new legal framework for rights.

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May 18, 2017

Press Release: Grant Township, PA, Sues Department of Environmental Protection for Rights Violations

Press Release: Grant Township, PA, Sues Department of Environmental Protection for Rights Violations

Grant Township, PA, is being sued by their own Dept of Environmental Protection to force in a fracking wastewater injection well. CELDF filed a countersuit on behalf of the Township, asserting the DEP is violating the rights of the community and the Charter.

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May 17, 2017

KUOW: Oregon Voters Could See More Community Rights Measures Going Forward

KUOW: Oregon Voters Could See More Community Rights Measures Going Forward

Two community rights measures were on the Oregon ballot this week to stop corporate harms, and more coming down the pipe. Growing numbers of Oregon residents are using community rights to protect themselves and assert democratic rights.

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May 17, 2017

Press Release: Lincoln Co., OR: On Verge of First in Nation Citizen Initiative to Ban Aerial Spray Pesticides

Press Release: Lincoln Co., OR: On Verge of First in Nation Citizen Initiative to Ban Aerial Spray Pesticides

A Community Bill of Rights by the people of Lincoln Co, OR, is just ahead at the polls. Residents are fighting for their democratic and environmental rights to protect themselves from toxic aerial spraying of pesticides.

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

May 15, 2017

The World: Measure opponents exceed $1 million in combined donations and spending

The World: Measure opponents exceed $1 million in combined donations and spending

As election day approaches, a foreign corporation and its allies spend over $1 million to defeat a local rights-based measure banning a massive LNG export terminal.

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May 15, 2017

National Observer: Oregon votes on whether to reject a Calgary company’s fossil fuel project

National Observer: Oregon votes on whether to reject a Calgary company’s fossil fuel project

A Canadian company attempting to force in a LNG export terminal and pipeline in Coos County, OR, irks residents, who are voting on a community rights ordinance banning the project tomorrow.

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May 13, 2017

DeSmog: Jordan Cove LNG Backers Spend Huge Money to Sway Tiny Oregon County Election

DeSmog: Jordan Cove LNG Backers Spend Huge Money to Sway Tiny Oregon County Election

Corporate interests pour funds into defeating a Coos County, OR, community rights measure. The citizen’s initiative bans the Jordan Cove LNG export project as a violation of environmental and democratic rights.

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May 11, 2017

Daily Camera: Opinion: Boulder Co commissioners don’t have answers – but residents do

Daily Camera: Opinion: Boulder Co commissioners don’t have answers – but residents do

Cliff Wilmeng calls for Boulder County, CO, commissioners to stop politicking and start protecting; stop colluding by doing nothing and start acting courageously by enacting community rights.

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May 8, 2017

OPB: Oregon County Seeks To Block LNG Project With Ballot Measure

OPB: Oregon County Seeks To Block LNG Project With Ballot Measure

Coos County, OR, residents fight for their right to decide on an LNG export project through the ballot, using community rights.

Read More | Community Wires

May 5, 2017

The Ridgway Record: Highland Twp, PA, residents seek support from county commissioners

The Ridgway Record: Highland Twp, PA, residents seek support from county commissioners

Seneca Resources attempts to force a frack wastewater injection well in Highland Township, PA, against the will of the people. Residents request support from Elk County Commissioners in their fight.

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May 4, 2017

Press Release: Colombia Constitutional Court Finds Atrato River Possesses Rights

Press Release: Colombia Constitutional Court Finds Atrato River Possesses Rights

Reversing course from mainstream views of nature as property, Colombia’s Constitutional Court finds the Atrato River is a rights-bearing entity – a necessary step to protect life on earth.

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

May 3, 2017

El Heraldo: Rights of Nature granted to the Atrato River in Colombia

El Heraldo: Rights of Nature granted to the Atrato River in Colombia

A Colombian court recognizes the rights of the Atrato River to exist and flourish, ordering the end of illegal mining and the use of toxins in extracting minerals.

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

May 1, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Communities Assert Right to Propose Laws Protecting Themselves from Fracking

Press Release: Ohio Communities Assert Right to Propose Laws Protecting Themselves from Fracking

Ohio counties exercise their right to protect themselves from fracking activities using community rights. Residents begin gathering signatures for county charter initiatives, aiming for the November ballot.

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Apr 30, 2017

Press Release: “Free and Fair Elections” Initiative Would Ban Corporate Dollars in Local Elections

Press Release: “Free and Fair Elections” Initiative Would Ban Corporate Dollars in Local Elections

Youngstown, OH, residents launch a free and fair election bill of rights initiative for the November ballot. The measure would allow only city residents to make campaign contributions, and caps the contribution amount.

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Apr 27, 2017

The Bradford Era: The joke is on Highland Township

The Bradford Era: The joke is on Highland Township

We watch as Highland residents fight to protect their water, the oil and gas industry attack, and the people’s own state government and PA Department of Environmental Protection back industry.

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Apr 25, 2017

Press Release: Oregon’s Right of Local Self-Government Vindicated

Press Release: Oregon’s Right of Local Self-Government Vindicated

Oregon court protects the people’s right to initiative, rejecting the Secretary of State’s effort to block the people’s rights-based state constitutional amendment from the ballot.

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

Apr 24, 2017

GoErie.com LTE: PA DEP suing municipalities during its ‘justice’ tour

GoErie.com LTE: PA DEP suing municipalities during its ‘justice’ tour

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection holds “listening hearings” for feedback from communities, while it sues two townships fighting the oil and gas industry.

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Apr 23, 2017

The Athens News: Athens County, OH, residents advance community rights charter initiative

The Athens News: Athens County, OH, residents advance community rights charter initiative

Athens County, OH, residents pursue third-year effort to advance community rights and ban fracking activities in the face of continued state efforts to block them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 21, 2017

Desmog: Oregon County Faces Gas Industry Funding, Lobbyists in Battle to Halt Jordan Cove LNG Project

Desmog: Oregon County Faces Gas Industry Funding, Lobbyists in Battle to Halt Jordan Cove LNG Project

The battle against big money is on in Coos County, OR. With support for industry coming from the White House, Coos residents are up against an all out propaganda war as they fight to protect their community from an LNG export terminal.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 20, 2017

The World: Industry donates enormous funds to defeat community rights measure

The World: Industry donates enormous funds to defeat community rights measure

Oil and gas industry donates more than $300,000 to defeat Coos County, OR, residents’ Right to a Sustainable Energy Future Ordinance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 19, 2017

Earth Island Journal: When Rivers Hold Legal Rights

Earth Island Journal: When Rivers Hold Legal Rights

The first steps towards recognizing the rights of rivers to exist and flourish are taken in New Zealand and India, advancing the growing movement to recognize the rights of nature.

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

Apr 17, 2017

The Huffington Post: They Told A Fracking Company To Go Away. 3 Years Later, They’re Still in Court.

The Huffington Post: They Told A Fracking Company To Go Away. 3 Years Later, They’re Still in Court.

The story of one small community’s fierce fight against the oil and gas industry, using community rights with CELDF and spearheading a movement.

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Apr 15, 2017

The Bradford Era: Highland’s water provider seeks to protect community water rights

The Bradford Era: Highland’s water provider seeks to protect community water rights

Highland Township, PA’s, Water Authority files to intervene in a federal lawsuit to protect the community’s right to water. Township Supervisors are attempting to give away that right and allow a frack wastewater injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 10, 2017

Mint Press News: PA Dept. of Environmental Protection Sues Towns Over Fracking Ban

Mint Press News: PA Dept. of Environmental Protection Sues Towns Over Fracking Ban

Residents of Grant and Highland Townships, PA, continue the fight to protect themselves from a frack wastewater injection well. Joining the fight against them: the PA DEP, which has sued the townships for protecting themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 10, 2017

The Indiana Gazette: Grant Twp, PA, residents plan local action to protect their water from injection well

The Indiana Gazette: Grant Twp, PA, residents plan local action to protect their water from injection well

Community rights advocates in Grant Township, PA, continue their stand to protect their water from a frack wastewater injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 8, 2017

The Christian Science Monitor: An Indian court says glaciers and rivers are ‘living entities.’ Could the same approach work in the US?

The Christian Science Monitor: An Indian court says glaciers and rivers are ‘living entities.’ Could the same approach work in the US?

From India, Ecuador, and Bolivia, to communities in the U.S., growing numbers of people are advancing nature’s rights and protecting ecosystems.

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

Apr 7, 2017

Pipeline foes talk protest

Pipeline foes talk protest

More than 50 people attend the Communities Rising Tour in Medina County, OH, discussing what needs to happen to protect themselves from the proposed Nexus pipeline.

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Apr 7, 2017

Grass-roots groups prepare to dig in deeper against Nexus pipeline

Grass-roots groups prepare to dig in deeper against Nexus pipeline

The OH/PA Communities Rising Tour stops in Medina County, OH, where residents face the Nexus pipeline and are organizing using Community Rights to stop it.

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Apr 4, 2017

Communities take action when their government fails them: Community Rights in PA/OH

Communities take action when their government fails them: Community Rights in PA/OH

Environmental activists, leaders, and residents are touring Pennsylvania and Ohio, sharing what they are doing in the face of the corporate state attempting to force fossil fuel harms in their communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 3, 2017

Blog: Colorado Fracking “Win:” Redefining Victory

Blog: Colorado Fracking “Win:” Redefining Victory

Colorado youth gained a win with the recent Court of Appeals decision regarding the COGCC and fracking permits. But how far does that win go?

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Apr 2, 2017

For economic and environmental sustainability, we need to govern ourselves

For economic and environmental sustainability, we need to govern ourselves

A Coos County, OR, resident calls out local officials supporting the oil and gas industry, rather than supporting residents in building long term economic and environmental sustainability through the people’s May ballot measure.

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Mar 31, 2017

In These Times: Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection Sues Towns for Trying to Protect Their Environment

In These Times: Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection Sues Towns for Trying to Protect Their Environment

It doesn’t get any clearer than this: our own environmental regulatory agencies suing communities who dare to protect the environment by banning fracking activities. Is there any question that we live in a corporate state?

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Mar 30, 2017

KBOO: Rights-based ban on pesticide spraying in Lincoln Co, OR, is on May ballot

KBOO: Rights-based ban on pesticide spraying in Lincoln Co, OR, is on May ballot

Seeking to elevate environmental rights over corporate “rights,” Lincoln Co, OR, residents will vote on a ban on aerial pesticide spraying in May.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 30, 2017

PennLive: Outrage and localism after state sues towns that banned frack water wells

PennLive: Outrage and localism after state sues towns that banned frack water wells

Residents of Grant and Highland Townships, PA, are outraged by the Dept. of Environmental Protection’s lawsuits against them for rights-based laws banning frack waste injections wells.

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Mar 29, 2017

PR: The Corporate State of Pennsylvania

PR: The Corporate State of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection sues Townships with Community Rights Home Rule Charters to force in fracking injection wells.

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Mar 28, 2017

PA Dept of Environmental Protection sues its own communities over fracking injection wells

PA Dept of Environmental Protection sues its own communities over fracking injection wells

A state agency charged with protecting the health and safety of communities and the natural environment sues Grant and Highland Townships in Pennsylvania, attempting to force in frack wastewater injection wells against the will of the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots