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Mar 23, 2017

PR: Ohio / Pennsylvania Communities Rising Tour: Defying the Corporate State

PR: Ohio / Pennsylvania Communities Rising Tour: Defying the Corporate State

Ohio and Pennsylvania residents are inundated with environmental harms, and have had enough. Join the Communities Rising tour, featuring voices from the front lines in the wave of direction action against the corporate state. Check it out here.

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Mar 22, 2017

PR: First in Ohio Ballot Initiative: Right to a Healthy Climate in Bowling Green

PR: First in Ohio Ballot Initiative: Right to a Healthy Climate in Bowling Green

Bowling Green, OH, students and residents join together to advance a Community Rights Charter Amendment for the November ballot. The measure would establish a right climate – the first measure of its kind in the state.

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Mar 10, 2017

Changing the power structures through We the People 2.0 and Community Rights

Changing the power structures through We the People 2.0 and Community Rights

Gig Harbor, WA, residents face over-development and environmental threats – and turn to the documentary We the People 2.0 and Community Rights for solutions.

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Mar 9, 2017

CCBOR Media Release: Columbus Water Protectors Deliver Anti-Fracking Petitions to City Hall

CCBOR Media Release: Columbus Water Protectors Deliver Anti-Fracking Petitions to City Hall

Columbus, OH, residents to deliver more than 10,000 signatures to City Hall on Friday. Residents are working to place a Community Bill of Rights banning toxic fracking waste on the November ballot.

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Feb 22, 2017

Indiana Gazette LTE: Learning from Grant Twp, PA, on protecting our communities from fracking

Indiana Gazette LTE: Learning from Grant Twp, PA, on protecting our communities from fracking

When our government fails to protect us from fracking activities, we must do so ourselves.

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Feb 20, 2017

The World: Coos County Right to a Sustainable Energy Future Ordinance on May ballot in OR

The World: Coos County Right to a Sustainable Energy Future Ordinance on May ballot in OR

Coos County, OR, residents advance rights to stop Jordan Cove LNG export project.

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Feb 13, 2017

The Seattle Times LTE: City Council applauded – now it’s time for Community Rights

The Seattle Times LTE: City Council applauded – now it’s time for Community Rights

Seattle’s City Council withdraws financial ties with Wells Fargo over the Dakota Access Pipeline. Now it’s time for them to take the next step.

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Feb 12, 2017

Lancaster Online: No remedy to protect themselves, Lancaster Co, PA residents take direct action

Lancaster Online: No remedy to protect themselves, Lancaster Co, PA residents take direct action

Lancaster Co, PA, residents move to non-violent civil disobedience to protect their communities from the Atlantic Sunrise LNG pipeline.

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Feb 9, 2017

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights draws passionate support from mothers, children

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights draws passionate support from mothers, children

Lafayette, CO, residents show resounding support for a Climate Bill of Rights that would legalize non-violent civil disobedience to enforce their ban on fracking.

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Feb 8, 2017

Daily Camera: Lafayette leaders, Standing Rock members voice support for anti-fracking proposal

Daily Camera: Lafayette leaders, Standing Rock members voice support for anti-fracking proposal

Lafayette, CO, residents and Standing Rock members call for local action as Lafayette advances a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections.

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Feb 6, 2017

The Oberlin Review: Oberlin Must Stand by Community Bill of Rights

The Oberlin Review: Oberlin Must Stand by Community Bill of Rights

The City of Oberlin, OH, has a Community Bill of Rights protecting them from unsustainable energy projects – and an Oberlin resident calls on the community to enforce it.

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Feb 1, 2017

The Spokesman-Review: Oil, coal train protesters in Spokane file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

The Spokesman-Review: Oil, coal train protesters in Spokane file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

Residents of Spokane, WA, file a federal lawsuit asserting the people’s right to a healthy climate.

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Feb 1, 2017

KREM2: ‘Raging Grannies’ and other protesters file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

KREM2: ‘Raging Grannies’ and other protesters file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

“Raging Granny” residents in Spokane, WA, file federal lawsuit for a right to a livable climate.

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Jan 31, 2017

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Control Over Coal and Oil Trains

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Control Over Coal and Oil Trains

CELDF files lawsuit against the federal government, asserting federal law preempting municipal control of fossil fuel rail shipments violates residents’ constitutional right to a healthy climate and local self-government.

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Jan 31, 2017

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Health and Safety Laws Concerning Coal and Oil Trains

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Health and Safety Laws Concerning Coal and Oil Trains

CELDF files lawsuit against the federal government, asserting federal law preempting municipal control of fossil fuel rail shipments violates residents’ constitutional right to a healthy climate and local self-government.

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Jan 28, 2017

Columbus Free Press: Corporate State Attempts to Choke Off Citizens’ Initiatives

Columbus Free Press: Corporate State Attempts to Choke Off Citizens’ Initiatives

As prior people’s movements have taught us, when unjust government promotes unjust laws, we must promote local laws advancing rights.

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Jan 21, 2017

Counterpunch: Get The Frack Out of Pennsylvania

Counterpunch: Get The Frack Out of Pennsylvania

Fiction mirrors reality, and author Lee Ballinger draws the parallels between a novel set in Pennsylvania describing the ravages of fracking, and the reality in Grant Township, where residents are fighting back to protect themselves and assert their rights.

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Jan 19, 2017

The Athens Messenger: HB 463 will not stand

The Athens Messenger: HB 463 will not stand

Ohioans recognize the state legislature’s assault on democracy through the adoption of HB 463. Presented as a foreclosure bill, legislators encroached on citizens’ right to initiative, blocking the right to local self-government.

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Jan 19, 2017

Boulder Weekly: Lafayette Council considers legalizing direct action to protect environment

Boulder Weekly: Lafayette Council considers legalizing direct action to protect environment

The state of Colorado refuses to recognize residents’ right to protect themselves from fracking. But Lafayette City Council considers a Right to Climate ordinance legalizing nonviolent direct action to protect residents – and residents came out in droves to support the local law.

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Jan 18, 2017

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette’s Climate Change Bill of Rights: A small town grapples with a big idea

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette’s Climate Change Bill of Rights: A small town grapples with a big idea

An overwhelming number of Lafayette, CO, residents attend a City Council meeting to urge support for a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections that legalizes non-violent civil disobedience.

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Jan 17, 2017

KDV1 Fox 31 Denver: Proposed ordinance sparks fracking debate in Lafayette

KDV1 Fox 31 Denver: Proposed ordinance sparks fracking debate in Lafayette

Lafayette and other Colorado residents come out in force to support a Climate Bill of Rights ordinance that bans fracking.

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Jan 16, 2017

Daily Camera: Merrily Mazza: Why we need a Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights

Daily Camera: Merrily Mazza: Why we need a Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights

Lafaytte, CO, City Councilwoman Merrily Mazza co-sponsors the Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights and Protections, calling for nonviolent civil disobedience to end unjust laws under the corporate state.

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Jan 14, 2017

Kane Republican: Motion to intervene filed in Highland Twp. case

Kane Republican: Motion to intervene filed in Highland Twp. case

While Seneca Resources tries to force a frack wastewater injection well into Highland Twp, PA, a second time, residents and the Crystal Spring Ecosystem fight back, filing for intervenor status in a federal lawsuit.

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Jan 14, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE – Right to Local Control

Akron Beacon Journal: LTE – Right to Local Control

The Ohio legislature adopted HB 463, further stripping communities of local control. Portage County residents speak out, vowing they will press forward with a county-wide rights-based charter.

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Jan 13, 2017

PR: Ecosystem and Residents File Motion to Intervene In Federal Lawsuit

PR: Ecosystem and Residents File Motion to Intervene In Federal Lawsuit

Crystal Spring Ecosystem and residents of Highland Township, PA, filed to intervene in a lawsuit today. Parties are fighting to block Seneca Resources’ plans to site a frack wastewater injection well in the Township as a violation of their Home Rule Charter.

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Jan 8, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: How lame ducks narrowed the right of Ohioans to take issues to the ballot

Akron Beacon Journal: How lame ducks narrowed the right of Ohioans to take issues to the ballot

The editorial board speaks out against the Ohio legislature’s stripping residents of their right to initiative.

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Jan 6, 2017

Kane Republican: Former water/sewer board is back in Highland

Kane Republican: Former water/sewer board is back in Highland

Highland Township Supervisors in Highland, PA, abandon their efforts to illegitimately remove the Water Authority board. Highland residents are fighting to protect themselves from an injection well, while their Supervisors ally with the fracking industry.

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Jan 5, 2017

Community Rights Lane County Receives 2016 Community Service Award

Community Rights Lane County Receives 2016 Community Service Award

Community Rights Lane County is the recipient of the Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network (ESSN) 2016 Community Service Award for their “faithful and dedicated service in the fight against injustice.” Congratulations!

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Jan 5, 2017

Daily Camera: Lafayette considers legalizing civil disobedience against fracking operations

Daily Camera: Lafayette considers legalizing civil disobedience against fracking operations

City Council in Lafayette, CO, advances a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections ordinance that legalizes nonviolent direct action to protect against oil and gas drilling.

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Jan 4, 2017

PR: Cease and Desist Letter Issued to Highland Township Supervisors

PR: Cease and Desist Letter Issued to Highland Township Supervisors

Highland Township, PA, supervisors concede they don’t have the authority to remove the Township’s Water Authority Board after receiving a cease and desist letter. Supervisors have been harassing the Board as the community fights an injection well.

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Dec 29, 2016

PR: Lafayette, CO, Residents Introduce Climate Bill of Rights and Protections

PR: Lafayette, CO, Residents Introduce Climate Bill of Rights and Protections

Lafayette, CO, residents introduce a law codifying the right to a healthy climate, and protecting and enforcing that right through non-violent direct action.

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Dec 29, 2016

Yes! Magazine: As a Trump Administration Fast Approaches, Cities and Towns Gear Up for Political Resistance

Yes! Magazine: As a Trump Administration Fast Approaches, Cities and Towns Gear Up for Political Resistance

Community Bills of Rights are a tool to protect rights at the local level, such as Barnstead, NH’s prohibition on religious identification requirements, and Grant Township, PA’s, ban fracking activities to protect clean air and water.

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Dec 26, 2016

The World: Local control can replace 19th-century energy thinking

The World: Local control can replace 19th-century energy thinking

Coos County, OR, residents aim to transform their community through Community Rights, democratizing energy development and creating sustainability. They’re willing to challenge unjust laws to do so.

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Dec 22, 2016

Oberlin News-Tribune: We must oppose unjust laws

Oberlin News-Tribune: We must oppose unjust laws

An Oberlin, OH, resident urges resistance to unjust laws forcing the Nexus pipeline into the City. It is a call for courage and to follow in the footsteps of prior rights-based movements, such as the Abolitionists, Suffragists, and Civil Rights Movement.

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Dec 20, 2016

Community Rights Paper #14: Democratic Rights Matter

Community Rights Paper #14: Democratic Rights Matter

There is a corporate state crack down on communities governing themselves and taking action to protect future generations. The crack down is evidence that these communities’ strategies are working, and striking at the power wielded against people and nature.

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Dec 13, 2016

Yes! Magazine: A Healthier Democracy Starts Right Where You Live

Yes! Magazine: A Healthier Democracy Starts Right Where You Live

A review of Tree Media’s documentary on CELDF’s work in communities across the country: We the People 2.0 – The Second American Revolution.

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Dec 9, 2016

Yes! Magazine: A Last Resort That Might Work: Small Town Votes In Community Bill of Rights to Ban Fracking

Yes! Magazine: A Last Resort That Might Work: Small Town Votes In Community Bill of Rights to Ban Fracking

The story of Waterville, OH, residents, taking their health and safety into their own hands, and banning Spectra Energy’s Nexus pipeline as a violation of rights.

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Dec 6, 2016

Sentinel-Tribune: By unanimous vote, BG council rejects easement for Nexus pipeline project

Sentinel-Tribune: By unanimous vote, BG council rejects easement for Nexus pipeline project

A huge crowd of residents from Bowling Green and beyond gather to show their overwhelming support of City Council members to vote against an easement for the Nexus pipeline. Council did so unanimously.

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Dec 1, 2016

Harper’s Magazine: Class Takeover

Harper’s Magazine: Class Takeover

It’s not just water that’s privatized and stripped from local control. Youngstown, OH’s education system has been seized from the public and put into private hands. What happens in Youngstown will happen to us. What are we going to do about it?

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Nov 27, 2016

The Blade: B.G. council to decide on pipeline offer

The Blade: B.G. council to decide on pipeline offer

About 100 people attended a Bowling Green, OH, City Council meeting. Residents urged council members to refuse easement access to Spectra Energy for a pipeline to cut through the City, including members of OHCRN.

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Nov 18, 2016

The Gazette: “We the People 2.0” documentary shows similar struggles to opposition to NEXUS pipeline

The Gazette: “We the People 2.0” documentary shows similar struggles to opposition to NEXUS pipeline

The Nexus Pipeline threatens Medina County, OH, residents. Medina residents gather to watch We the People 2.0, a documentary about communities across the U.S. facing similar battles, and using Community Rights to fight back.

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Nov 8, 2016

PR: Highland Township Bans Injection Wells, Rebukes Corporate Rule

PR: Highland Township Bans Injection Wells, Rebukes Corporate Rule

Highland Township, PA, voters step up their fight to protect themselves from a frack wastewater injection well, adopting a rights-based Home Rule Charter banning the well, 55% to 45%.

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Nov 8, 2016

PR: Youngstown Residents: Unshakable Determination as They Look Ahead to Next Community Bill of Rights

PR: Youngstown Residents: Unshakable Determination as They Look Ahead to Next Community Bill of Rights

The might of the oil and gas industry and its allies were out in force, outspending residents enormously in today’s election to defeat the people’s Community Bill of Rights banning fracking. While the measure was defeated, the people are not.

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Nov 8, 2016

PR: Waterville Residents Ban Pipelines and Compressor Stations through Adopting Community Bill of Rights

PR: Waterville Residents Ban Pipelines and Compressor Stations through Adopting Community Bill of Rights

Waterville, OH, residents make clear the Nexus pipeline and compressor station will not cut through their community, overwhelmingly adopting a Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment banning fracking related activities.

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Nov 7, 2016

Kane Republican: Township referendum question causes ad campaign onslaught

Kane Republican: Township referendum question causes ad campaign onslaught

As Highland Township, PA, residents prefer to vote on their rights-based Home Rule Charter to protect themselves against a frack wastewater injection well, Seneca Resources funds anti-Charter flyers to sway voters.

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Nov 4, 2016

The Investigative Fund: Big Oil and Gas Take Aim at Ballot Initiative Process in Colorado

The Investigative Fund: Big Oil and Gas Take Aim at Ballot Initiative Process in Colorado

In Colorado and Ohio, the oil and gas industry maneuvers to keep citizen initiatives threatening fracking off the ballot. In Colorado, the industry has advanced a measure to make future initiatives even more difficult for residents to move forward.

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Oct 30, 2016

Salon: What’s not being voted on this November: Local democracy is being squashed from coast to coast

Salon: What’s not being voted on this November: Local democracy is being squashed from coast to coast

Simon Davis-Cohen reveals escalating efforts to quash We the People from exercising our right to initiative. From fracking and water protection, to minimum wage and police reform, the corporate state is cracking down.

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Oct 25, 2016

The Gazette: NEXUS route changes, concerns discussed

The Gazette: NEXUS route changes, concerns discussed

While the Nexus pipeline has been re-routed, it’s simply sacrificing another community in Medina County, Ohio. Residents meet to learn what’s happening and what they can do about it.

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