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Jun 9, 2016

Community Rights Paper #13: Breaking the Planet

Community Rights Paper #13: Breaking the Planet

Breaking the Planet takes an unflinching look at climate change, the legal and governing structures accelerating our own destruction, and the radical action necessary to cease the sweeping and violent damage being done to the planet, and us.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 7, 2016

Tacoma Daily Index: Port of Tacoma files suit to keep water initiatives off ballot

Tacoma Daily Index: Port of Tacoma files suit to keep water initiatives off ballot

Tacoma, WA, residents fight to protect their water while their own local electeds stand against them. Local government and business interests are suing to block a rights-based ballot initiative from a vote by the people. The measure would protect Tacoma water.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 5, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Portage County group seeking signatures on petition calling for community bill of rights vote

Akron Beacon Journal: Portage County group seeking signatures on petition calling for community bill of rights vote

Portage County, OH, residents gather signatures to place a Community Rights County Charter on the November ballot to ban fracking activities. Residents are advancing rights to protect themselves from the oil and gas industry.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 4, 2016

Truthout: Climate Justice From the Ground Up: Six Ballot Initiatives to Watch in 2016

Truthout: Climate Justice From the Ground Up: Six Ballot Initiatives to Watch in 2016

Local communities are using their inalienable right to govern the places where they live to take action against climate change. Truthout highlights them here, including CELDF partners in Columbus, OH; Grant Township, PA; and Colorado.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 1, 2016

The Citizen: Let’s move forward in solidarity to fight for community

The Citizen: Let’s move forward in solidarity to fight for community

Residents in New Hampshire are relieved as Northeast Energy Direct withdraws its pipeline plans. But one resident says there is no win here – simply a respite until the next threat – and urges Granite Staters to continue working for Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 1, 2016

The Register-Guard: Stop aerial herbicide spraying in Lane County

The Register-Guard: Stop aerial herbicide spraying in Lane County

Herbicides are found in Lane County, OR, residents from aerial pesticide spraying. Finding their state government protecting the corporate sprayers rather than the people, Oregon residents advance a Community Bill of Rights banning the spraying.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

Community Rights Lane County Street Theater

Community Rights Lane County Street Theater

As Lane County, OR, voters advance Community Rights, efforts are underway to block them. Community Rights Lane County uses street theater to help fight for the people’s democratic rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule Charter group holds first meeting

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule Charter group holds first meeting

Highland Township, PA’s Home Rule Study Commission was voted in last month. Last night, they held their first meeting to begin consideration of becoming a Home Rule township, retaining CELDF as legal counsel.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

The Jambar: Activists Ask President Obama to End Fracking in Film

The Jambar: Activists Ask President Obama to End Fracking in Film

A screening of Dear President Obama at Youngstown State Univ. provokes discussion on how to address fracking. It is not, says CELDF’s Tish O’Dell, about pleading with elected officials. It’s about the right to make governing decisions in the places we live.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 23, 2016

The World: Movement growing to defend against corporate interests

The World: Movement growing to defend against corporate interests

State governments block communities’ efforts to stop harmful activities. Corporations sue the communities and are backed by the judiciary. What’s left? Says blogger Mary Geddry: people insisting on their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 20, 2016

Daily Camera: John C. Lamb: Fracking decisions show the system is rigged

Daily Camera: John C. Lamb: Fracking decisions show the system is rigged

Colorado resident refuses to accede to the CO Supreme Court’s recent ruling that denies the people’s right to govern themselves and ban fracking. He calls on Coloradans to make real their right to local community self-government through a state constitutional amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 13, 2016

YES! Magazine: Faced With a Fracking Giant, This Small Town Just Legalized Civil Disobedience

YES! Magazine: Faced With a Fracking Giant, This Small Town Just Legalized Civil Disobedience

Grant Township, PA, residents send one clear, united message to the fracking industry: There will be no frack wastewater injection wells in our community. And we’re legalizing civil disobedience to make sure of it.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 12, 2016

The Laconia Daily Sun: Plymouth Selectboard’s Support of Northern Pass Would be Oath Violation

The Laconia Daily Sun: Plymouth Selectboard’s Support of Northern Pass Would be Oath Violation

The NHCRN urges Plymouth, NH’s, Selectboard to enforce the people’s Right to a Sustainable Energy Future and Community Self-Government Ordinance, adopted by residents in 2012 to stop the Northern Pass.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 10, 2016

The Tribune: Mailbox for May 10: Local Self-Government is needd

The Tribune: Mailbox for May 10: Local Self-Government is needd

The overturning of fracking bans in Colorado reveals corporations have more “rights” than people, and our government is here to protect those claimed “rights.” Coloradans are advancing a Community Rights state constitutional amendment to change that.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 6, 2016

Thom Hartmann Program: Civil Disobedience Just Became a Civic Duty

Thom Hartmann Program: Civil Disobedience Just Became a Civic Duty

Thom Hartmann interviews CELDF’s Chad Nicholson on Grant Township’s bold move to make civil disobedience a civic duty. Grant residents insist on protecting their community from toxic frack wastewater.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 4, 2016

Public Herald: Pennsylvania Township First To Legalize Civil Disobedience & ‘Bad Boy’ Tim DeChristopher Has Their Back

Public Herald: Pennsylvania Township First To Legalize Civil Disobedience & ‘Bad Boy’ Tim DeChristopher Has Their Back

How Grant Township, PA, residents continue to make history as they stand against PGE to stop a frack wastewater injection well – and garner support from members of the Climate Disobedience Center.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 4, 2016

Common Dreams: In This Passionate Anti-Fracking Town, Civil Disobedience Just Became Protected Civic Duty

Common Dreams: In This Passionate Anti-Fracking Town, Civil Disobedience Just Became Protected Civic Duty

In the face of PGE threatening a fracking wastewater injection well despite a local law banning injection wells, Grant Township, PA, residents make bold move and legalize civil disobedience.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 29, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. supervisor’s comments lead to motion in federal case

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. supervisor’s comments lead to motion in federal case

A newly appointed Highland Twp, PA, supervisor reveals he is not supportive of the Township’s Community Bill of Rights banning injection wells. In a lawsuit, CELDF attorneys request the judge to reconsider intervention by residents and the Crystal Spring ecosystem.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 27, 2016

Community Rights Paper #12: Preempting Democracy

Community Rights Paper #12: Preempting Democracy

North Carolina’s HB2 is a new state law that preempts local laws that protect LGBT rights. This means that the state legislature deliberately and knowingly eliminated protections for the LGBT community in North Carolina. It’s time for communities to take action.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 27, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township voters OK exploration of Home Rule Charter

The Bradford Era: Highland Township voters OK exploration of Home Rule Charter

Residents of Highland Township, PA, vote “yes” to consider a Home Rule form of government as they work for local community decision-making. The Township is fighting for their right to protect their community from a frack wastewater injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 27, 2016

Ames Tribune: County Bill of Rights proposed

Ames Tribune: County Bill of Rights proposed

Boone County, IA, residents propose a Community Bill of Rights banning pipelines. Residents are working with CELDF to protect communities from the Bakken pipeline, threatening to cut through farmland and harm local ecosystems and water sources.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 26, 2016

Press Release: Highland Township Votes “Yes”to Consider Home Rule

Press Release: Highland Township Votes “Yes”to Consider Home Rule

As Highland Township, PA, residents fight to keep out a frack wastewater injection well, tonight they voted “yes” to form a study commission to consider a Home Rule form of government, which could expand local control.

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

Apr 25, 2016

The Daily Item: My Turn: A necessary change to the system

The Daily Item: My Turn: A necessary change to the system

Our own local electeds are bound by our legal structure to allow harmful corporate practices into the communities they’ve sworn to protect. It’s up to the people to change this structure.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 25, 2016

Philly.com: A tiny town’s resistance to shale gas is put to the test

Philly.com: A tiny town’s resistance to shale gas is put to the test

Seneca Resources vows to defend its property rights – including its claimed right to site a wastewater injection well, which threatens drinking water sources. The people of Highland Township, PA, vow to protect their water and their community.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 18, 2016

Geddry: Maybe it is time to revoke our consent to be governed

Geddry: Maybe it is time to revoke our consent to be governed

Our right to local community self-government is unrecognized. Our elected representatives work on behalf of industry rather than we the people. Maybe it’s time to revoke our consent.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 14, 2016

Boulder Weekly: Community rights versus environmental destruction: Time to turn the page

Boulder Weekly: Community rights versus environmental destruction: Time to turn the page

In a state overrun by fracking, a Colorado leader in advancing Community Rights lays it out plainly: when democracy and fracking cannot coexist, one of them must always go. Through a state amendment initiative, Coloradans are working to make sure democracy is secured.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 13, 2016

The World: Secretary of State rejects ballot initiative seeking local control over corporations

The World: Secretary of State rejects ballot initiative seeking local control over corporations

Oregonians working to advance a community rights state constitutional amendment to protect the right to local self-government find their Secretary of State is working to block them. Residents are challenging the Secretary in the Oregon Supreme Court.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 11, 2016

Lancaster Online: Speaker: Pennsylvania communities need to revolt against Constitution to stop pipelines

Lancaster Online: Speaker: Pennsylvania communities need to revolt against Constitution to stop pipelines

Thomas Linzey speaks to how our legal structure keeping us from protecting our well-being, safeguarding ecosystems, and establishing a sustainable future. We need to change the structure to change the outcome.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 9, 2016

The Post: Friedrick’s recent column had some incorrect information

The Post: Friedrick’s recent column had some incorrect information

Supporters of Medina County, OH’s, Community Rights County Charter initiative call out fear tactics of anti-Community Rights government officials.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 9, 2016

The Post: Medina County: We have the right to clean air, water, soil

The Post: Medina County: We have the right to clean air, water, soil

When a county commissioner in Medina County, OH, steers residents away from protecting their community from fracking infrastructure projects through a rights-based county charter, residents call him out in this letter-to-the-editor.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 31, 2016

Kane Republican: Highland seen as leader in ‘revolt’ against corporations

Kane Republican: Highland seen as leader in ‘revolt’ against corporations

Highland Township, PA, is one of the leaders for communities across the U.S. that are advancing Community Rights to protect themselves from harm.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 31, 2016

The Bradford Era: CELDF founder lays out benefits of Home Rule charter to Highland Township

The Bradford Era: CELDF founder lays out benefits of Home Rule charter to Highland Township

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey speaks to Highland Township, PA, residents on their fight to protect their community from a frack wastewater injection well. Highland residents are considering a Community Rights Home Rule charter.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 27, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township continues exploring home rule

The Bradford Era: Highland Township continues exploring home rule

Highland Township, PA, residents consider pursuing a Community Rights Home Rule Charter to protect themselves from Seneca Resources’ proposed injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 24, 2016

Fosters.com: Barrington acts to protect natural resources

Fosters.com: Barrington acts to protect natural resources

Barrington, NH, Community Rights leader Cilia Bannenberg celebrates the townspeople’s adoption of a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance. The local law protects clean air, soil, and water, and bans unsustainable corporate practices as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 20, 2016

Cleveland.com: Pro-fracking writer ignored essential dangers of drilling: Tish O’Dell, Mothers Against Drilling in Our Neighborhoods

Cleveland.com: Pro-fracking writer ignored essential dangers of drilling: Tish O’Dell, Mothers Against Drilling in Our Neighborhoods

Ohio resident Tish O’Dell counters the oil and gas industry’s insistence that fracking is safe. Regardless, communities have the right to determine what happens in the places where they live, and protect their health, safety, and welfare.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2016

The World: FERC leaves Jordan Cove among the ‘undead’

The World: FERC leaves Jordan Cove among the ‘undead’

Coos County, OR, residents recognize FERC’s denial of Jordan Cove export terminal is not a win. FERC openly admits economic conditions – and not harm to the environment – was the basis for their decision. Residents dig in to continue advancing community rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 18, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina, Portage counties seek community bill of rights votes

Akron Beacon Journal: Medina, Portage counties seek community bill of rights votes

Medina and Portage Counties in Ohio begin gathering signatures to place Community Rights County Charters on the November ballot. Residents face fracking infrastructure projects, including pipelines and injection wells, and are advancing rights to protect themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 14, 2016

Concord Monitor: Barnstead voters pass community bill of rights barring future religious identification

Concord Monitor: Barnstead voters pass community bill of rights barring future religious identification

In the face of hostile political rhetoric in the 2016 Republican presidential campaign, Barnstead, NH, residents protect themselves from religious identification requirements through a Community Bill of Rights adopted at Town Meeting on Saturday.

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

Mar 11, 2016

Geddry.com: Bucking the establishment anti-LNG crowd

Geddry.com: Bucking the establishment anti-LNG crowd

Making clear the distinction between ordinances banning harms and Community Bills of Rights laws banning harmful activities as a violation of rights, Coos County, OR, blogger and Community Rights proponent Mary Geddry urges support for rights-based strategies.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 10, 2016

The Athens News: County group plans to bring charter proposal back in November

The Athens News: County group plans to bring charter proposal back in November

Athens County, OH, residents advance a Community Rights County Charter banning frack wastewater injection wells for the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 10, 2016

Fosters.com: Barrington narrowly approves ordinance to protect waterways

Fosters.com: Barrington narrowly approves ordinance to protect waterways

Barrington, NH, residents assert their right to local self-government in order to protect clean air, water, and soil, and to make the decisions about what extraction activities can occur in their Town.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 8, 2016

Truthout: A New Strategy to Address Climate Change: Suing for Community Rights

Truthout: A New Strategy to Address Climate Change: Suing for Community Rights

As climate change catapults the planet toward ecological devastation, community rights emerges as a strategy to build a social and political movement addressing its root causes, shifting the rights of people and nature above corporate and special interests.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 8, 2016

News Lincoln County: Let the People Decide

News Lincoln County: Let the People Decide

Lincoln County, OR, residents urge a county judge to recognize the right of communities to gather signatures and vote on the people’s Community Bill of Rights initiative. Let the people decide.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 1, 2016

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Viewpoint – Let’s give power back to people

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Viewpoint – Let’s give power back to people

New Hampshire State House Representative Susan Emerson calls for the legislature to place a Community Rights state constitutional amendment forward for a vote by the people of New Hampshire, to secure their inalienable right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 28, 2016

Green Party of England and Wales’ Rights of Nature Policy

Green Party of England and Wales’ Rights of Nature Policy

On February 28th, the Green Party of England and Wales adopted a Rights of Nature policy, drafted in partnership with CELDF. Read the language here.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 27, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. residents to vote on home rule charter in April

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. residents to vote on home rule charter in April

Highland Township, PA, residents to vote on home rule as a tool to advance community rights and protect themselves from a fracking wastewater injection well. Seneca Resources Corporation is claiming a corporate “right” to site the well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 21, 2016

New Hampshire Legislative Committee Deceives Community Rights Supporters

New Hampshire Legislative Committee Deceives Community Rights Supporters

Community Rights state constitutional amendment in New Hampshire receives outpouring of support from residents, and disregard from the legislative committee. The measure advances to the House for debate with unwaivering commitment from Granite Staters.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 18, 2016

Ohio Street Theater Production: The People vs. the Corporate State

Ohio Street Theater Production: The People vs. the Corporate State

The Ohio Community Rights Network partners with Medina County residents to stage The People vs. the Corporate State. Check out the David vs. Goliath production.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 17, 2016

The Medina-Gazette: Public airs concerns over NEXUS station with EPA

The Medina-Gazette: Public airs concerns over NEXUS station with EPA

The Ohio Community Rights Network presented a street theater production prior to the Ohio EPA’s public meeting on the proposed compressor station, which is part of the NEXUS Gas Transmission project

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 16, 2016

Cleveland.com: No new oil, gas well applications in Broadview Heights, despite court case supporting drillers

Cleveland.com: No new oil, gas well applications in Broadview Heights, despite court case supporting drillers

Broadview Heights, OH, residents’ strong stand to block new drilling wells keeps fracking out and oil and gas companies away.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots