News from the Grassroots

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Jan 3, 2018

Daily Camera: Lafayette to meet with legal fund on fracking ban defense, over counsel’s concerns

Daily Camera: Lafayette to meet with legal fund on fracking ban defense, over counsel’s concerns

Lafayette, CO, city council looks to defend its Right to Climate ordinance banning fracking activities, holding an open forum with CELDF on strategies to do so.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 22, 2017

The Guardian: New Zealand gives Mount Taranaki same legal rights as a person

The Guardian: New Zealand gives Mount Taranaki same legal rights as a person

As part of the growing Rights of Nature movement, this sacred mountain in New Zealand is now recognized as having rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 21, 2017

Fosters.com: We the people shall rule

Fosters.com: We the people shall rule

People have always risen up to right the wrongs inflicted by the ruling elite. That time has come again, and the people of New Hampshire are using Community Rights to end harmful exploitation of our communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 7, 2017

The New Political: Here’s how the Ohio Community Rights Network is reforming the Ohio Constitution

The New Political: Here’s how the Ohio Community Rights Network is reforming the Ohio Constitution

CELDF, the Ohio Community Rights Network, and Athens County, OH, residents are partnering together to advance democratic and environmental rights to all Ohio residents.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 7, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Ballot Board Approves Community Rights State Constitutional Amendments

Press Release: Ohio Ballot Board Approves Community Rights State Constitutional Amendments

Two Community Rights state constitutional amendments advance in Ohio, meeting Ballot Board requirements for single subject. Residents are launching their signature gathering campaign.

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

Dec 7, 2017

San Diego Free Press: Time to Escalate? First-Ever Rights of Nature Lawsuit Dismissed

San Diego Free Press: Time to Escalate? First-Ever Rights of Nature Lawsuit Dismissed

Will Falk, as a “next friend” in the recently dismissed Colorado River v. State of Colorado lawsuit, examines the reality of our legal system – designed to protect property, not people or nature.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 2, 2017

Post Independent: State files again to dismiss Colorado River ‘personhood’ lawsuit, threatens to sanction lawyer

Post Independent: State files again to dismiss Colorado River ‘personhood’ lawsuit, threatens to sanction lawyer

The Colorado AG wants to shut down the rights of nature case, Colorado River v. State of Colorado. Supporters know the case is part of a growing movement to protect ecosystems by recognizing their rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 30, 2017

Summit Daily: Attorney in Colorado River lawsuit refuses to withdraw suit despite threats of sanctions from state

Summit Daily: Attorney in Colorado River lawsuit refuses to withdraw suit despite threats of sanctions from state

As climate change accelerates unabated, growing numbers of people and communities are advancing Rights of Nature in court. In Colorado, the Attorney General uses threat of sanctions to shut it down.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 29, 2017

Courthouse News: Attorney Rebuffs Colorado’s Threat of Sanctions in River Case

Courthouse News: Attorney Rebuffs Colorado’s Threat of Sanctions in River Case

Jason Flores-Williams is arguing for the rights of the Colorado River in federal court and now faces sanctions for doing so. He is unflinching in his response.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 29, 2017

US News: Ohio Activists Push Amendments to Restore Community Rights

US News: Ohio Activists Push Amendments to Restore Community Rights

Communities across the country are rising up as corporate threats grow – including Ohio, where residents are advancing rights-based state constitutional amendments elevating Community Rights over corporate “rights.”

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

Nov 28, 2017

The Hartmann Report: What’s It Going to Take to Return to the Politics of Sanity?

The Hartmann Report: What’s It Going to Take to Return to the Politics of Sanity?

Radio host Thom Hartmann interviews NH representative Ellen Read and CELDF’s Michelle Sanborn on the NH Community Rights state constitutional amendment. The interview begins at 31 minutes.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 28, 2017

The Athens News: Rights groups hope to achieve goals by altering state law

The Athens News: Rights groups hope to achieve goals by altering state law

Coming up against state preemption and corporate “rights,” Ohio residents say “no more!” They are working with CELDF to advance two state constitutional amendments that protect community and nature’s rights.

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

Nov 28, 2017

Cleveland.com: Ohio local governance amendments certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine

Cleveland.com: Ohio local governance amendments certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine

Ohio residents meet first hurdle in advancing two rights-based state constitutional amendments, drafted with CELDF and the Ohio Community Rights Network.

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

Nov 22, 2017

Belt Magazine: Big Ag vs. Lake Erie: How Ohio’s Biggest Industry Threatens Its Greatest Resource

Belt Magazine: Big Ag vs. Lake Erie: How Ohio’s Biggest Industry Threatens Its Greatest Resource

Growing algae in Lake Erie is driving Toledo, OH, residents to advance a Community Bill of Rights initiative, which would protect the Lake, recognizing its right to exist and flourish.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 18, 2017

Post Independent: Supporters rally to give Colorado River rights

Post Independent: Supporters rally to give Colorado River rights

Supporters of the federal lawsuit to recognize rights of the Colorado River look ahead to build momentum for the broader recognition of the rights of nature.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 17, 2017

The Hill: My freedom is on the line to fight climate change, more will follow

The Hill: My freedom is on the line to fight climate change, more will follow

Climate Disobedience Center’s Ken Ward lays bare what the Bonn climate talks are really about: 50 shades of climate denial. People on the ground and driven by necessity will do what is necessary to save the planet.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 15, 2017

Seacoastonline.com: Amendment would recognize right to self-government

Seacoastonline.com: Amendment would recognize right to self-government

Residents urge New Hampshire legislators to place a Community Rights state constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 13, 2017

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: ‘No is no is no’: A tiny township’s fight against oil and gas waste disposal

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: ‘No is no is no’: A tiny township’s fight against oil and gas waste disposal

While Grant Township, PA, residents fight to protect themselves from PGE’s frack wastewater injection well, the oil and gas industry admits it wants to bankrupt CELDF.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 11, 2017

The Post: Charter proponents protest outside board of elections

The Post: Charter proponents protest outside board of elections

Community Rights activists speak out against Medina County’s BOE blocking a proposed county charter citizen initiative. Residents gathered 17,000 signatures to place the measure on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 10, 2017

Truthout: “Nature Has Rights”: Activists Call for a Legal Transformation

Truthout: “Nature Has Rights”: Activists Call for a Legal Transformation

There is a growing global movement of activists and attorneys who are forging a new kind of environmental law by proclaiming the legal “rights of nature.”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 7, 2017

Sentinel-Tribune: Mayor offers impromptu remarks on Nexus, charter amendment

Sentinel-Tribune: Mayor offers impromptu remarks on Nexus, charter amendment

Students fight for right to a livable climate in Bowling Green, OH, advancing a charter amendment measure to protect the City from the Nexus pipeline.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 30, 2017

KBOO Radio: Coos River Estuary Intervenes in Jordan Cove FERC Proceedings

KBOO Radio: Coos River Estuary Intervenes in Jordan Cove FERC Proceedings

As part of the growing movement for the Rights of Nature, Coos River Estuary in Oregon recently filed to intervene in a FERC hearing on the Jordan Cove project.

Read More | Community Wires, Events, News from the Grassroots

Oct 22, 2017

Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: Plaintiff Coyote: Group helps communities put rights of nature into law

Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: Plaintiff Coyote: Group helps communities put rights of nature into law

This is what we need to do, given the global environmental crisis we face and the legal structure that created it: dismantle existing law and build something new.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 19, 2017

KUNC: Is A Personhood Lawsuit The Best Way To Save The Colorado River?

KUNC: Is A Personhood Lawsuit The Best Way To Save The Colorado River?

An over-burdened Colorado River ecosystem files a first-in-the-nation lawsuit to have its rights recognized at a time of growing ecological crisis.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 19, 2017

Sentinel-Tribune: Ohio Supreme Court denies effort to keep BG charter amendment off ballot

Sentinel-Tribune: Ohio Supreme Court denies effort to keep BG charter amendment off ballot

The people prevail! An attempt to keep Bowling Green, OH, residents from voting on their Right to Climate ballot initiative falls flat before the Ohio Supreme Court.

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

Oct 18, 2017

NPQ: The Colorado River Has Its Own Lawyer Now

NPQ: The Colorado River Has Its Own Lawyer Now

A lawsuit to recognize the rights of the Colorado River to exist, flourish, and evolve, is the next step in the growing Rights of Nature movement.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 18, 2017

Desmog: Fossil Fuel Misinformation Helps Quash Community Effort to Ban Fracking in Youngstown, Ohio

Desmog: Fossil Fuel Misinformation Helps Quash Community Effort to Ban Fracking in Youngstown, Ohio

The oil and gas industry, Ohio legislators, and the Ohio Supreme Court strip Youngstown residents of their right to vote. Their response: “Onward!”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 13, 2017

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

The Current interviews attorney Jason Flores-Williams on his work with Deep Green Resistance to recognize the rights of the Colorado River. DGR filed a federal lawsuit filed last month.

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

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

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

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

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

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots