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Jun 25, 2018

Tulane Environmental Law Journal: Representing Ecosystems in Court: An Introduction for Practitioners

Tulane Environmental Law Journal: Representing Ecosystems in Court: An Introduction for Practitioners

CELDF attorney Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin advocates that the fight for ecosystem rights will be most effective working side by side with the fights for decolonization and for democracy.

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Jun 21, 2018

Daily Camera: After protest derails meeting, Lafayette says it will still vote on new drilling regs next month

Daily Camera: After protest derails meeting, Lafayette says it will still vote on new drilling regs next month

Lafayette, CO, City Council attempts to move forward with legalizing fracking while residents plan next steps to protect the community.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 20, 2018

Denver7: Anti-fracking protesters shut down LaFayette council meeting

Denver7: Anti-fracking protesters shut down LaFayette council meeting

As community members in Lafayette, CO, demand their City Council stand by the City’s Climate Bill of Rights, they force the council meeting to adjourn. Council members were attempting to legalize drilling.

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Jun 20, 2018

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking protest forces Lafayette City Council to adjourn early, suspend vote on new drilling rules

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking protest forces Lafayette City Council to adjourn early, suspend vote on new drilling rules

Lafayette, CO, residents shut down City Council, protecting their Climate Bill of Rights as council members attempt to legalize fracking.

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

May 24, 2018

Press Release: Ohio Attorney & Community Rights Advocate Receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award

Press Release: Ohio Attorney & Community Rights Advocate Receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award

Environmental and social justice attorney Terry Lodge receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award. Lodge partners with CELDF to advance and protect Community Rights for communities across Ohio.

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

May 23, 2018

The Guardian: Our laws make slaves of nature. It’s not just humans who need rights

The Guardian: Our laws make slaves of nature. It’s not just humans who need rights

As the recognition of Rights of Nature grows globally, we must move beyond thinking of nature as having legal personhood rights. We must recognize rights of ecosystems to existence, regeneration and restoration.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 21, 2018

The Remarkable Advancement of the NH Community Rights State Constitutional Amendment

The Remarkable Advancement of the NH Community Rights State Constitutional Amendment

A landmark legislative session was held this winter in New Hampshire. It marked the first time a Community Rights state constitutional amendment was debated and voted on by a state House of Representatives.

Read More | Community Wires

May 21, 2018

Press Release: PGE Continues Efforts to Bankrupt Grant Township

Press Release: PGE Continues Efforts to Bankrupt Grant Township

PGE continues to harass Grant Township, a small community in rural Pennsylvania, by attempting to force the Township to pay attorney’s fees. Grant residents are protecting their water by fighting PGE’s proposed fracking wastewater injection well.

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May 18, 2018

CELDF at the May 2018 Permanent People’s Tribunal

CELDF at the May 2018 Permanent People’s Tribunal

On May 16, 2018, a CELDF representative presented at the PPT on fracking as a violation of the Rights of Nature and the human right to a healthy environment.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

May 16, 2018

Blog: Dangerous to the 1% – An Informed Public

Blog: Dangerous to the 1% – An Informed Public

An uninformed, passive public is easy to for the 1% to lead. We must become knowledgeable – not just about what is happening, but how and why. We must take on difficult questions and challenge the status quo if we are going to create a new way of life.

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May 14, 2018

Center for Humans & Nature: Does Fracking Violate Human Rights?

Center for Humans & Nature: Does Fracking Violate Human Rights?

Check out the stories being submitted as evidence this week at the international Permanent People’s Tribunal, where the PPT is considering fracking, climate change, and the violation of the rights of people and nature.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

May 9, 2018

Press Release: The Right to Water Shut Off in Unjust Youngstown Election

Press Release: The Right to Water Shut Off in Unjust Youngstown Election

It was a questionable election at best for Youngstown, OH, where community members are fighting for their right to clean water in a city that is making it increasingly difficult to even vote on citizen initiatives.

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May 7, 2018

Fosters.com: A rights-based ordinance for the Great Bay

Fosters.com: A rights-based ordinance for the Great Bay

Newmarket, Durham, and Newington, NH, residents are a part of the growing Community Rights movement building across the state as they work to protect the Lamprey Watershed from a number of corporate projects.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 1, 2018

The Daily News: Pig farm fight continues

The Daily News: Pig farm fight continues

Todd Township, PA, residents urge township supervisors to adopt their Community Bill of Rights banning a pig factory farm that threatens their community.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 24, 2018

The Progressive: Across the U.S., Courts are Keeping Voter Initiatives Off Local Ballots

The Progressive: Across the U.S., Courts are Keeping Voter Initiatives Off Local Ballots

This is what it looks like when elected officials and courts block direct democracy – citizen initiative rights are stripped and communities’ health, safety, and welfare are disregarded.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 19, 2018

Tell Me a Story: Michelle Holman, activist

Tell Me a Story: Michelle Holman, activist

Michelle Holman is a Community Rights activist in Lane County, OR, where she is fighting aerial-sprayed pesticides with residents and allies. Here, a short video story on her activism and why Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 14, 2018

Blog: The Gun Establishment’s Weapon of Choice

Blog: The Gun Establishment’s Weapon of Choice

Courageous local officials in ten Florida cities are fighting punishments enacted by the state legislature under an unjust gun law. But it’s the state’s claimed power of preemption that must be challenged.

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Apr 10, 2018

Oxford Human Rights Hub: RightsUp #RightNow – When Human Rights Are Not Enough: Defending the Rights of Nature

Oxford Human Rights Hub: RightsUp #RightNow – When Human Rights Are Not Enough: Defending the Rights of Nature

Human rights to a healthy environment are gaining recognition – and today, the rights of nature are growing as well. Here, CELDF’s Mari Margil speaks to how recognizing ecosystem rights is central to tackling environmental degradation.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Apr 5, 2018

Press Release: Colombia Supreme Court Rules that Amazon Region is “Subject of Rights”

Press Release: Colombia Supreme Court Rules that Amazon Region is “Subject of Rights”

In the growing recognition of ecosystem rights around the world, today the Colombia Supreme Court of Justice ruled that the Amazon region in Colombia possesses rights.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Apr 5, 2018

The Progressive: Poll: Voters Want Local Control, Not State Takeovers

The Progressive: Poll: Voters Want Local Control, Not State Takeovers

State preemption is growing, community members across the U.S. disapprove, and no liberal or conservative political party is coming in to save the day. Instead, people are beginning to take matters into their own hands.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 31, 2018

The Guardian: It’s only natural: the push to give rivers, mountains and forests legal rights

The Guardian: It’s only natural: the push to give rivers, mountains and forests legal rights

First initiated with CELDF in the U.S. in 2006, today our Rights of Nature is global. Here, its growing recognition in Australia to protect rivers and indigenous peoples.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 28, 2018

The Register-Guard: Judge’s ruling on spraying initiative thwarts people’s will

The Register-Guard: Judge’s ruling on spraying initiative thwarts people’s will

A circuit court judge renders meaningless the right to citizen initiative in Lane County, OR. Here’s how, why, and a call for the people to change our legal structure.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 27, 2018

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

CELDF, OHCRN, and Ohio communities grieve the loss of Dick McGinn, and celebrate his life and contributions. He was a passionate leader in growing Community Rights in Ohio.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 20, 2018

Jefferson Public Radio: Oregonian Wins Award For Opposition To Pesticides

Jefferson Public Radio: Oregonian Wins Award For Opposition To Pesticides

Carol Van Strum has dedicated her life to fighting pesticides. Here an interview with Van Strum and CELDF’s Kai Huschke on pesticides, Community Rights, and protecting our communities from corporate harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 20, 2018

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking group’s attorney sends letter to Lafayette over possible legal action

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking group’s attorney sends letter to Lafayette over possible legal action

Lafayette, CO, residents are unrelenting in their determination to protect their community from fracking harms. At City Council, they insist on enforcement of their Climate Bill of Rights and urge adoption of a non-violent direct action amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2018

Broadway World: Core Dance To Participate In National Water Dance

Broadway World: Core Dance To Participate In National Water Dance

Integrating art with the environmental movement, the 2018 National Water Dance will take place across the U.S. on April 14th. Core Dance is partnering with CELDF and other organizations to build alliances and protect water.

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

Mar 19, 2018

Press Release: Mahoning Board of Elections Defies Supreme Court

Press Release: Mahoning Board of Elections Defies Supreme Court

The Mahoning County, OH, Board of Elections blocks a duly qualified Community Bill of Rights initiative from the ballot in Youngstown. CELDF assists residents to file a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 19, 2018

Daily Camera: Lafayette may again consider legalizing anti-fracking civil disobedience

Daily Camera: Lafayette may again consider legalizing anti-fracking civil disobedience

Community members in Lafayette, CO, rally behind an amendment to their Climate Bill of Rights that would legalize non-violent civil disobedience if necessary to stop fracking harms.

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

Mar 16, 2018

Press Release: Historic Vote on Community Rights State Constitutional Amendment in NH Legislature

Press Release: Historic Vote on Community Rights State Constitutional Amendment in NH Legislature

The New Hampshire legislature takes an historic vote on the first Community Rights state constitutional amendment considered by a state legislature.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Mar 14, 2018

Mongabay: Carol Van Strum, crusader against Agent Orange, wins prestigious environmental award

Mongabay: Carol Van Strum, crusader against Agent Orange, wins prestigious environmental award

Carol Van Strum, Community Rights advocate and long time activist, receives the international David Brower Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding environmental and social justice work.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 14, 2018

Blog: The NRA, Gun Violence, and Ceiling Preemption

Blog: The NRA, Gun Violence, and Ceiling Preemption

Communities can’t adopt the gun laws they believe would best protect their health, safety, and welfare. Here’s why – and what communities can do about it.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 9, 2018

Lane County, OR, residents vow to appeal decision blocking their rights-based initiative

Lane County, OR, residents vow to appeal decision blocking their rights-based initiative

See this story in The Register-Guard on Lane County, OR, residents fighting to protect themselves from aerially sprayed herbicides.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 8, 2018

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

An Athens County, OH, community member makes it clear: The people of Athens aren’t giving up their rights to govern themselves and protect their community from fracking wastewater, regardless of what the state says.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 6, 2018

The Monroe Monitor: Organizations rallying opposition to annual aerial spraying of pesticides in the Sky Valley region

The Monroe Monitor: Organizations rallying opposition to annual aerial spraying of pesticides in the Sky Valley region

Snohomish County, WA, residents partner with CELDF to assert their democratic rights and stop aerial sprayed pesticides.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 5, 2018

Daily Camera: Lafayette’s oil, gas forum ‘day one in the real resistance,’ activists say

Daily Camera: Lafayette’s oil, gas forum ‘day one in the real resistance,’ activists say

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey speaks to an overflowing crowd in Lafayette, CO, on defending their Climate Bill of Rights. The City’s ordinance bans fracking as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 1, 2018

The Laconia Daily Sun: Perhaps Northern Pass is falling to our fatigue, but my generation has had enough, we’re done; vote yes on CRBO in Ashland

The Laconia Daily Sun: Perhaps Northern Pass is falling to our fatigue, but my generation has had enough, we’re done; vote yes on CRBO in Ashland

This powerful letter-to-the-editor by an Ashland, NH, resident, is what builds a people’s movement.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 1, 2018

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

Denied their right to vote by the Athens County Board of Elections in Ohio, county residents make their case today in the 4th district court of appeals. Residents qualified a rights-based county charter initiative in 2017 that banned fracking activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 28, 2018

Press Release: International Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Oregon Community Rights, Rights of Nature Advocate

Press Release: International Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Oregon Community Rights, Rights of Nature Advocate

Community Rights supporter Carol Van Strum receives the International Lifetime Achievement Award Presented at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, OR.

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

Feb 25, 2018

Blog: Black History Month, White Supremacy, and Community Rights

Blog: Black History Month, White Supremacy, and Community Rights

CELDF’s Tish O’Dell shares discoveries of her own white privilege when fracking came into her community – and how Dr. Martin Luther King and Black Lives Matter inform her work with communities today

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Feb 23, 2018

Fosters.com: To the Editor: Let the people vote on CACR19

Fosters.com: To the Editor: Let the people vote on CACR19

With bi-partisan support, the New Hampshire House Municipal & County Government committee will vote how to recommend the Community Rights state constitutional amendment CACR19 to the full House next week.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 19, 2018

Press Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Backed by Legislative Subcommittee

Press Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Backed by Legislative Subcommittee

The people’s Community Rights state constitutional amendment moves ahead with the support of a New Hampshire legislative subcommittee.

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

Feb 13, 2018

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich supports Community Rights state constitutional amendment

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich supports Community Rights state constitutional amendment

Columbus Free Press covers Ohio’s Dennis Kucinich and his support for a Community Rights state constitutional amendment.

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

Feb 11, 2018

The Register-Guard: Rural residents in Lane County fight spraying of herbicides by helicopters

The Register-Guard: Rural residents in Lane County fight spraying of herbicides by helicopters

Community members advance community rights in Lane County, OR, fighting for their health and safety against the timber industry’s use of pesticides.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 8, 2018

In These Times: The Community Rights Movement to the New Hampshire House: Let the People Decide What’s Best

In These Times: The Community Rights Movement to the New Hampshire House: Let the People Decide What’s Best

Taking steps to assert decision-making authority over their own communities, New Hampshire residents work with the CELDF and NHCRN to advance a rights-based state constitutional amendment.

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

Feb 6, 2018

New Hampshire Public Radio: Local Governance Advocates Try Again To Amend State Constitution

New Hampshire Public Radio: Local Governance Advocates Try Again To Amend State Constitution

New Hampshire supporters of a community rights state constitutional amendment urge the legislative committee to advance the amendment to the House.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 5, 2018

Blog: Think Globally, Enact Locally

Blog: Think Globally, Enact Locally

“Local control” today means seizing our local governments and enacting laws to protect our communities and the future of the planet.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Feb 5, 2018

Think Progress: The new legal threat to environmental attorneys: Sanctions from judges and attorneys general

Think Progress: The new legal threat to environmental attorneys: Sanctions from judges and attorneys general

From ThinkProgress on the efforts of the oil and gas industry to stop Community Rights and Rights of Nature, the courageous communities who refuse to fold, and the growing momentum of this new legal paradigm.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots