News

Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

Akron Beacon Journal: Petition decision is important

On Monday, the Medina County, OH, Board of Elections is meeting to certify residents’ petition for a Home Rule county charter measure on the ballot. This Medina resident urges citizens to attend and insist on their right to vote on the people’s initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 9, 2017

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

Akron Beacon Journal: Myths about the Nexus pipeline

A resident of Medina County spells out what the problem is with the Nexus pipeline threatening to cut through the county – and what residents can do about it through a rights-based county charter.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 9, 2017

Business Insider: How Pittsburgh embraced a radical environmental movement popping up in conservative towns across America

Business Insider: How Pittsburgh embraced a radical environmental movement popping up in conservative towns across America

Recognizing the rights of nature is a strategy leveraged by communities in partnership with CELDF across the U.S. to protect themselves from fracking harms. The strategy crosses traditional conservative/liberal demarcations.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Jul 7, 2017

Yes! Magazine: A New Zealand River Has Human Rights. Now Will Modern Law Come to Its Senses?

Yes! Magazine: A New Zealand River Has Human Rights. Now Will Modern Law Come to Its Senses?

Rather than being an idea on the fringes, the rights of nature is gaining legal and cultural traction as courts around the world are beginning to recognize rights of rivers.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Jul 7, 2017

Press Release: Oil & Gas Corp. Sues Community, Goes After Lawyers

Press Release: Oil & Gas Corp. Sues Community, Goes After Lawyers

PGE corporation is attempting to force fracking wastewater into Grant Twp, PA. Now they seek sanctions against CELDF attorneys working on behalf of the community.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jul 6, 2017

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Spokane, WA, residents set to make their argument for a right to climate in federal court next week. CELDF filed a lawsuit on behalf of residents against the U.S. government in January.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jun 29, 2017

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

The Athens News: Committee submits anti-fracking charter petitions to county Board of Elections

Athens County, OH, residents submit signatures to place a community rights county charter on the November ballot. The charter bans fracking activities as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 29, 2017

Mountain Xpress: Community rights movement promotes local sovereignty

Mountain Xpress: Community rights movement promotes local sovereignty

Asheville, NC, residents recognize sustainability is illegal under our structure of law and governance – and are taking steps to challenge that structure and create renewable energy systems using Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 29, 2017

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

The Gazette: NEXUS foes try charter again

Facing the Nexus pipeline to transport fracked gas, Medina County, OH, residents turn in petitions to place a rights-based county charter on the ballot. The measure protects environmental and democratic rights, and bans pipelines.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 14, 2017

Orion Magazine: Speaking of Nature

Orion Magazine: Speaking of Nature

Changing our relationship with nature in part means changing our language. It means shifting away from talking about nature as an object, to recognizing nature as alive – and how we are in relationship.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

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

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.

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

May 30, 2017

News Deeply: Three Reasons Why Water Markets May Be Damaging the West’s Rivers

News Deeply: Three Reasons Why Water Markets May Be Damaging the West’s Rivers

Water market approaches are problematic – including keeping us in a commodity framework for ecosystems. Rights of nature, however, is a powerful legal paradigm, and is growing around the world.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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 4, 2017

Blog: Whose Town is It?

Blog: Whose Town is It?

Members of the New Hampshire legislature took advantage of a spring blizzard, attempting to undermine direct democracy.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

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 3, 2017

Blog: The US Constitution Is So 1789. It’s Time for a Serious Overhaul

Blog: The US Constitution Is So 1789. It’s Time for a Serious Overhaul

The 1% drive for a constitutional convention, advancing their own corporate interests. But we don’t need a convention. We need a whole new constitution.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

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.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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