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Sep 18, 2016

Press Release: Ho-Chunk Nation General Council Approves Rights of Nature Constitutional Amendment

Press Release: Ho-Chunk Nation General Council Approves Rights of Nature Constitutional Amendment

The General Council of the Ho-Chunk Nation votes overwhelmingly to amend their tribal constitution to enshrine the Rights of Nature – the first tribal nation in the United States to take this critical step. A vote of the full membership will follow.

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

Sep 17, 2016

Common Dreams: Learning from the Standing Rock Sioux

Common Dreams: Learning from the Standing Rock Sioux

The Standing Rock Sioux have much to teach us: grieving for the loss of land and threat to water, taking action to protect what belongs to no one, being in solidarity, and taking a stand for life.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Sep 16, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Supreme Court derails efforts to put anti-fracking measures on ballots

Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Supreme Court derails efforts to put anti-fracking measures on ballots

Athens, Meigs, and Portage County, OH, residents decry the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision blocking their county charter initiatives from the ballot. Residents face fracking harms and government officials intent on blocking them from protecting themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 15, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule case headed to court

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule case headed to court

Highland Township, PA, residents put the pressure on their supervisors. The local electeds voted yesterday to try to stop the people’s Home Rule charter initiative in the Common Pleas Court. The charter includes a ban on fracking wastewater injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 15, 2016

Energy Wire: Ohio Supreme Court keeps anti-fracking measures off ballot

Energy Wire: Ohio Supreme Court keeps anti-fracking measures off ballot

While the Ohio Supreme Court blocks the right to initiative in three counties, one judge dissents, calling the court’s action “a usurpation of power from the people that we should not indulge.” Residents declare their commitment to protect their communities’ land, air, and water from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 15, 2016

The Athens News: Supreme Court flushes county charters yet again

The Athens News: Supreme Court flushes county charters yet again

Residents in three Ohio counties find no justice in the courts as the state and oil/gas industry succeed in blocking their County Charter initiatives from the ballot this fall.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 14, 2016

Columbus Free Press: Ohio residents stand with Standing Rock, protest Nexus pipeline

Columbus Free Press: Ohio residents stand with Standing Rock, protest Nexus pipeline

OHCRN members from across Ohio staged street theater and spoke out in support of the Standing Rock Sioux in front of the state house. Residents are fighting fracking, pipelines, and other infrastructure, to protect air, land, and water, as the corporate state tries to block them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 14, 2016

Fosters.com: Why we must amend the NH Constitution

Fosters.com: Why we must amend the NH Constitution

We live under a corporate state, and in New Hampshire, residents urge their legislature to help lead systemic change by supporting the New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment: Let Granite Staters vote on their amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Supreme Court says no to Athens County charter proposal

The Athens Messenger: Supreme Court says no to Athens County charter proposal

The Ohio Supreme Court refuses to place Athens, Meigs, and Portage Counties’ rights-based Charters on the November ballot. County residents are working to protect their communities from fracking and its infrastructure through their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

Press Release: Right to Initiative Rendered Dead by Ohio Supreme Court

Press Release: Right to Initiative Rendered Dead by Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court finds on behalf of the oil and gas industry and the colluding state government. The people’s duly qualified rights-based county charter measures are again blocked from the ballot. One Justice dissents, defending the right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Sep 13, 2016

Blog: Ganga’s Rights are Our Rights

Blog: Ganga’s Rights are Our Rights

CELDF is partnering with local groups and NGOs in India to advance the rights of the Ganges River through the National Ganga River Rights Act.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Home Rule Charter moves forward, for now, after ruling

The Bradford Era: Highland Home Rule Charter moves forward, for now, after ruling

Highland Township, PA’s, residents move a step closer to voting on their own Home Rule Charter proposal in November. Their solicitors are trying to block the measure. Residents are fighting a frack waste injection well, using their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

Courier Express: Highland Township home rule question voted to ballot

Courier Express: Highland Township home rule question voted to ballot

The Elk County, PA, Board of Elections is advised to place the people’s proposed Home Rule Charter measure on the November ballot. Residents face a frack wastewater injection well, which would be banned if the Charter is adopted.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

WFMJ.com: Leaders oppose sixth attempt to pass Youngstown ‘Community Bill of Rights’

WFMJ.com: Leaders oppose sixth attempt to pass Youngstown ‘Community Bill of Rights’

Youngstown, OH, residents advance their Community Rights Charter Amendment banning fracking, determined to safeguard their community’s health, safety, and welfare. Local government and industry allies stand firm in fighting the amendment and placing profits before people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 13, 2016

Energy Wire: ‘Rights of nature’ heads back to federal court

Energy Wire: ‘Rights of nature’ heads back to federal court

Highland Township, PA, residents work with CELDF to push for the recognition of the Rights of Nature in the 3rd Circuit Court.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 12, 2016

WeAreCentralPA.com: Home Rule Charter Heads to Ballot

WeAreCentralPA.com: Home Rule Charter Heads to Ballot

Board of Elections sides with residents as Highland Township, PA, supervisors try to keep the people’s Home Rule Charter initiative off the ballot. Residents are fighting a frack wastewater injection well through their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 9, 2016

The Bradford Era: Challenge issued to Highland Township Home Rule

The Bradford Era: Challenge issued to Highland Township Home Rule

After rescinding an ordinance banning frack wastewater injection wells, Highland Township, PA, supervisors and solicitor further betray residents fighting to protect themselves: they attempt to remove the people’s rights-based Home Rule charter from the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 6, 2016

The Baffler: Who Speaks for the Trees?

The Baffler: Who Speaks for the Trees?

Recognizing Rights of Nature is part of the growing discourse on the rights of ecosystems to exist and thrive, based on their own intrinsic value. Under a legal system where property rules, it is a game changer, used by communities like Grant Township, PA, to protect themselves from corporate harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 6, 2016

Truthout: Corporate Suppression of Direct Democracy Fuels Fight for Community Rights

Truthout: Corporate Suppression of Direct Democracy Fuels Fight for Community Rights

Across the U.S., corporations and government officials are working to block We the People from exercising our right to direct democracy. As their efforts increase, so do ours, making possible the beginning of the Community Rights Movement, and the end of the corporate state.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 2, 2016

Business Standard: Religious leaders submit proposal to govt to protect Ganga

Business Standard: Religious leaders submit proposal to govt to protect Ganga

In India, more than two dozen religious leaders urge adoption of Rights of Nature legislation to recognize the rights of the Ganga River. Millions of people rely on the Ganga, which is heavily polluted. If adopted, the legislation would protect and restore the sacred river.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Sep 1, 2016

EugeneWeekly.com: County Calls a Temporary Halt to Controversial Changes to Petition Process

EugeneWeekly.com: County Calls a Temporary Halt to Controversial Changes to Petition Process

Lane County, OR, residents succeed in pressuring County Commissioners to drop a proposed ordinance that would have allowed Commissioners to block proposed ballot initiatives.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 1, 2016

The Athens News: Ohio Supreme Court receives arguments over charter proposal

The Athens News: Ohio Supreme Court receives arguments over charter proposal

Three Ohio counties submit their case to the Ohio Supreme Court: the right to local community self-government is protected in federal and state constitutions, and their rights-based Charter initiatives should be placed on the November ballot for a vote by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 1, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Charter supporters ask Ohio Supreme Court to change its prior ruling

The Athens Messenger: Charter supporters ask Ohio Supreme Court to change its prior ruling

Athens, Meigs, and Portage County, OH, residents make their case for their constitutional right to vote on qualified County Charter initiatives this fall. The measures include bans on fracking activities. County Boards of Elections and Secretary of State Husted are blocking the measures.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 31, 2016

The Register-Guard: Lane County commissioners reverse course, put off discussion of ordinance that could have allowed veto of ballot initiatives

The Register-Guard: Lane County commissioners reverse course, put off discussion of ordinance that could have allowed veto of ballot initiatives

Lane County, OR, commissioners withdraw their support for an ordinance that would have allowed them to pre-emptively veto some local ballot initiatives. Lane County residents are advancing three Community Rights measures, one banning aerial pesticide spraying.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 30, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township commission OKs putting charter on ballot

The Bradford Era: Highland Township commission OKs putting charter on ballot

The Highland Township, PA, Home Rule Study Commission votes to advance a rights-based charter for the November ballot. The charter includes a frack wastewater injection well ban, similar to a Community Bill of Rights banning injection wells that was rescinded by supervisors.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 27, 2016

The Register-Guard: Lane County process for approving local ballot initiatives draws two threats of lawsuits

The Register-Guard: Lane County process for approving local ballot initiatives draws two threats of lawsuits

Increasingly contentious and obscure means to keep Lane County, OR, Community Bills of Rights ordinances off the ballot are being used by opponents. Lane residents are fighting to protect themselves from aerial pesticide spraying.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 20, 2016

Desmog Blog: Ohio Residents Clash With State and County Government in Fight to Ban Fracking via the Ballot

Desmog Blog: Ohio Residents Clash With State and County Government in Fight to Ban Fracking via the Ballot

The right to local democratic self-governance becomes a political debate as Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, county boards of elections, and the oil and gas industry block citizen initiatives banning fracking. Ohio residents refuse to surrender their fight for their rights or their communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 19, 2016

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Sides with Oil/Gas Industry Again Over Community Rights

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Sides with Oil/Gas Industry Again Over Community Rights

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted demonstrates his loyalty to the oil and gas industry by trying to block citizen initiatives. The initiatives propose county charters that ban fracking activities. Residents are fighting back, appealing Husted’s decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 19, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. residents want to recreate controversial ‘bill of rights’

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. residents want to recreate controversial ‘bill of rights’

Highland Township, PA, residents turn to themselves to protect against unwanted fracking wastewater. Township Supervisors rescinded a Community Bill of Rights banning an injection well. Residents now consider home rule to ban the harmful waste.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 18, 2016

Record Courier: LTE: Husted in conflict on county charter issue

Record Courier: LTE: Husted in conflict on county charter issue

A Portage County resident applauds the advancing a county charter proposal that would ban frack injection wells, and calls out Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted as he tries to quash the right to initiative for a second year. We the People, she promises, are going to continue fighting.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 16, 2016

The Bradford Era: Case closed: Seneca Resources can move forward with Highland Twp. injection well

The Bradford Era: Case closed: Seneca Resources can move forward with Highland Twp. injection well

Highland Township, PA, supervisors folded to Seneca Resources, rescinding the people’s Community Bill of Rights ordinance protecting them from Seneca’s proposed wastewater injection well. Residents have not. They are continuing their legal fight and looking to Home Rule.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 15, 2016

Press Release: Democracy Ruled Dead in Highland Township

Press Release: Democracy Ruled Dead in Highland Township

Highland Township Supervisors overturn their rights-based fracking wastewater injection well ban. They file a consent decree to allow an injection well, and receive approval by a federal judge. Residents vow to fight back and protect their community.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 11, 2016

Press Release: Grant Township Wins Key Motions in Fight for Civil and Environmental Rights

Press Release: Grant Township Wins Key Motions in Fight for Civil and Environmental Rights

Grant Township, PA, residents and the Little Mahoning Watershed secure wins in motions filed recently by CELDF. Residents are fighting for their rights against PGE as the company tries to force a frack wastewater injection well in the Township.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 10, 2016

The Gazette: Backers of Medina County charter suing Secretary of State Husted

The Gazette: Backers of Medina County charter suing Secretary of State Husted

Medina County, OH, residents take the Ohio Secretary of State and their Board of Elections to court. Government officials are attempting to block residents from placing their qualified county charter initiative banning fracking on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 9, 2016

Press Release: Secretary of State & Medina County Block Community’s Right to Vote

Press Release: Secretary of State & Medina County Block Community’s Right to Vote

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted blocks Medina County residents from voting on their own County Charter initiative. Residents are filing with the Ohio Supreme Court to have their measure placed on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 8, 2016

Law and Disorder Radio: Civil Disobedience Ordinance and Home Rule In Grant Township, PA

Law and Disorder Radio: Civil Disobedience Ordinance and Home Rule In Grant Township, PA

CELDF’s Chad Nicholson and Grant Township resident Stacy Long are interviewed on Law and Disorder radio. Grant residents adopted an ordinance legalizing civil disobedience to protect themselves from an injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 7, 2016

Cleveland.com: Keeping workers in poverty is neither just nor moral

Cleveland.com: Keeping workers in poverty is neither just nor moral

From the Ohio Community Rights Network, Tish O’Dell takes a stand for increasing minimum wage to lift workers out of poverty, calling for the Cleveland City Council to let the people decide by placing the $15 minimum wage proposal on the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 7, 2016

The Athens Messenger: Husted opens charter dispute to outside parties

The Athens Messenger: Husted opens charter dispute to outside parties

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted – an oil and gas industry ally – will decide whether or not to place three rights-based county charter measures on the November ballot. Residents are prepared to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 2, 2016

Fusion: This environmental nightmare is ‘raping’ towns, and citizens have one last chance to stop it

Fusion: This environmental nightmare is ‘raping’ towns, and citizens have one last chance to stop it

As fracking sweeps the nation, communities are using local initiatives to protect themselves – while industry spews propaganda and spends huge sums to stop them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 1, 2016

Yes! Magazine: Two Towns Battle Colorado for Freedom to Ban Fracking

Yes! Magazine: Two Towns Battle Colorado for Freedom to Ban Fracking

Growing numbers of communities are joining together to move Community Rights to the state level–not just to protect against fracking, but myriad other harms facing We the People in Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, and beyond.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 31, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. slates home rule hearing for Sunday

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. slates home rule hearing for Sunday

The Home Rule Study Commission in Highland Township, PA, is holding a public hearing Sunday. The commissioners may recommend drafting a charter to govern the Township, and would seek input from residents on content. The Charter will likely contain a bill of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 31, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group votes to draft charter

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group votes to draft charter

The Home Rule Study Commission in Highland Township, PA, held a public meeting Sunday to share information about drafting a Home Rule Charter. The Charter, if adopted in November, would recognize and protect the rights of residents to make governing decisions.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 30, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. to possibly rescind bill of rights ordinance

The Bradford Era: Highland Twp. to possibly rescind bill of rights ordinance

Highland Township, PA, Supervisors prepare to betray residents and rescind their rights-based ordinance banning frack wastewater injection wells. Residents, meanwhile, are drafting a Home Ruler charter that would ban injection wells. Such a charter would be beyond the reach of the Supervisors.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 27, 2016

The Register Guard: County commissioners get an earful on ordinance that could limit ballot initiatives

The Register Guard: County commissioners get an earful on ordinance that could limit ballot initiatives

Lane County, OR, residents turn out in high numbers to their County Commissioners meeting, stating clearly their indignation at the Commissioners’ consideration of a law removing direct democracy from the hands of the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 27, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group hears from supervisor

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group hears from supervisor

Highland Township, PA, residents begin drafting a Home Rule Charter. They consult with Grant Township, where last November residents overwhelmingly adopted a new, rights-based charter that included a ban on frack wastewater injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 27, 2016

The Athens News: Charter petition protest skips local court, will go to Ohio Sec. of State

The Athens News: Charter petition protest skips local court, will go to Ohio Sec. of State

Athens County, OH, residents protest the Board of Elections attempt to keep their rights-based County Charter initiative off the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2016

KEZI News: Lane County Residents Outraged by Proposed Change to Initiative System

KEZI News: Lane County Residents Outraged by Proposed Change to Initiative System

Lane County, OR, residents make clear their displeasure with the County Commissioners, who are considering a measure to restrict the people’s access to direct democracy.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2016

WOUB Digital: Athens Charter Group Protests Election Board Decision

WOUB Digital: Athens Charter Group Protests Election Board Decision

Residents of Athens County submit their protest against the County Board of Elections’ refusal to place their duly qualified County Charter on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2016

Blog: 2016 – The Year Democracy Died?

Blog: 2016 – The Year Democracy Died?

While we may expect to see powerbrokers in both major political parties drown out grassroots voices, it’s happening at the local level as well. Local government officials and the judiciary act as corporate allies, killing the right to initiative across the U.S.

Read More | Community Wires

Jul 25, 2016

In These Times: Colorado Community Rights Amendment Builds Largest Campaign to Date, But Falls Short of 2016 Ballot

In These Times: Colorado Community Rights Amendment Builds Largest Campaign to Date, But Falls Short of 2016 Ballot

Coloradans advancing the Colorado Community Rights Amendment set sites on 2018 for the state ballot, and commit to building Community Rights at the local, state, and national levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots