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May 18, 2016

Guest Blog: Updating EPA Frack Waste Regulations: Let’s Call it What it Is

Guest Blog: Updating EPA Frack Waste Regulations: Let’s Call it What it Is

Guest blogger Tish O’Dell of Broadview Heights, OH, observes that efforts to update frack waste regulations perpetuates harm. It’s time to shift from slowing down the destruction of our communities and ecosystems, to stopping it.

Read More | Community Wires

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 11, 2016

Press Release: Community Rights Ramps Up in Ohio

Press Release: Community Rights Ramps Up in Ohio

Today residents in Meigs County and the City of Waterville, OH, launched their petition campaigns to place rights-based initiatives before voters this November. Residents are organizing to stop fracking projects and protect rights to clean air and water.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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

May 3, 2016

Press Release: Pennsylvania Township Legalizes Civil Disobedience

Press Release: Pennsylvania Township Legalizes Civil Disobedience

Grant Township, PA, residents make history as the first community in the U.S. to legalize nonviolent civil disobedience to protect their community from a fracking wastewater injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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 22, 2016

Tree Media Presents We the People 2.0 – The Second American Revolution

Tree Media Presents We the People 2.0 – The Second American Revolution

Tree Media releases the trailer for the film We the People 2.0, featuring CELDF. Check it out here.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

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 14, 2016

Press Release: Ohio Residents Launch Community Rights Petition Campaigns throughout the State on Primary Day

Press Release: Ohio Residents Launch Community Rights Petition Campaigns throughout the State on Primary Day

Five Ohio counties and cities launch Community Bills of Rights campaigns to protect themselves from fracking activities. Residents are aiming for the November 2016 ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 12, 2016

Press Release: Barnstead, NH, Adopts First-in-the-Nation Law Protects Against Religious Persecution, Including Religious I.D. Requirements

Press Release: Barnstead, NH, Adopts First-in-the-Nation Law Protects Against Religious Persecution, Including Religious I.D. Requirements

Barnstead, NH, residents make history as the first community to adopt a Community Bill of Rights establishing the right to be free from religious identification requirements.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 11, 2016

Press Release: Colorado Supreme Court Rules Local Self-Government State Constitutional Amendment Can Advance to Next Stage Toward Ballot

Press Release: Colorado Supreme Court Rules Local Self-Government State Constitutional Amendment Can Advance to Next Stage Toward Ballot

The Colorado Supreme Court clears the way for residents to advance their Community Rights state constitutional amendment initiative to the November ballot. Oil and gas industry representatives had attempted to keep the measure from being voted on by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, 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 9, 2016

Press Release: “Community Rights” State Constitutional Amendment Supporters Set Sights on 2017

Press Release: “Community Rights” State Constitutional Amendment Supporters Set Sights on 2017

Community Rights supporters in New Hampshire look to 2017 to bring forward their state constitutional amendment securing rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 8, 2016

Press Release: The People of Barrington, NH, Vote in Community Rights at Town Meeting

Press Release: The People of Barrington, NH, Vote in Community Rights at Town Meeting

The people of Barrington, NH, adopt a Community Bill of Rights, asserting their right to clean air, pure water, and local, community self-government. The rights-based ordinance bans corporate gravel extraction and water withdrawals as a violation of those rights.

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

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 29, 2016

Green Party of England and Wales Adopts Rights of Nature Policy: CELDF Assisted in Drafting New Rights-Based Plank

Green Party of England and Wales Adopts Rights of Nature Policy: CELDF Assisted in Drafting New Rights-Based Plank

CELDF assists the Green Party of England and Wales to draft a Rights of Nature policy platform, which was adopted by the Party on Sunday. The policy calls for the recognition of the rights of nature to exist and flourish.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

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 28, 2016

CELDF Statement: Corporations Successful in Blocking Spokane from Voting on Community Bill of Rights

CELDF Statement: Corporations Successful in Blocking Spokane from Voting on Community Bill of Rights

In a move reflective of efforts by the corporate state to quash citizens’ initiatives across the U.S., the Washington Supreme Court recently denied Spokane residents the right to vote on their Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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 27, 2016

In Remembrance of Gail Darrell

In Remembrance of Gail Darrell

Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of our friend, mentor, and colleague, Gail Darrell. We at CELDF join the NHCRN in celebrating her life, mourning her passing, and expressing gratitude for her legacy of service to community and democratic rights.

Read More | Community Wires

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 21, 2016

NH Legislature Holds First-in-Nation Public Hearing on “Community Rights” State Constitutional Amendment

NH Legislature Holds First-in-Nation Public Hearing on “Community Rights” State Constitutional Amendment

For the first time in the U.S., a state legislative committee held a public hearing on a Community Rights state constitutional amendment. Residents from across New Hampshire testified in support of the measure as they face an onslaught of harmful corporate projects in their communities.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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