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Aug 14, 2015

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Denies Ohio Citizens their Constitutional Right to Vote

Press Release: Ohio Secretary of State Denies Ohio Citizens their Constitutional Right to Vote

COLUMBUS, OH: The Ohio Secretary of State, Jon Husted, declared that the citizens of Medina, Fulton, and Athens Counties may not vote on their own county charter initiatives, despite meeting requirements to place those initiatives on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 14, 2015

Press Release: People of Spokane to Vote on Worker Bill of Rights

Press Release: People of Spokane to Vote on Worker Bill of Rights

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: Judge Salvatore Cozza from the Spokane County Superior denied a preliminary injunction brought by the Mayor of Spokane to block the vote of a Worker Bill of Rights initiative, which is on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 13, 2015

Secretary of State sides with Athens County charter protest, rejects proposal for November ballot

Secretary of State sides with Athens County charter protest, rejects proposal for November ballot

Community bill of rights in charter proposal would have banned some fracking-related activities

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 13, 2015

Meigs County group sues commissioners on charter initiative

Meigs County group sues commissioners on charter initiative

MEIGS COUNTY, OH: Frustrated by the efforts of the Meigs County Commissioners to keep residents’ community rights county charter initiative off the November ballot, the Meigs County Home Rule Committee (MCHRC) has sued the Commissioners to force the measure on to the ballot. On July 20, they filed a lawsuit in the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Chillicothe, claiming the Commissioners have illegally refused to take action on the measure in order to block a vote by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

August Update: Chomsky, Hedges, Unions Endorse Worker Bill of Rights

August Update: Chomsky, Hedges, Unions Endorse Worker Bill of Rights

Learn the latest news on Spokane, WA’s, Worker Bill of Rights, read Community Rights Paper #5 on Citizens United, and join us for the launching of the Ohio Community Rights Workshop.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

Media Statement: Meigs County Commissioners Resort to Chicanery to Keep County Charter Initiative off the Ballot

Media Statement: Meigs County Commissioners Resort to Chicanery to Keep County Charter Initiative off the Ballot

MEIGS COUNTY, OH: Frustrated by the efforts of the Meigs County Commissioners to keep residents’ community rights county charter initiative off the November ballot, the Meigs County Home Rule Committee (MCHRC) has sued the Commissioners to force the measure on to the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Warren City

Warren City

The Community Rights action in Warren City, Warren County, Pennsylvania has been a dramatic chapter in rights-based organizing. Facing tremendous political opposition from local officials and the gas industry, the charter amendment was soundly defeated, garnering 38% of the vote.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

State College

State College

On November 8, 2011, the residents of State College voted overwhelmingly—72%—to amend their Home Rule Charter to include a Community Bill of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Peters Township Overview

Peters Township Overview

On November 23, 2010 Ellen Mavrich contacted CELDF asking for advice about adopting a community rights ordinance similar to the one enacted by Pittsburgh City Council, in consultation with CELDF, on November 16th. This is their story.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 12, 2015

Inlander: Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

Inlander: Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

CELDF assists Envision Spokane in asking a judge to dismiss efforts to keep the people’s Worker Bill of Rights off the ballot. Spokane, WA’s, mayor filed the lawsuit.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 12, 2015

Allegheny Defense Project: Rural PA Township in the Allegheny National Forest refuses to be bullied by Houston, Texas based oil and gas company Seneca Resources Corporation.

Allegheny Defense Project: Rural PA Township in the Allegheny National Forest refuses to be bullied by Houston, Texas based oil and gas company Seneca Resources Corporation.

Highland Township, PA, supervisors voted last night to defend the people’s Community Bill of Rights banning frack wastewater injection wells. Seneca Resources Corporation claims it has a corporate “right” to inject wastewater in the township, and does not recognize the community’s right to protect their clean water.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 11, 2015

Press Release: Ecosystem, Community Group, and Municipal Authority File for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Community from Injection Well

Press Release: Ecosystem, Community Group, and Municipal Authority File for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Community from Injection Well

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, PA: Today, an ecosystem in the United States filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend its own rights to exist and flourish.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 9, 2015

Ohio Secretary of State to decide on charter protest this week

Ohio Secretary of State to decide on charter protest this week

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office is expected to make a decision by this Thursday on whether a proposed charter government for Athens County will go on the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 5, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: People, not city, should vote on workers’ bill of rights

The Spokesman-Review: People, not city, should vote on workers’ bill of rights

As the City of Spokane sues its own citizens in an attempt to keep a Worker Bill of Rights off the ballot, this opinion piece points out the hypocrisy and the anti-democratic tactics of City Hall.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 3, 2015

Inlander: City of Spokane wants Worker Bill of Rights initiative off ballot, files suit

Inlander: City of Spokane wants Worker Bill of Rights initiative off ballot, files suit

The city of Spokane attempts to keep the people of Spokane from voting on their own Worker Bill of Rights, filing a lawsuit to block the duly qualified initiative from the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 3, 2015

Envision Worker Rights Media Statement: City Files Legal Challenge to Block the Democratic Rights of Voters

Envision Worker Rights Media Statement: City Files Legal Challenge to Block the Democratic Rights of Voters

Despite the constitutional right of Spokane, WA, citizens to vote on their own Worker Bill of Rights, the City of Spokane files suit in an attempt to block the qualified initiative from the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 25, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Workers Bill of Rights proposal qualifies for Spokane ballot

The Spokesman-Review: Workers Bill of Rights proposal qualifies for Spokane ballot

Spokane, WA, residents successfully place a Worker Bill of Rights initiative on the November ballot. The city council is working to place advisory questions on the ballot as well, to deter voters from supporting the measure.

Read More | Community Wires

Jul 24, 2015

The Southern Illinoisan: Anti-fracking group drafting a community bill of rights

The Southern Illinoisan: Anti-fracking group drafting a community bill of rights

Jackson County, IL, residents launch a campaign to advance a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking as a violation of their rights to clean air and water.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 20, 2015

The World: Your View: Kudos from the other end of the LNG pipe

The World: Your View: Kudos from the other end of the LNG pipe

The people of Colorado express esprit de corps with and appreciation of the people of Oregon as both states advance community rights to stop fracking and its infrastructure and make real the promise of democratic self-governance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 3, 2015

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Reclaiming community rights is nothing new

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Reclaiming community rights is nothing new

A New Hampshire Community Rights Network Board member traces Community Rights back to colonial New England, where residents reclaimed those rights from the British Crown in the American Revolution – and where Community Rights are being reclaimed again today.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

May 12, 2015

Dissident Voice: The Future is in the Past: Economics 101 for Spokane

Dissident Voice: The Future is in the Past: Economics 101 for Spokane

An in-depth look at Spokane, WA, its economy, and what sustainable and just would mean to the almost 40,000 people living in poverty. This includes Envision Spokane’s Worker Bill of Rights, aimed for the November 2015 ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 1, 2015

PACRN Statement: Conestoga Township, PA, Resident Unjustly Arrested for Speaking Truth at a Public Meeting

PACRN Statement: Conestoga Township, PA, Resident Unjustly Arrested for Speaking Truth at a Public Meeting

The Pennsylvania Community Rights Network stands by Conestoga Township, PA, resident Kim Kann, who was arrested for speaking truth at a public meeting this week. Kann and other residents are tirelessly pursuing community rights to protect themselves from LNG pipelines, despite local government officials’ hostility.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 25, 2015

Foster’s Daily Democrat: CELDF can help communities

Foster’s Daily Democrat: CELDF can help communities

In a letter-to-the-editor, New Hampshire resident and New Hampshire Community Rights Network member Pamela Martin recognizes CELDF’s work to support communities in protecting their rights over corporate claimed “rights” and government interests.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 23, 2015

Plunderblund: Lethal Injection: One County’s Fight Against Frack Waste Wells And The Need For A Statewide Effort

Plunderblund: Lethal Injection: One County’s Fight Against Frack Waste Wells And The Need For A Statewide Effort

As Athens County, OH, residents are subjected to increasing quantities of fracking wastewater imported into their communities, they are finding no remedy in their state government. It’s time for residents to stand together to protect their health, safety, and welfare.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 1, 2015

In Remembrance of Gail Darrell

In Remembrance of Gail Darrell

It is with great sadness that we share with you the loss of our friend and colleague, Gail Darrell. For nearly a decade, Gail has worked to protect communities across New England from corporate and government interests that sought to override the rights of people, communities, and nature.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 25, 2015

The Kane Republican: Seneca now seeks court injunction against Highland Twp.

The Kane Republican: Seneca now seeks court injunction against Highland Twp.

While Seneca Resources insists it has suffered “irreparable harm” from Highland Township, PA’s, Community Bill of Rights banning fracking injection wells, residents assert they have an inalienable right to protect their water, and continue to back their Supervisors to exercise that right.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 25, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Envision Spokane initiative would add workers’ rights to city charter

The Spokesman-Review: Envision Spokane initiative would add workers’ rights to city charter

Envision Spokane – a community, rights-based organization in Spokane, WA – is advancing a Worker’s Bill of Rights for the November 2015 ballot that would protect workers’ rights to a living wage, equal pay for equal work regardless of gender or race, and other rights for workers.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 20, 2015

Inlander: Envision Spokane files new Worker Bill of Rights initiative

Inlander: Envision Spokane files new Worker Bill of Rights initiative

Envision Spokane advances a CELDF-drafted Worker’s Bill of Rights to protect workers’ rights to a living wage, and three other key provisions.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2015

Windsor Now: Community rights discussion takes root in Windsor

Windsor Now: Community rights discussion takes root in Windsor

Residents of Windsor, CO, work to place a rights-based Charter Amendment on the ballot for a vote by the people, to secure and protect community rights, and ban fracking as a violation of those rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 9, 2015

New Hampshire Public Radio: Newfound Voters Again Weighing Wind Restrictions

New Hampshire Public Radio: Newfound Voters Again Weighing Wind Restrictions

Threatened with industrial wind farms, communities in New Hampshire use Community Bills of Rights to ban the harmful practices. The Town of Alexandria votes this Tuesday at Town Meeting on a second rights-based ordinance to strengthen their ban on unsustainable energy practices.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 2, 2015

Tiny Township Faces Injection Well Lawsuit

Tiny Township Faces Injection Well Lawsuit

Highland Township, PA, residents and Supervisors determine they are protecting their water through their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking injection wells – regardless of any lawsuits.

Read More | Community Wires

Feb 23, 2015

Press Release: Oregon Files Constitutional Amendment to Secure Right to Local, Community Self-Government

Press Release: Oregon Files Constitutional Amendment to Secure Right to Local, Community Self-Government

ORCRN files a proposed state constitutional amendment to secure citizens’ right to local, community self-government, thereby enabling the people to protect themselves from harmful corporate activities, and move towards sustainability.

Read More | Community Wires

Feb 18, 2015

BlogTalkRadio: Soldiers for Peace International: CELDF and Local Democracy with Kai Huschke

BlogTalkRadio: Soldiers for Peace International: CELDF and Local Democracy with Kai Huschke

While corporations are granted growing numbers of “rights” by the courts, local communities are asserting community rights to local self-government, and to clean air, soil, and water – and banning corporate activities that violate those rights. Listen to Rick Staggenborg’s interview with CELDF’s Kai Huschke.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Feb 17, 2015

OHCRN: Kent Law Director Proposes Charter Amendment Granting Him Veto Power over Citizens’ Proposed Initiatives

OHCRN: Kent Law Director Proposes Charter Amendment Granting Him Veto Power over Citizens’ Proposed Initiatives

Kent, OH, law director attempts to preempt citizens’ right to initiative by changing the city’s Charter – giving him the authority to veto proposed initiatives at his discretion.

Read More | Community Wires

Feb 8, 2015

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Barrington citizens add resource protection item to March ballot

Foster’s Daily Democrat: Barrington citizens add resource protection item to March ballot

Barrington, NH, residents bring a Community Bill of Rights initiative to direct democracy at Town Meeting in March. The Barrington community is threatened by water, gravel, and mineral extraction, and is using Community Rights to protect themselves and local ecosystems.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 3, 2015

CELDF Statement: Spokane Initiative Appellate Court Decision

CELDF Statement: Spokane Initiative Appellate Court Decision

In the face of corporations and government joining together to suppress the democratic rights of the people of Spokane, WA, to vote on a Community Bill of Rights, last week the Washington Court of Appeals overturned an earlier ruling and ordered the initiative be placed back on the ballot for a vote of the people.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jan 30, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Court orders initiative vote

The Spokesman-Review: Court orders initiative vote

The Washington State Appellate Court ruled in favor of a Community Rights initiative that had been kept off the ballot by local corporate and government interests, finding that the right of initiative by the people is protected.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 29, 2015

First Voices Radio: Will Falk, Guest for the Full Hour

First Voices Radio: Will Falk, Guest for the Full Hour

Will Falk is a biophilic author, attorney, and activist. He works with the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and his law practice is focused on helping Native American communities protect their sacred sites.

Read More | Multimedia, News from the Grassroots, Rights of Nature

Jan 28, 2015

Huffington Post: ‘Supreme Court Five’ Unleash Government Of, By and For the Oligarchs

Huffington Post: ‘Supreme Court Five’ Unleash Government Of, By and For the Oligarchs

The Supreme Court makes decisions that are benefiting corporations and harming democracy, while communities are working to adopt Community Bills of Rights that codify people’s rights to local self-governance and sustainable communities – banning those corporate activities that violate those rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 25, 2015

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

While ALEC and other pro-corporate entities attempt to decrease worker rights,CELDF partners in Colorado and Spokane, WA, begin working on Community Bills of Rights to protect workers’ rights, building on the “floor” of rights established at the state and federal levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 25, 2015

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

Truthout: ALEC Forces the Question: Will Labor Really Go Local?

While ALEC and other pro-corporate entities attempt to decrease worker rights,CELDF partners in Colorado and Spokane, WA, begin working on Community Bills of Rights to protect workers’ rights, building on the “floor” of rights established at the state and federal levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 7, 2015

E&E Publishing: Speaking for the trees, lawyer pushes unconventional doctrine

E&E Publishing: Speaking for the trees, lawyer pushes unconventional doctrine

While the oil & gas industry protests, CELDF & allies bring forward the Rights of Nature as the basis to give ecosystems legal standing to protect itself. The Little Mahoning Watershed in Grant Township, PA, filed to intervene in a case against Grant’s Community Bill of Rights banning frack wastewater injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 19, 2014

WTAE Pittsburgh: Chronicle: Drilling Down (Part 6: “Whose Land is It?”)

WTAE Pittsburgh: Chronicle: Drilling Down (Part 6: “Whose Land is It?”)

Residents of western Pennsylvania determine to protect their community, families, and the land by banning fracking through Community Bills of Rights, and Rights of Nature conservation easement.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 16, 2014

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Pipeline meeting draws big crowd

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript: Pipeline meeting draws big crowd

Southern New Hampshire communities unite in opposition to a gas pipeline project threatening their Towns, and learn about Community Rights as a means to protect residents and local ecosystems.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 13, 2014

Sentinel & Enterprise: Pipeline no more popular in N.H.

Sentinel & Enterprise: Pipeline no more popular in N.H.

Mason, NH, residents gather to oppose a gas pipeline threatening their community, and learn about CELDF-drafted Community Bills of Rights to stop harmful corporate activities as a violation of Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 19, 2014

Daily Camera: Letter-to-the-Editor: Let the revolution begin

Daily Camera: Letter-to-the-Editor: Let the revolution begin

The idea that advancing and enforcing people’s fundamental rights, while directly challenging the power of corporations and the state to override community rights, is somehow an act of government overthrow says more about our current political/legal system than it does about the Colorado Community Rights Network.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Nov 19, 2014

Truthout: Amending Colorado’s Constitution: Do Communities Have Right to Clean Air and Water?

Truthout: Amending Colorado’s Constitution: Do Communities Have Right to Clean Air and Water?

As voters last week banned fracking in regions from Ohio to Texas to California, Colorado citizens are meanwhile attempting to reclaim their own right to a safe, healthy environment by enacting the Colorado Community Rights amendment to the Colorado Constitution.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 18, 2014

Press Release: First-in-the-Nation Action – Ecosystem Files for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Own Legal Rights to Exist and Flourish

Press Release: First-in-the-Nation Action – Ecosystem Files for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Own Legal Rights to Exist and Flourish

Today, for the first time, an ecosystem in the United States filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit to defend its own right to exist and flourish. The Little Mahoning Watershed and Grant Township, PA, residents come up against the Pennsylvania General Energy Corporation.

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

Nov 13, 2014

Fort Bragg Advocate-News: Fracking ban success surprises supporters

Fort Bragg Advocate-News: Fracking ban success surprises supporters

Mendocino County, CA, residents voting to use Community Rights to ban fracking by an overwhelming majority in the November election, welcome the broader conversation about the recognition of community rights within the county.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots