Success Story Archives - Page 3 of 4

Jan 31, 2018

New Hampshire Rep. Ellen Read on adopting a Community Rights state constitutional amendment

As the New Hampshire Community Rights state constitutional amendment moves forward to a legislative committee, Representative Ellen Read voices her support for the amendment. Listen here.

Jan 31, 2018

Union Leader: Plymouth residents take aim at Northern Pass with new ordinance

Facing a massive electrical power corridor cutting through New Hampshire, the people of Plymouth ban the project in their Town using Community Rights. Next step: a statewide amendment codifying Community Rights in the NH constitution.

Jan 24, 2018

In These Times: Does the Natural World Needs Its Own Bill of Rights?

Environmental regulations aren’t doing much for the environment – but recognizing nature’s rights is.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Jan 23, 2018

Press Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Advances to Public Committee Hearing

New Hampshire residents and the NHCRN advance a Community Rights state constitutional amendment to the legislative committee hearing.

Dec 7, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Ballot Board Approves Community Rights State Constitutional Amendments

Two Community Rights state constitutional amendments advance in Ohio, meeting Ballot Board requirements for single subject. Residents are launching their signature gathering campaign.

Dec 4, 2017

A Win for People’s Democratic Rights in the Ohio Supreme Court

For three years, Ohio government and the oil and gas industry have tried to quash Community Rights. This year, communities have come back stronger than ever, and with a win in the Ohio Supreme Court.

US News: Ohio Activists Push Amendments to Restore Community Rights

Communities across the country are rising up as corporate threats grow – including Ohio, where residents are advancing rights-based state constitutional amendments elevating Community Rights over corporate “rights.”

Nov 28, 2017

The Athens News: Rights groups hope to achieve goals by altering state law

Coming up against state preemption and corporate “rights,” Ohio residents say “no more!” They are working with CELDF to advance two state constitutional amendments that protect community and nature’s rights.

Nov 28, 2017

Cleveland.com: Ohio local governance amendments certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine

Ohio residents meet first hurdle in advancing two rights-based state constitutional amendments, drafted with CELDF and the Ohio Community Rights Network.

Nov 17, 2017

Press Release: Ohio Residents Fight for Rights: Submit State Constitutional Amendments to Guarantee Right to Local Self-Government

Today, residents take action to protect democratic and environmental rights in Ohio, submitting two state constitutional amendments to the Ohio Attorney General.

Nov 14, 2017

Press Release: As Part of Growing Community Rights Movement, New Hampshire Legislators Consider State Constitutional Amendment

The NH Community Rights Network and residents successfully introduce a rights-based state constitutional amendment to the NH legislature with Representative Ellen Read as a sponsor.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Oct 19, 2017

Sentinel-Tribune: Ohio Supreme Court denies effort to keep BG charter amendment off ballot

The people prevail! An attempt to keep Bowling Green, OH, residents from voting on their Right to Climate ballot initiative falls flat before the Ohio Supreme Court.

Oct 13, 2017

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

The Current interviews attorney Jason Flores-Williams on his work with Deep Green Resistance to recognize the rights of the Colorado River. DGR filed a federal lawsuit filed last month.

Sep 28, 2017

Boulder Weekly: Rights of nature lawsuit seeks personhood for the Colorado River

In a groundbreaking lawsuit, the rights of nature is used as a new legal paradigm to protect the Colorado River.

Sep 26, 2017

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

Today, the Colorado River files in federal court for recognition of its rights to exist and flourish, as global warming and human consumption threaten its very survival.

Sep 26, 2017

New York Times: Corporations have rights. Why Not Rivers?

A federal lawsuit asserting the rights of the Colorado River challenges conventional legal doctrines in the U.S.

Sep 7, 2017

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition cleared to appear on BG ballot

The Wood County, OH, Board of Elections supports Bowling Green residents’ right to vote, placing the people’s right to climate initiative on the November ballot.

Sep 6, 2017

Sentinel-Tribune: Bowling Green charter amendment will appear on November ballot

Bowling Green, OH, residents’ community rights citizen initiative to codify a right to climate advances to the November ballot.

Jul 9, 2017

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?

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

Jun 19, 2017

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.

Jun 16, 2017

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.

May 31, 2017

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.

May 31, 2017

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.

May 17, 2017

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.

May 4, 2017

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.

May 3, 2017

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.

Apr 25, 2017

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.

Apr 19, 2017

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.

Apr 8, 2017

The Christian Science Monitor: An Indian court says glaciers and rivers are ‘living entities.’ Could the same approach work in the US?

From India, Ecuador, and Bolivia, to communities in the U.S., growing numbers of people are advancing nature’s rights and protecting ecosystems.

Apr 5, 2017

PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado

Lafayette, CO, is the first community in the state to adopt a right to climate ordinance, recognizing the right of residents to a healthy climate.

Apr 3, 2017

PR: India Court Declares “Personhood” of Glaciers and Ecosystems

The High Court of Uttarakhand at Naintal in northern India issues a ruling declaring that glaciers and ecosystems have the rights of persons.

Mar 24, 2017

PR: India Court Declares Personhood for Ganga and Yumana Rivers

This week the High Court of Uttarakhand, a state in India, recognized the personhood rights of the River Ganga and River Yumana – a step towards recognizing the rights of nature to exist and flourish.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Mar 22, 2017

PR: First in Ohio Ballot Initiative: Right to a Healthy Climate in Bowling Green

Bowling Green, OH, students and residents join together to advance a Community Rights Charter Amendment for the November ballot. The measure would establish a right climate – the first measure of its kind in the state.

Mar 9, 2017

CCBOR Media Release: Columbus Water Protectors Deliver Anti-Fracking Petitions to City Hall

Columbus, OH, residents to deliver more than 10,000 signatures to City Hall on Friday. Residents are working to place a Community Bill of Rights banning toxic fracking waste on the November ballot.

Jan 5, 2017

Community Rights Lane County Receives 2016 Community Service Award

Community Rights Lane County is the recipient of the Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network (ESSN) 2016 Community Service Award for their “faithful and dedicated service in the fight against injustice.” Congratulations!

Dec 9, 2016

Yes! Magazine: A Last Resort That Might Work: Small Town Votes In Community Bill of Rights to Ban Fracking

The story of Waterville, OH, residents, taking their health and safety into their own hands, and banning Spectra Energy’s Nexus pipeline as a violation of rights.

Dec 6, 2016

Sentinel-Tribune: By unanimous vote, BG council rejects easement for Nexus pipeline project

A huge crowd of residents from Bowling Green and beyond gather to show their overwhelming support of City Council members to vote against an easement for the Nexus pipeline. Council did so unanimously.

Nov 8, 2016

PR: Highland Township Bans Injection Wells, Rebukes Corporate Rule

Highland Township, PA, voters step up their fight to protect themselves from a frack wastewater injection well, adopting a rights-based Home Rule Charter banning the well, 55% to 45%.

Nov 8, 2016

PR: Waterville Residents Ban Pipelines and Compressor Stations through Adopting Community Bill of Rights

Waterville, OH, residents make clear the Nexus pipeline and compressor station will not cut through their community, overwhelmingly adopting a Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment banning fracking related activities.

Oct 4, 2016

In These Times: Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin Becomes First to Add Rights of Nature to Tribal Constitution

Recognizing the Rights of Nature in law is a growing strategy used by indigenous and non-indigenous communities across the U.S. and internationally to protect communities from environmental harm. The Ho-Chunk Nation is the first tribal nation to vote on amending their constitution with the Rights of Nature.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Sep 18, 2016

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.

Jun 30, 2016

Press Release: Ohioans Determined to Stop Fracking through Asserting Rights

Last summer, the corporate state led efforts to keep Ohioans from voting on fracking bans. Ohio communities are back in action, refusing to be deterred, and committed to protecting their communities. Five ballot measures are submitted this week for November.

Apr 26, 2016

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.

Mar 14, 2016

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.

Mar 11, 2016

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.

Mar 8, 2016

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.

Dec 2, 2015

Two Landslide Wins in PA

In November, both Grant Township and West Chester Borough, PA, residents adopt community rights measures to assert their authority for self-determination and to protect themselves from fracking activities.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Dec 2, 2015

CELDF Celebrates 20 Years!

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund turns 20 years old! What began as a mission to help communities fight permits has evolved into a Community Rights Movement for people and nature.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Nov 4, 2015

Press Release: West Chester, PA, Voters Adopt Community Rights Charter Amendment Banning Fracking Wastewater, Pipelines, and Drilling

The people of West Chester, PA, vote overwhelmingly to assert their community rights and ban fracking activities from their borough. They join dozens of other communities across the state – and the country – who are standing up for their rights.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story

Book: ‘Death by Democracy’

CELDF's Proposed Rights of Nature Principles

2023 Year-end Newsletter: Living with Nature

New Hampshire Rep. Ellen Read on adopting a Community Rights state constitutional amendment

Union Leader: Plymouth residents take aim at Northern Pass with new ordinance

In These Times: Does the Natural World Needs Its Own Bill of Rights?

Press Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Advances to Public Committee Hearing

Press Release: Ohio Ballot Board Approves Community Rights State Constitutional Amendments

A Win for People’s Democratic Rights in the Ohio Supreme Court

US News: Ohio Activists Push Amendments to Restore Community Rights

The Athens News: Rights groups hope to achieve goals by altering state law

Cleveland.com: Ohio local governance amendments certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine

Press Release: Ohio Residents Fight for Rights: Submit State Constitutional Amendments to Guarantee Right to Local Self-Government

Press Release: As Part of Growing Community Rights Movement, New Hampshire Legislators Consider State Constitutional Amendment

Sentinel-Tribune: Ohio Supreme Court denies effort to keep BG charter amendment off ballot

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

Boulder Weekly: Rights of nature lawsuit seeks personhood for the Colorado River

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

New York Times: Corporations have rights. Why Not Rivers?

BG Independent News: Pipeline petition cleared to appear on BG ballot

Sentinel-Tribune: Bowling Green charter amendment will appear on November ballot

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

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

Scientific American: Rivers Get Human Rights: They Can Sue to Protect Themselves

Fosters.com: Community Rights Ordinance saved Nottingham’s water

Press Release: Lincoln County, OR, Adopts First-in-Nation Ban of Aerial Pesticide Spray

KBOO: Lincoln County Aerial Spray Ban Passes

Press Release: Lincoln Co., OR: On Verge of First in Nation Citizen Initiative to Ban Aerial Spray Pesticides

Press Release: Colombia Constitutional Court Finds Atrato River Possesses Rights

El Heraldo: Rights of Nature granted to the Atrato River in Colombia

Press Release: Oregon’s Right of Local Self-Government Vindicated

Earth Island Journal: When Rivers Hold Legal Rights

The Christian Science Monitor: An Indian court says glaciers and rivers are ‘living entities.’ Could the same approach work in the US?

PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado

PR: India Court Declares “Personhood” of Glaciers and Ecosystems

PR: India Court Declares Personhood for Ganga and Yumana Rivers

PR: First in Ohio Ballot Initiative: Right to a Healthy Climate in Bowling Green

CCBOR Media Release: Columbus Water Protectors Deliver Anti-Fracking Petitions to City Hall

Community Rights Lane County Receives 2016 Community Service Award

Yes! Magazine: A Last Resort That Might Work: Small Town Votes In Community Bill of Rights to Ban Fracking

Sentinel-Tribune: By unanimous vote, BG council rejects easement for Nexus pipeline project

PR: Highland Township Bans Injection Wells, Rebukes Corporate Rule

PR: Waterville Residents Ban Pipelines and Compressor Stations through Adopting Community Bill of Rights

In These Times: Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin Becomes First to Add Rights of Nature to Tribal Constitution

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

Press Release: Ohioans Determined to Stop Fracking through Asserting Rights

Press Release: Highland Township Votes “Yes”to Consider Home Rule

Concord Monitor: Barnstead voters pass community bill of rights barring future religious identification

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

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

Two Landslide Wins in PA

CELDF Celebrates 20 Years!

Press Release: West Chester, PA, Voters Adopt Community Rights Charter Amendment Banning Fracking Wastewater, Pipelines, and Drilling

Support just, fair, and sustainable communities