Ohio

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Feb 21, 2019

CNN: An Ohio city will vote on whether Lake Erie has the same rights as a person

CNN: An Ohio city will vote on whether Lake Erie has the same rights as a person

Government representatives, acting on behalf of industry, have failed to protect Lake Erie. Toledo, Ohio, residents advance a Lake Erie Bill of Rights ballot measure to protect the Lake, their water, and their community. They vote next Tuesday.

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

Feb 19, 2019

The Guardian: Fighting pollution: Toledo residents want personhood status for Lake Erie

The Guardian: Fighting pollution: Toledo residents want personhood status for Lake Erie

While elected officials do nothing substantive to protect Lake Erie, Toledo residents follow in the footsteps of indigenous and other communities, voting next week on a groundbreaking citizen initiative to recognize the rights of the Great Lake.

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

Feb 18, 2019

New York Times: Legal Rights for Lake Erie? Voters in Ohio City Will Decide

New York Times: Legal Rights for Lake Erie? Voters in Ohio City Will Decide

As the well-being of Lake Erie deteriorates, Toledoans are taking action, voting next week on a Lake Erie Bill of Rights citizen initiative. This is part of a growing strategy to recognize the Rights of Nature.

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

Feb 9, 2019

The Daily Sentinel: Meigs BOE among defendants in Civil Rights lawsuit

The Daily Sentinel: Meigs BOE among defendants in Civil Rights lawsuit

Meigs County, Ohio, residents join six other communities in a federal Civil Rights lawsuit. The suit alleges Ohio government officials have routinely blocked valid citizen initiatives from the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 5, 2019

The Gazette: Boards of elections, secretary of state sued over ballot rejections

The Gazette: Boards of elections, secretary of state sued over ballot rejections

Medina County, Ohio, residents are part of a federal Civil Rights lawsuit filed to protect the rights of Ohio citizens to vote on proposed citizen initiatives. The lawsuit was filed after years of state officials blocking community members from the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 4, 2019

21WFMJ: Environmentalists from Youngstown, six counties file federal lawsuit

21WFMJ: Environmentalists from Youngstown, six counties file federal lawsuit

Ohio officials have blocked citizen initiatives advancing communities and nature’s rights since 2015. In response, citizen have filed suit against Ohio’s Secretary of State and local Boards of Elections.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 4, 2019

The Columbus Dispatch: Federal lawsuit seeks to stop elections boards from blocking ballot initiatives

The Columbus Dispatch: Federal lawsuit seeks to stop elections boards from blocking ballot initiatives

Fighting to protect Ohioans’ right to citizen initiative, seven communities partner with CELDF to file a Civil Rights lawsuit in federal court.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 4, 2019

News Release: Ohio Community Members File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

News Release: Ohio Community Members File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

Communities from across Ohio file a federal lawsuit against local Boards of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State for multiple rights violations – including the right to vote.

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

Feb 3, 2019

The Blade: To the editor: Vote for Lake Erie Bill of Rights

The Blade: To the editor: Vote for Lake Erie Bill of Rights

An Ohio resident urges support for the Lake Erie Bill of Rights in Toledo to overcome devastating harms to the Lake’s ecosystem and communities’ drinking water.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 29, 2019

Cleveland.com: Toledoans to vote on Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Cleveland.com: Toledoans to vote on Lake Erie Bill of Rights

“If there’s a problem to be treated, there’s a problem to be solved.” Toledoans take steps to solve the problem of contaminated water in Lake Erie on February 26th’s special election, with their Lake Erie Bill of Rights.

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

Jan 27, 2019

Lake Erie Bill of Rights!

Lake Erie Bill of Rights!

Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) is on the February special elections ballot. Check out news coverage and the growing support for Toledo residents’ pioneering efforts to recognize the Lake’s rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Success Story

Jan 26, 2019

Cleveland.com: The Ohio Supreme Court has rightly affirmed that Toledoans get to vote on a proposed Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Cleveland.com: The Ohio Supreme Court has rightly affirmed that Toledoans get to vote on a proposed Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Cleveland.com editorial board member cheers the Ohio Supreme Court’s recognition of Toledo residents’ right to vote on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights initiative in February.

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

Jan 23, 2019

The Bayou Brief: Red Tides, Green Lakes, Dead Zones: How a Single City Ordinance Could Change It All

The Bayou Brief: Red Tides, Green Lakes, Dead Zones: How a Single City Ordinance Could Change It All

Communities geographically far apart share similar threats to their water from red tides and green algae blooms. They also share looking at Rights of Nature to protect themselves – and Toledo, Ohio, is leading the way.

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

Jan 12, 2019

The Blade: Recognizing the rights of nature

The Blade: Recognizing the rights of nature

CELDF’s Australian partners champion the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, understanding the Great Lake – like the Great Barrier Reef – must be recognized as having the right to exist and flourish. CELDF is working with both groups to advance those rights.

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

Dec 26, 2018

Cleveland Scene: Citizen-Led Ballot Initiative Will Allow Toledo Residents to Vote on ‘Lake Erie Bill of Rights’

Cleveland Scene: Citizen-Led Ballot Initiative Will Allow Toledo Residents to Vote on ‘Lake Erie Bill of Rights’

Overcoming numerous hurdles, Toledo, Ohio, residents will vote on their Lake Erie Bill of Rights in February. The measure recognizes the rights of Lake Erie to exist and flourish – and the right of residents to clean water.

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

Dec 26, 2018

The Blade: Lake Erie Bill of Rights headed to Feb. 26 ballot

The Blade: Lake Erie Bill of Rights headed to Feb. 26 ballot

Toledo, OH, residents celebrate advancing their Lake Erie Bill of Rights citizen initiative to the February 2019 ballot, despite state and industry efforts to stop them.

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

Dec 17, 2018

The Press: Board hearing Thursday: Lake rights bill to be contested

The Press: Board hearing Thursday: Lake rights bill to be contested

Industry allies attempt to keep the Lake Erie Bill of Rights off the ballot, while Toledo community members rally to protect the Lake’s rights and advance the measure.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 16, 2018

The Blade: To the editor: Put Lake Erie “bill of rights” on ballot

The Blade: To the editor: Put Lake Erie “bill of rights” on ballot

In this LTE, Toledo community members call out efforts to block the Lake Erie Bill of Rights from the ballot and urge the Board of Elections to let the people vote.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 29, 2018

13ABC WTVG: Lake Erie Bill of Rights backers call on Toledo City Council to include ordinance in special election

13ABC WTVG: Lake Erie Bill of Rights backers call on Toledo City Council to include ordinance in special election

Toledo, OH, residents press city council to place their Lake Erie Bill of Rights on a special elections ballot in February.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 24, 2018

The Blade: Supporters keep up push to put Lake Erie Bill of Rights on ballot

The Blade: Supporters keep up push to put Lake Erie Bill of Rights on ballot

Toledo, OH, community members are keeping up the pressure on their City Council as they fight to advance a Bill of Rights for Lake Erie.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 12, 2018

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Supreme Court rules to keep anti-fracking initiative off the ballot

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Supreme Court rules to keep anti-fracking initiative off the ballot

Community Rights organizing is growing in Ohio. In response, the state Supreme Court backs efforts to quash democratic rights, keeping a Columbus rights-based citizen initiative banning fracking waste disposal off the November ballot.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Sep 26, 2018

The Progressive: ‘Not Another Flint! Let Us Vote!’

The Progressive: ‘Not Another Flint! Let Us Vote!’

Communities across Ohio are not only fighting to protect their water from corporate harms – they’re fighting for their right to vote on their own initiatives as corporate and state government encroach on fundamental human rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 24, 2018

Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Ignores Rights, Blocks Citizen Initiative Protecting Lake Erie

Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Ignores Rights, Blocks Citizen Initiative Protecting Lake Erie

While Ohio Supreme Court justices ignore democratic and environmental rights, Toledo residents continue to fight for them, and for the rights of Lake Erie.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Sep 19, 2018

WCRS Community Radio Columbus: The Ohio Community Rights Conference & More

WCRS Community Radio Columbus: The Ohio Community Rights Conference & More

Bob Fitrakis and Dan Dougan with Community Radio Columbus interview CELDF’s Tish O’Dell on the upcoming Ohio Community Rights Conference – and the recent Ohio Supreme Court decision keeping Columbus residents’ rights-based citizen initiative off the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 12, 2018

Toledo City Paper: Water Rights: Protecting Lake Erie and our Drinking Water

Toledo City Paper: Water Rights: Protecting Lake Erie and our Drinking Water

Toledoans for Safe Water are determined to protect Lake Erie through their citizen initiative recognizing the rights of the Lake to exist and flourish.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 8, 2018

Columbus Community Bill of Rights: Corporate Lobbyists Attack the People’s Right to Vote on the Columbus Community Bill of Rights Initiative

Columbus Community Bill of Rights: Corporate Lobbyists Attack the People’s Right to Vote on the Columbus Community Bill of Rights Initiative

Corporate lobbyist groups come out in force to argue against the people’s right to initiative in the Ohio Supreme Court. Columbus residents are unwavering in their stand to protect their community.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 31, 2018

The Toledo Blade: Elections board sued in Ohio Supreme Court over Lake Erie Bill of Rights ballot initiative

The Toledo Blade: Elections board sued in Ohio Supreme Court over Lake Erie Bill of Rights ballot initiative

CELDF assists Toledo, OH, residents appeal the Lucas County Board of Elections decision to block their Lake Erie Bill of Rights from the ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 31, 2018

The Columbus Dispatch: Letter: Citizen initiative would be important protection

The Columbus Dispatch: Letter: Citizen initiative would be important protection

In a LTE, a Columbus, OH, resident points out blockage of the people’s Community Bill of Rights citizen initiative banning fracking waste was led by an oil and gas ally on the Board of Elections.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 29, 2018

The Toledo Blade: Board of Elections rejects downtown jail, Lake Erie bill of rights petitions

The Toledo Blade: Board of Elections rejects downtown jail, Lake Erie bill of rights petitions

Toledo, OH, residents vow legal action as the Lucas County Board of Elections votes to block a Lake Erie Bill of Rights from the ballot. CELDF is representing residents denied their right to vote.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 28, 2018

Press Release: Lake Erie Bill of Rights Blocked from November Ballot

Press Release: Lake Erie Bill of Rights Blocked from November Ballot

Growing efforts to stifle voting rights continue in Ohio as local government blocks Toledo residents’ Lake Erie Bill of Rights from the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Aug 24, 2018

Press Release: Franklin County Board of Elections Denies Residents the Right to Vote

Press Release: Franklin County Board of Elections Denies Residents the Right to Vote

The Franklin County, OH, Board of Elections strips 560,000 Columbus citizens of their right to vote on a rights-based ballot measure to protect the community from fracking waste.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Aug 24, 2018

WOSU Public Media: Franklin County Board Of Elections Rejects Fracking Ban Proposal

WOSU Public Media: Franklin County Board Of Elections Rejects Fracking Ban Proposal

Despite Columbus, OH, residents qualifying their Community Rights citizen initiative banning frack waste, the Franklin County Board of Election blocks it from the November ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 23, 2018

CCBOR PRESS RELEASE: COLUMBUS, OH, FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL VOTE ON CITIZEN INITIATED COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE HEADED FOR BALLOT

CCBOR PRESS RELEASE: COLUMBUS, OH, FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL VOTE ON CITIZEN INITIATED COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE HEADED FOR BALLOT

An oil and gas industry ally submits a protest to block a Community Bill of Rights initiative banning fracking waste from the ballot in Columbus, OH. CELDF attorney Terry Lodge presents arguments to defend the people’s right to vote on Friday, 8/24.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 17, 2018

Court of Appeals Decides to Avoid Voting Rights Issue, Denies Athens Residents an Appeal

Court of Appeals Decides to Avoid Voting Rights Issue, Denies Athens Residents an Appeal

Athens County, OH, residents advancing Community Rights to protect themselves from fracking through citizen initiative are denied their appeal.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Aug 7, 2018

The Toledo Blade: Toledo water group collects signatures for “Lake Erie Bill of Rights” inclusion on Nov. ballot

The Toledo Blade: Toledo water group collects signatures for “Lake Erie Bill of Rights” inclusion on Nov. ballot

Toledo, OH, community members submit petitions to place a Lake Erie Bill of Rights citizen initiative on the November ballot. The measure recognizes the right of Lake Erie to exist and flourish, protecting it from major pollutors.

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

Aug 6, 2018

Press Release: Columbus, OH, City Council Votes to Advance Fossil Fuel Extraction Ban to Ballot

Press Release: Columbus, OH, City Council Votes to Advance Fossil Fuel Extraction Ban to Ballot

Facing radioactive fracking waste, Columbus, OH, residents qualify a Community Bill of Rights initiative banning fracking activities from within the City. The measure protects rights to clean air, water, and soil.

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

Jul 10, 2018

The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus anti-fracking initiative makes fall ballot, might not hold up legally

The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus anti-fracking initiative makes fall ballot, might not hold up legally

Residents in Columbus, OH, successfully qualify a Community Bill of Rights initiative for the November ballot. The measure bans fracking extraction and waste from within city limits as a violation of democratic and environmental rights.

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

May 24, 2018

Press Release: Ohio Attorney & Community Rights Advocate Receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award

Press Release: Ohio Attorney & Community Rights Advocate Receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award

Environmental and social justice attorney Terry Lodge receives the 2018 Johnsrud Unsung Heroes Award. Lodge partners with CELDF to advance and protect Community Rights for communities across Ohio.

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

May 22, 2018

Restructuring Ohio State Government

Restructuring Ohio State Government

Ohioans know firsthand that the very legal and governing structures we live under are preventing us from governing ourselves and protecting our communities.

Read More | Uncategorized

May 9, 2018

Press Release: The Right to Water Shut Off in Unjust Youngstown Election

Press Release: The Right to Water Shut Off in Unjust Youngstown Election

It was a questionable election at best for Youngstown, OH, where community members are fighting for their right to clean water in a city that is making it increasingly difficult to even vote on citizen initiatives.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Apr 5, 2018

The Progressive: Poll: Voters Want Local Control, Not State Takeovers

The Progressive: Poll: Voters Want Local Control, Not State Takeovers

State preemption is growing, community members across the U.S. disapprove, and no liberal or conservative political party is coming in to save the day. Instead, people are beginning to take matters into their own hands.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 27, 2018

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

Dick McGinn – A Life of Service

CELDF, OHCRN, and Ohio communities grieve the loss of Dick McGinn, and celebrate his life and contributions. He was a passionate leader in growing Community Rights in Ohio.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 19, 2018

Broadway World: Core Dance To Participate In National Water Dance

Broadway World: Core Dance To Participate In National Water Dance

Integrating art with the environmental movement, the 2018 National Water Dance will take place across the U.S. on April 14th. Core Dance is partnering with CELDF and other organizations to build alliances and protect water.

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

Mar 19, 2018

Press Release: Mahoning Board of Elections Defies Supreme Court

Press Release: Mahoning Board of Elections Defies Supreme Court

The Mahoning County, OH, Board of Elections blocks a duly qualified Community Bill of Rights initiative from the ballot in Youngstown. CELDF assists residents to file a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 8, 2018

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

The Athens News: Bill of Rights group and CELDF deserve praise for their work

An Athens County, OH, community member makes it clear: The people of Athens aren’t giving up their rights to govern themselves and protect their community from fracking wastewater, regardless of what the state says.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 1, 2018

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

The Athens News: Judges to hear appeal of Board of Elections’ rejection of charter

Denied their right to vote by the Athens County Board of Elections in Ohio, county residents make their case today in the 4th district court of appeals. Residents qualified a rights-based county charter initiative in 2017 that banned fracking activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots