Washington

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Jan 5, 2022

Glen’s Parallax Perspectives – Interview with Kai Huschke

Glen’s Parallax Perspectives – Interview with Kai Huschke

Glen Anderson interviewed two experts — Kai Huschke and Elliott Moffett — who have savvy insights and practical experience working to protect environments and establish legal rights for nature.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Nov 25, 2021

Newsletter: Washington Update

Newsletter: Washington Update

The WACRN is now working to operationalize the network to be that change agent it set out to be nearly 10 years ago.

Read More | Blogs

Nov 11, 2021

BOOK: One-Block Revolution

BOOK: One-Block Revolution

CELDF’s ​​Kai Huschke was centrally involved in the first-in-the-nation Community Bill of Rights and Worker Bill of Rights. His chapter for the new book One-Block Revolution, details the community building behind the efforts.

Read More | Publications

May 21, 2021

Newsletter: Community Justice

Newsletter: Community Justice

In a small living room in one of the most economically neglected neighborhoods in the State of Washington emerged the work of Envision Spokane. A handful of local activists and residents asked themselves the question “why?” Why, after so many years of advocacy work on behalf of neighborhoods, renters, the houseless, small businesses, the uninsured,… Read more »

Read More | Blogs, News, Worker Exploitation

Dec 2, 2020

Oregon: How Corporate Constitutional Rights Came to Be and How They Control Our Communities

Oregon: How Corporate Constitutional Rights Came to Be and How They Control Our Communities

Save the Date! Join the Oregon Community Rights Network in this upcoming event on corporate constitutional rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Events

Nov 4, 2019

Press Release: Election 2019: Corporations Are Determining What Gets Voted On

Press Release: Election 2019: Corporations Are Determining What Gets Voted On

Efforts are growing to not only determine how people vote, but what gets voted on. Your ballot measures are not yours to democratically determine.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Jul 22, 2019

Press Release: Ballot Access Stymied in Ohio and Washington

Press Release: Ballot Access Stymied in Ohio and Washington

The corporate state attempts to strip democratic rights in Ohio and Washington state. CELDF supports communities as together they fight back.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jun 6, 2019

Media Release: Tacoma, WA, Group Files First Amendment SCOTUS Petition to Protect Local Ballot Access

Media Release: Tacoma, WA, Group Files First Amendment SCOTUS Petition to Protect Local Ballot Access

With CELDF-supported attorneys, Tacoma, WA, residents filed a 1st Amendment petition with the Supreme Court challenging continued denial of ballot access for qualified citizen initiatives.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jan 4, 2019

Orcas Issues: Initiative to Protect the Salish Sea Takes Shape. Does Nature Have Rights?

Orcas Issues: Initiative to Protect the Salish Sea Takes Shape. Does Nature Have Rights?

San Juan Islands residents in Washington work to advance the rights of the Salish Sea.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 2, 2019

KNKX: ‘Rights of nature’ movement expands locally to help protect endangered orcas, Salish Sea

KNKX: ‘Rights of nature’ movement expands locally to help protect endangered orcas, Salish Sea

Communities along the Salish Sea are organizing to advance the Sea’s rights to exist and flourish, free from toxic and other harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 6, 2018

The Monroe Monitor: Organizations rallying opposition to annual aerial spraying of pesticides in the Sky Valley region

The Monroe Monitor: Organizations rallying opposition to annual aerial spraying of pesticides in the Sky Valley region

Snohomish County, WA, residents partner with CELDF to assert their democratic rights and stop aerial sprayed pesticides.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 17, 2017

The Spokesman-Review: Federal judge tosses suit by Raging Grannies seeking to ban coal and oil trains through Spokane

The Spokesman-Review: Federal judge tosses suit by Raging Grannies seeking to ban coal and oil trains through Spokane

A federal judge does not consider the people’s right to a healthy climate in a lawsuit filed by Spokane residents who are fighting to protect their community from fossil fuel activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 15, 2017

Press Release: Court Dismisses Climate Lawsuit on Procedural Grounds; Constitutional Right to a Healthy Climate Ignored

Press Release: Court Dismisses Climate Lawsuit on Procedural Grounds; Constitutional Right to a Healthy Climate Ignored

A federal judge uses “standing” to dismiss Spokane residents’ lawsuit asserting a right to a healthy climate, ignoring the urgency of climate change and the people’s rights.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Jul 6, 2017

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Press Release: People’s Right to a Healthy Climate Takes Center Stage in Federal Court

Spokane, WA, residents set to make their argument for a right to climate in federal court next week. CELDF filed a lawsuit on behalf of residents against the U.S. government in January.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 10, 2017

Changing the power structures through We the People 2.0 and Community Rights

Changing the power structures through We the People 2.0 and Community Rights

Gig Harbor, WA, residents face over-development and environmental threats – and turn to the documentary We the People 2.0 and Community Rights for solutions.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 13, 2017

The Seattle Times LTE: City Council applauded – now it’s time for Community Rights

The Seattle Times LTE: City Council applauded – now it’s time for Community Rights

Seattle’s City Council withdraws financial ties with Wells Fargo over the Dakota Access Pipeline. Now it’s time for them to take the next step.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 1, 2017

The Spokesman-Review: Oil, coal train protesters in Spokane file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

The Spokesman-Review: Oil, coal train protesters in Spokane file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

Residents of Spokane, WA, file a federal lawsuit asserting the people’s right to a healthy climate.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Feb 1, 2017

KREM2: ‘Raging Grannies’ and other protesters file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

KREM2: ‘Raging Grannies’ and other protesters file federal lawsuit claiming climate change protections

“Raging Granny” residents in Spokane, WA, file federal lawsuit for a right to a livable climate.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 31, 2017

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Control Over Coal and Oil Trains

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Control Over Coal and Oil Trains

CELDF files lawsuit against the federal government, asserting federal law preempting municipal control of fossil fuel rail shipments violates residents’ constitutional right to a healthy climate and local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jan 31, 2017

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Health and Safety Laws Concerning Coal and Oil Trains

PR: Spokane Arrestees Sue U.S. Government: Seek to Overturn Federal Preemption of Local Health and Safety Laws Concerning Coal and Oil Trains

CELDF files lawsuit against the federal government, asserting federal law preempting municipal control of fossil fuel rail shipments violates residents’ constitutional right to a healthy climate and local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Oct 30, 2016

Salon: What’s not being voted on this November: Local democracy is being squashed from coast to coast

Salon: What’s not being voted on this November: Local democracy is being squashed from coast to coast

Simon Davis-Cohen reveals escalating efforts to quash We the People from exercising our right to initiative. From fracking and water protection, to minimum wage and police reform, the corporate state is cracking down.

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

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

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 7, 2016

Tacoma Weekly: ‘Water warriors’ plan to continue fight after initiatives blocked

Tacoma Weekly: ‘Water warriors’ plan to continue fight after initiatives blocked

Tacoma local government allies with big business interests, using the courts to block Tacomans from voting to protect their water. Undaunted, Tacomans prepare for a statewide initiative, and plan to run Community Rights candidates for local office.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 4, 2016

KOMO News: Group fighting for a say in the future of Tacoma’s water

KOMO News: Group fighting for a say in the future of Tacoma’s water

Tacoma, WA, residents determine next move as a county judge denies their right to protect their local water through initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 24, 2016

The Pierce Progressive: Whose Water is It?

The Pierce Progressive: Whose Water is It?

Local government and corporate interests in Tacoma, WA, collude to stop the City’s residents from their democratic right to initiative. Residents are advancing a rights-based measure to let the people decide when large corporate water uses are allowed.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 10, 2016

Press Release: Spokane Initiative to Ban Coal, Oil Trains as Threat to Climate and Public Safety

Press Release: Spokane Initiative to Ban Coal, Oil Trains as Threat to Climate and Public Safety

Coal and oil trains passing through Spokane, WA, spark physician Gunnar Holmquist to take action, filing a CELDF-drafted Community Bill of Rights charter amendment banning the shipments as a violation of the right to a healthy climate and public safety.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jun 9, 2016

KPLU 88.5: Grassroots Group Decries Port Of Tacoma’s Move To Block Ballot Measures Over Industrial Water Use

KPLU 88.5: Grassroots Group Decries Port Of Tacoma’s Move To Block Ballot Measures Over Industrial Water Use

The corporate state in Tacoma, WA, attempts “…to use the court as a weapon to strangle democracy in Tacoma.” Residents are advancing their right to initiative as they fight to protect their water from large commercial uses.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 7, 2016

Tacoma Daily Index: Port of Tacoma files suit to keep water initiatives off ballot

Tacoma Daily Index: Port of Tacoma files suit to keep water initiatives off ballot

Tacoma, WA, residents fight to protect their water while their own local electeds stand against them. Local government and business interests are suing to block a rights-based ballot initiative from a vote by the people. The measure would protect Tacoma water.

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

Nov 29, 2015

Spokane: Ballot Box and Court Room for Rights

Spokane: Ballot Box and Court Room for Rights

This November, Spokane, WA, residents led groundbreaking work in advancing worker rights, and made a stand for community rights in the Washington Supreme Court.

Read More | Uncategorized

Nov 10, 2015

Spokane,WA 2013 Community Bill of Rights goes to state Supreme Court

Spokane,WA 2013 Community Bill of Rights goes to state Supreme Court

After City and corporate interests kept Spokane residents’ 2013 Community Bill of Rights off the ballot, CELDF argues before the Washington Supreme Court to recognize the right of the people to initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 26, 2015

In These Times: A Bill of Rights That Puts Workers Above Corporations

In These Times: A Bill of Rights That Puts Workers Above Corporations

With union and labor backing, as well as endorsements from local groups and nationally renowned Noam Chomsky, Spokane, WA’s, Worker Bill of Rights charter amendment will be voted on by residents next week. The bill of rights establishes a family wage, equal pay for equal work, and protection from unjust firings.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 26, 2015

KXLY.com: What Prop 1 means for Spokane residents, businesses

KXLY.com: What Prop 1 means for Spokane residents, businesses

Residents supporting the Worker Bill of Rights in Spokane, WA, call out fear tactics used to dissuade voters, and press forward with their efforts to raise minimum wages, assure equitable pay standards, and protect against unfair firings.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 4, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Election preview: Spokane Proposition 1, the Worker Bill of Rights

The Spokesman-Review: Election preview: Spokane Proposition 1, the Worker Bill of Rights

Spokane, WA’s, Worker Bill of Rights initiative places worker rights over corporate privileges. “If we are about creating …sustainability, we can’t get there without actually challenging this idea that corporate rights should be greater than the community’s rights,” says Envision Spokane’s Kai Huschke.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 23, 2015

Truthout: Campaign for a “Worker Bill of Rights” Puts ALEC in Spokane’s Crosshairs

Truthout: Campaign for a “Worker Bill of Rights” Puts ALEC in Spokane’s Crosshairs

Spokane, WA’s Worker Bill of Rights asserts the right to community decision-making over corporate claimed “rights” to call the shots. And in Colorado, residents’ community rights state constitutional amendment asserts community decision-making over state claimed preemptive authority.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 11, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Supreme Court date set for Envision arguments

The Spokesman-Review: Supreme Court date set for Envision arguments

Spokane, WA, residents qualified a Community Bill of Rights for the ballot for 2013. Corporate and government interests attempted to keep the measure off the ballot, and lost in an appellate court. November 10th the Washington Supreme Court will hear the case.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 9, 2015

Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

Envision Spokane fires back against mayor’s legal challenge

Envision Spokane is asking a judge to throw out a legal challenge brought by the mayor against the group’s most recent ballot initiative.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 3, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: State Supreme Court to hear 2013 Envision Spokane case

The Spokesman-Review: State Supreme Court to hear 2013 Envision Spokane case

Not wanting communities exercising authority in the places where they live, business and government interests appeal a Washington appellate court decision to the Washington Supreme Court. The appellate court had ordered Spokane’s Community Bill of Rights on the ballot for a vote by the people.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 27, 2015

The Inlander: Worker Bill of Rights will be on ballot as city declines to appeal judge’s ruling

The Inlander: Worker Bill of Rights will be on ballot as city declines to appeal judge’s ruling

The Worker Bill of Rights is the fourth initiative from Envision Spokane, now operating under Envision Worker Rights, to qualify for the ballot. It would grant new protections and rights to workers in Spokane, a prospect that has the business community worried.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 26, 2015

The Spokesman-Review: Recognize workers’ rights

The Spokesman-Review: Recognize workers’ rights

While The Spokesman-Review got it right that all qualifying citizens’ initiatives should make it onto the ballot, the editorial board continues to get it wrong on corporate rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

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 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

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 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