News From the Community Rights Movement

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Jun 24, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group discusses progress made

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule group discusses progress made

Highland Township, PA, residents review their governing code, finding it insufficient to meet the needs of the community because it places corporate “rights” over community rights. They are drafting a Home Rule charter that elevates communities over corporations.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 23, 2016

The Crescent-News: OEPA hosts meeting on proposed Defiance compressor station

The Crescent-News: OEPA hosts meeting on proposed Defiance compressor station

Several communities in three counties face Rover pipelines and a compressor station north of Defiance, OH. Residents gathered at a OEPA hearing to make clear they are unwilling to accept harm, and urged their communities to assert their rights to protect themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 21, 2016

Agua Para Tod@s: Cientos de comunidades en EEUU están construyendo escudos legales frente a las empresas de energéticos

Agua Para Tod@s: Cientos de comunidades en EEUU están construyendo escudos legales frente a las empresas de energéticos

Simon Davis-Cohen’s article on communities in the U.S. learning from indigenous peoples and leveraging community rights to overcome unjust western legal doctrines, is reprinted here in Agua Para Tod@s.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

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 9, 2016

Community Rights Paper #13: Breaking the Planet

Community Rights Paper #13: Breaking the Planet

Breaking the Planet takes an unflinching look at climate change, the legal and governing structures accelerating our own destruction, and the radical action necessary to cease the sweeping and violent damage being done to the planet, and us.

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

Jun 5, 2016

Akron Beacon Journal: Portage County group seeking signatures on petition calling for community bill of rights vote

Akron Beacon Journal: Portage County group seeking signatures on petition calling for community bill of rights vote

Portage County, OH, residents gather signatures to place a Community Rights County Charter on the November ballot to ban fracking activities. Residents are advancing rights to protect themselves from the oil and gas industry.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 4, 2016

Truthout: Climate Justice From the Ground Up: Six Ballot Initiatives to Watch in 2016

Truthout: Climate Justice From the Ground Up: Six Ballot Initiatives to Watch in 2016

Local communities are using their inalienable right to govern the places where they live to take action against climate change. Truthout highlights them here, including CELDF partners in Columbus, OH; Grant Township, PA; and Colorado.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 1, 2016

The Citizen: Let’s move forward in solidarity to fight for community

The Citizen: Let’s move forward in solidarity to fight for community

Residents in New Hampshire are relieved as Northeast Energy Direct withdraws its pipeline plans. But one resident says there is no win here – simply a respite until the next threat – and urges Granite Staters to continue working for Community Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 1, 2016

The Register-Guard: Stop aerial herbicide spraying in Lane County

The Register-Guard: Stop aerial herbicide spraying in Lane County

Herbicides are found in Lane County, OR, residents from aerial pesticide spraying. Finding their state government protecting the corporate sprayers rather than the people, Oregon residents advance a Community Bill of Rights banning the spraying.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

Community Rights Lane County Street Theater

Community Rights Lane County Street Theater

As Lane County, OR, voters advance Community Rights, efforts are underway to block them. Community Rights Lane County uses street theater to help fight for the people’s democratic rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule Charter group holds first meeting

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Home Rule Charter group holds first meeting

Highland Township, PA’s Home Rule Study Commission was voted in last month. Last night, they held their first meeting to begin consideration of becoming a Home Rule township, retaining CELDF as legal counsel.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 25, 2016

The Jambar: Activists Ask President Obama to End Fracking in Film

The Jambar: Activists Ask President Obama to End Fracking in Film

A screening of Dear President Obama at Youngstown State Univ. provokes discussion on how to address fracking. It is not, says CELDF’s Tish O’Dell, about pleading with elected officials. It’s about the right to make governing decisions in the places we live.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 23, 2016

The World: Movement growing to defend against corporate interests

The World: Movement growing to defend against corporate interests

State governments block communities’ efforts to stop harmful activities. Corporations sue the communities and are backed by the judiciary. What’s left? Says blogger Mary Geddry: people insisting on their right to local community self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 20, 2016

Daily Camera: John C. Lamb: Fracking decisions show the system is rigged

Daily Camera: John C. Lamb: Fracking decisions show the system is rigged

Colorado resident refuses to accede to the CO Supreme Court’s recent ruling that denies the people’s right to govern themselves and ban fracking. He calls on Coloradans to make real their right to local community self-government through a state constitutional amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 18, 2016

Press Release: Court Overrides Josephine County’s Democratic Decision-Making

Press Release: Court Overrides Josephine County’s Democratic Decision-Making

State preemption prevails again in this week’s decision from a Josephine County, OR, Circuit Court judge, overturning the people’s democratically enacted ban on GMOs.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

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 21, 2016

Rights of Nature FAQs

Rights of Nature FAQs

What does “Rights of Nature” mean, and why do need them? Understand Rights of Nature with these FAQs.

Read More | Uncategorized

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