News From the Community Rights Movement

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Nov 13, 2014

Written Word, Spoken Word: SWEPI v. Mora County: The Purple Haze of U.S. Judge James Oren Browning

Written Word, Spoken Word: SWEPI v. Mora County: The Purple Haze of U.S. Judge James Oren Browning

Blogger Frances Madeson shares the surreal proceedings in the oral arguments of the SWEPI v. Mora County, NM, case. SWEPI is suing to overturn Mora County’s Community Water Rights and Local Self-Governance Ordinance.

Read More | Uncategorized

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

Nov 12, 2014

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Fracking Corporations Played the Democracy Game – Two Communities Set New Rules this Election

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Fracking Corporations Played the Democracy Game – Two Communities Set New Rules this Election

Growing numbers of communities – including Athens, OH, and Mendocino County, CA – banned fracking by asserting their inalienable right to make governing decisions, and elevating community rights above corporate claimed “rights” when they harm a community.

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Nov 10, 2014

Punishing Democracy

Punishing Democracy

Denton, TX, joins a growing number of communities being sued by their own government and corporate entities, to punish communities for democratically enacting bans on fracking.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Nov 6, 2014

EagleFordTexas.com: Mendocino County voters ban fracking

EagleFordTexas.com: Mendocino County voters ban fracking

Mendocino County, CA’s, Community Bill of Rights banning fracking protects residents and local ecosystems, and challenges existing law that denies communities the right to local decision-making, the right to clean air and water, and the right to create sustainable communities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 5, 2014

2014 Election Update: Record Number of Community Rights Initiatives on Ballot

2014 Election Update: Record Number of Community Rights Initiatives on Ballot

Community Bills of Rights advance on Election Day 2014, with a record number of initiatives on the ballot, and a growing number of communities determined to drive those rights forward.

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Nov 5, 2014

YES! Magazine: 6 Ways Americans Voted Against Corporate Power in the Most Expensive Midterm Elections Ever

YES! Magazine: 6 Ways Americans Voted Against Corporate Power in the Most Expensive Midterm Elections Ever

CELDF-drafted Community Bills of Rights banning fracking and challenging corporate claimed “rights” in Ohio and California take center stage.

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

Nov 5, 2014

Press Release: Athens, OH, Bans Fracking and Frack Waste Water Disposal as a Violation of Rights

Press Release: Athens, OH, Bans Fracking and Frack Waste Water Disposal as a Violation of Rights

Athens, OH, residents overwhelmingly adopt a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking wastewater disposal, as a violation of their rights to clean air, water, and the right to local self-government.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Oct 17, 2014

Colorado Community Rights Network Launches Fundraiser for State Ballot Initiative

Colorado Community Rights Network Launches Fundraiser for State Ballot Initiative

The COCRN calls for support to advance the Colorado Community Rights Amendment for the state wide ballot in 2015. Check out their fundraising video on INDIEGOGO.

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Sep 26, 2014

CentralMaine.com: East-west corridor remains a danger

CentralMaine.com: East-west corridor remains a danger

Dover-Foxcroft, ME, resident urges communities to assert their rights to protect themselves from harmful corporate projects, such as the East-West Corridor, through Community Bills of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 17, 2014

So Your Community is Going to be Fracked, Mined, Factory Farmed, or fill in the blank…

So Your Community is Going to be Fracked, Mined, Factory Farmed, or fill in the blank…

Why can’t we say “no” to what we don’t want, and “yes” to what we do want, in our communities? This short video goes through the barriers we face in our communities – and what you can do about it.

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Sep 17, 2014

The Right to Local Self-Government

The Right to Local Self-Government

What is the right of local, community self-government? Where did that right come from? The right is violated daily – what does that actually look like? And can we build sustainable communities without that right? If not, how do we change law to codify that right? CELDF’s Thomas Linzey answers these questions in this 20 minute slide show.

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Sep 1, 2014

Spokane

Spokane

In 2007, after a series of Democracy Schools held in Spokane, Washington, a group of citizens led by local school teacher Brad Read built a coalition to support a Community Bill of Rights for City residents.

Read More | Community Wires

Aug 21, 2014

The Colorado Statesman: How Congressman Jared Polis and Food and Water Watch sold out Colorado

The Colorado Statesman: How Congressman Jared Polis and Food and Water Watch sold out Colorado

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey calls out the blatant sellout of Coloradans by a Congressman who had claimed to support communities banning fracking, and a non-profit’s abandonment of helping protect Coloradans from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 21, 2014

EcoWatch: Colorado Town Sues State, Gov. Hickenlooper and COGA to Protect Right to Ban Fracking

EcoWatch: Colorado Town Sues State, Gov. Hickenlooper and COGA to Protect Right to Ban Fracking

Lafayette, CO, residents file a preliminary injunction to protect their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 21, 2014

Daily Camera: Lafayette group files motion to block oil and gas industry’s lawsuit, enforce local fracking ban

Daily Camera: Lafayette group files motion to block oil and gas industry’s lawsuit, enforce local fracking ban

With 60% of Lafayette, CO, residents adopting a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking last November, residents file a motion for a preliminary injunction against the State and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) to enforce their ban.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 19, 2014

Press Release: Lafayette, CO, Residents Seek Injunction Against State & Oil and Gas Industry for Violating the Right of Local Self-Government

Press Release: Lafayette, CO, Residents Seek Injunction Against State & Oil and Gas Industry for Violating the Right of Local Self-Government

Lafayette, CO, residents seek a preliminary injunction against the State of Colorado, the Governor, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association to enforce their Community Bill of Rights banning fracking – adopted overwhelmingly by residents last November.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Aug 12, 2014

Daily Camera: Opinion – Home Rule — On the ‘rights’ side of history

Daily Camera: Opinion – Home Rule — On the ‘rights’ side of history

Boulder County, CO, resident urges support for advancing communities’ rights over corporate claimed “rights” through Home Rule local self-governance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 4, 2014

Longmont Daily Times Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents haven’t yet turned in petitions

Longmont Daily Times Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents haven’t yet turned in petitions

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado has gathered more than 10,000 signatures to place a home rule charter question on the ballot for May 2015. Residents are considering a home rule form of government to advance Community Rights and protect themselves from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 26, 2014

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County charter proponents launch petition drive

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County charter proponents launch petition drive

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado is gathering signatures in the first steps towards creating a Community Rights Home Rule Charter for the County. Supporters want to protect the County from fracking using Community Rights to local self-governance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 25, 2014

Network Coordinator to Advance the New Hampshire Community Rights Network

Network Coordinator to Advance the New Hampshire Community Rights Network

CELDF announces Michelle Sanborn as our new New Hampshire Community Rights Network Coordinator. Michelle led her hometown of Alexandria, NH, in adopting a Community Bill of Rights banning unsustainable energy development projects in March 2014.

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Jul 25, 2014

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents hope to gain spot on fall ballot

Longmont Daily Times-Call: Boulder County home-rule charter proponents hope to gain spot on fall ballot

The Boulder County Community Rights Network in Colorado gathers signatures to create a Home Rule Charter Commission, intending to enact a Home Rule Charter built on a Community Bill of Rights that would codify Boulder County’s right to ban fracking and other harmful activities.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 11, 2014

Why the People of the Big Island Can’t Ban GMOs Without Challenging Corporate “Rights”

Why the People of the Big Island Can’t Ban GMOs Without Challenging Corporate “Rights”

A simple ban on GMOs in Hawai’i County misses addressing our structure of law and governance that allows GMOs at all. To successfully stop them, ordinances are needed that challenge that structure and remove corporate claimed “rights” to plant GMOs against community wishes.

Read More | Uncategorized

Jul 10, 2014

Boulder Weekly: Petition for home rule circulates Boulder County

Boulder Weekly: Petition for home rule circulates Boulder County

Boulder County, CO, residents gather signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot. The measure is the first step in creating a Community Rights Home Rule Charter for the County that would elevate communities’ rights over corporate claimed “rights.”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 1, 2014

CELDF Statement on New York Fracking Decision

CELDF Statement on New York Fracking Decision

We congratulate the victory in the New York Court of Appeals for banning fracking. We also recognize the Court, rather than affirming communities’ right to local self-governance, instead affirmed the state legislature may at any time remove those bans. Read more here.

Read More | Press Releases & Blogs

Jun 23, 2014

Highland Twp. picnic for clean water held Saturday

Highland Twp. picnic for clean water held Saturday

Highland Township, PA, residents, adopting a Community Rights Ordinance banning fracking injection wells in 2013, receive broad community support on Saturday at an event attended by Pennsylvania and Ohio communities.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 15, 2014

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

A diary from occupystephanie draws parallels between Community Rights and other rights’ movements and describes CELDF’s work with municipalities across the U.S. to leverage those rights to protect ourselves and the natural environment from corporate harms.

Read More | Uncategorized

Jun 15, 2014

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

Daily Kos: New Civil Rights Movement

A diary from occupystephanie draws parallels between Community Rights and other rights’ movements, and describes CELDF’s work with municipalities across the U.S. to leverage those rights to protect ourselves and the natural environment from corporate harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 15, 2014

The Bradford Era: Community rights gathering slated in Highland Township

The Bradford Era: Community rights gathering slated in Highland Township

Communities and government representatives from across Elk County, PA, are invited to Highland Township’s community rights picnic gathering on Saturday, 6/21. The gathering will include speakers and community rights workshops.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 13, 2014

The Bradford Era: Feds knock down Highland Township injection well appeals

The Bradford Era: Feds knock down Highland Township injection well appeals

Highland Township, PA, and CELDF are prepared to defend the Township’s Community Rights Ordinance banning wastewater injection wells as Seneca Resources moves a step closer to attempting to site a well.

Read More | Community Wires

Jun 10, 2014

People to People Blog: Why Mora County New Mexico is Fighting Frackers for Your Rights, too

People to People Blog: Why Mora County New Mexico is Fighting Frackers for Your Rights, too

Global Exchange’s Kiara Collins explores Mora County, NM’s, fight for all communities’ rights.

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Jun 4, 2014

We the People Rising Up: Rejecting Corporate Control One Community at a Time (Part II)

We the People Rising Up: Rejecting Corporate Control One Community at a Time (Part II)

In Part II, updates from Ann Kneeland of Community Rights Lane County; Audrey Moore of the Freedom From Pesticides Alliance in Josephine County; and Clint Lindsey, Benton County Community Rights Coalition.

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Jun 4, 2014

We the People Rising Up: Rejecting Corporate Control One Community at a Time (Part I)

We the People Rising Up: Rejecting Corporate Control One Community at a Time (Part I)

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey is the keynote speaker in a Community Rights event in Eugene, OR, on June 4th. Learn about how people in 200 communities across the U.S. are beginning to rewrite American constitutional law, elevating the right of local, community self-government above corporate “rights” and powers.

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Jun 2, 2014

The Bradford Era: Picnic held in Highland Township to discuss injection well

The Bradford Era: Picnic held in Highland Township to discuss injection well

Highland Township, PA, receives support from surrounding communities at the Residents Fight for Clean Water Picnic held Saturday. Highland residents face a fracking wastewater injection well, and are preparing to enforce their Community Bill of Rights banning the wells.

Read More | Community Wires

May 20, 2014

Global Exchange’s People to People Bog: Community Rights & Fracking Ban Tour hits Mendocino County

Global Exchange’s People to People Bog: Community Rights & Fracking Ban Tour hits Mendocino County

CELDF partner, Global Exchange, works with Mendocino County, CA, residents who are threatened with fracking. Residents are using Community Rights to protect themselves, gathering signatures for a Community Bill of Rights initiative banning fracking for the November ballot.

Read More | Uncategorized

May 15, 2014

Mora County Legal Defense Fund

Mora County Legal Defense Fund

The Mora County Legal Defense Fund was formed to protect Mora’s Community Rights – including their right to clean air and water, a healthy environment, and local self-governance – as they face a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, which claims a constitutional right to frack against the will of the people of Mora.

Read More | Uncategorized

Apr 17, 2014

Ridgeway Record: Jay Twp. supports Highland’s injection well ordinance

Ridgeway Record: Jay Twp. supports Highland’s injection well ordinance

Highland Township, PA, receives a letter of support from Jay Township, as Highland stands behind its Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells. Nearby Ridgeway Township sent a letter of support in March.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 10, 2014

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Supervisors receive support in injection well fight

The Bradford Era: Highland Township Supervisors receive support in injection well fight

Support grows from other municipalities as Highland Township Supervisors stand by their Community Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells. The Township faces opposition from Seneca Resources Corporation.

Read More | Community Wires

Apr 1, 2014

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Mendocino County: Charting a new course for water protection?

Global Exchange’s People to People Blog: Mendocino County: Charting a new course for water protection?

Mendocino County, CA, residents work with CELDF’s partner Global Exchange in Community Rights organizing to protect their water. Communities are working on Community Bills of Rights, including a County level Ordinance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 30, 2014

The Southern Illinoisan: Both sides of fracking debate plan next move

The Southern Illinoisan: Both sides of fracking debate plan next move

Residents in Johnson County, IL, are moving forward with next steps to protect their community from fracking through a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 25, 2014

The Southern Illinoisan: Johnson County Board receives draft ‘bill of rights’

The Southern Illinoisan: Johnson County Board receives draft ‘bill of rights’

Johnson County, IL, residents present a Community Bill of Rights Ordinance to County Commissioners to protect the community from fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 22, 2014

The Bradford Era: Highland Township retains law firm in injection well fight

The Bradford Era: Highland Township retains law firm in injection well fight

CELDF is retained by Highland Township, PA, to defend the Township’s Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells against Seneca Resources Corporation. Seneca wants to site an injection well and has threatened legal action to negate the community’s rights.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 20, 2014

Statement of County Commissioner John Olivas, Chairman, Mora County, New Mexico Board of Commissioners

Statement of County Commissioner John Olivas, Chairman, Mora County, New Mexico Board of Commissioners

Mora County, NM, Commission Chairman John Olivas calls on communities across the U.S. to support the people of Mora County as they face corporate assaults to have their Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning fracking overturned. Only through standing together, he says, can we recreate “we the people,” and begin to build the communities we envision.

Read More | Uncategorized

Mar 19, 2014

Not The Item: Blog post – Democracy School at Susquehanna University

Not The Item: Blog post – Democracy School at Susquehanna University

Democracy School in Selingsrove, PA, in February 2014, revealed for particpants the structure of law we live under that keeps us from getting what we want in our communities – and offered what we can do about it.

Read More | Uncategorized

Mar 19, 2014

The Southern: Johnson County fracking ban defeated

The Southern: Johnson County fracking ban defeated

With over $20,000 available to pro-fracking interests to defeat a non-binding referendum in support of a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking, Johnson County residents voted it down. Community Rights supporters promise to move forward.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2014

Shadow Proof: Illinois Fracking Ban Fails After Local Newspapers Refuse To Accept Ads Supporting It

Shadow Proof: Illinois Fracking Ban Fails After Local Newspapers Refuse To Accept Ads Supporting It

A local media blackout against Community Rights in Johnson County, IL, affects ballot outcome.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2014

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes letter of support

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes letter of support

Ridgeway Township, PA, Board of Supervisors writes a letter of support for Highland Township, which is taking a stand against Seneca Resources Corporation’s plans to site a fracking wastewater injection well. The Township adopted a Community Bill of Rights banning injection wells in 2013.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 18, 2014

Southeast Missouri State University KRCU: Frack Ban Fails In Johnson County, Ill.

Southeast Missouri State University KRCU: Frack Ban Fails In Johnson County, Ill.

Community Rights opponents in Johnson County, IL, claim a hollow victory when a media blackout kept out Community Rights advocates and the state Chamber of Commerce funded $23,000 of propaganda against them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 14, 2014

State Impact: Elk County township prepares for battle against deep injection well

State Impact: Elk County township prepares for battle against deep injection well

As the EPA approves a wastewater injection well permit in Highland Township, PA, for Seneca Resources, the Township Supervisors, with standing-room-only support from the community, retains CELDF to defend their Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning injection wells.

Read More | Community Wires

Mar 13, 2014

The Kane Republican: Highland OKs Legal Fights Against Injection Well

The Kane Republican: Highland OKs Legal Fights Against Injection Well

Highland Township Supervisors in Pennsylvania receive overwhelming support from residents to enforce their Community Rights Ordinance banning fracking wastewater injection wells, as Seneca Resources presses forward with a planned well.

Read More | Community Wires