For the first time in the U.S., a state legislative committee held a public hearing on a Community Rights state constitutional amendment. Residents from across…
CELDF Endorses Proposal for Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands
A group of authors organized through the Society of Wetland Scientists have developed a proposal for a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands. CELDF is excited to endorse the efforts as a step toward recognizing and enforcing the rights of wetlands.
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…
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…
November Elections Update
Learn the latest news from election day in Grant Township and West Chester, PA; Youngstown, OH; and Spokane, WA. And check out the launch of…
Press Release: Youngstown Residents Just Shy of Codifying Community Rights
Youngstown, OH, community rights supporters came within 345 votes of adopting their rights-based charter amendment banning fracking, and are ready to press forward.
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…
Press Release: Despite Court Ruling, Grant Township Bans Fracking Injection Wells Again, Through Municipal Charter
The people of Grant Township, PA, adopt the first rights-based charter in the country banning frack wastewater injection wells, two weeks after a federal judge…
Press Release: New Hampshire Legislature to Consider CELDF-Drafted State Constitutional Amendment
A CELDF-drafted state constitutional amendment recognizing the rights of communities to govern themselves is being introduced in the New Hampshire legislature.
Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Upholds the Right of the People of Youngstown to Vote on a Citizens’ Initiative
The people of Youngstown’s constitutional right to vote on a local Bill of Rights charter amendment initiative was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Press Release: Ohio Supreme Court Rules Against Secretary of State
The Ohio Supreme Court rules in favor of the democratic rights of citizens, and against the Ohio Secretary of State's claimed "unfettered authority" to block…
Government and Corporations Collude Against the People: Ohio Is a Corporate State
Ohio government officials, both locally and at the state level, use oil and gas industry law firms in an attempt to keep the people's ballot…
What’s in a Community Bill of Rights (CBOR)?
Community Bills of Rights (CBOR) come in a variety of forms, including municipal or county ordinances, home rule charters, charter amendments, state legislation, and state…
Initiating a Rights-Based Campaign
The Three G’s of Organizing Wondering how to get started on the road to local self-government in your community? You’ll need: A Goal, A Group,…
Is it Really ILLEGAL to Think Outside the Box?
What is it that keeps us from getting what we want in our communities? Why can’t we say, “No!” to harmful activities? The short answer…
The System is Fixed and We Need to Break It
The system is broken! At CELDF we hear this all the time from communities asking for our help. Yet, to our eyes, the system is…
Press Release: Ohio Citizens Protest Against Secretary of State for denying their Constitutional Right to Vote
Ohio residents will demonstrate in downtown Columbus on Wednesday, against Ohio Secretary of State's recent decision to remove three Home Rule county charter initiatives from…
Press Release: National Community Rights Network Endorses NH Town ’ s Community Bill of Rights Ordinance
The National Community Rights Network backs Barrington, NH's Community Bill of Rights Ordinance banning resource extraction as a violation of residents' rights to clean air,…
EcoWatch: Corporate Rights Trump Democracy in Ohio Fracking Fight
People who oppose having their communities transformed into corporate resource colonies are familiar with the Halliburton Loophole, a secretly drafted edict that places the oil…
Press Release: Ecosystem, Community Group, and Municipal Authority File for Intervention in Lawsuit to Defend Community from Injection Well
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, PA: Today, an ecosystem in the United States filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend its own rights to…
In Remembrance of Gail Darrell
It is with great sadness that we share with you the loss of our friend and colleague, Gail Darrell. For nearly a decade, Gail has…
CELDF Statement: Spokane Initiative Appellate Court Decision
In the face of corporations and government joining together to suppress the democratic rights of the people of Spokane, WA, to vote on a Community…
No more results.
