Protecting the Rights of
People & Nature From
the Local Up
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Greetings!
In today’s newsletter, we share some initial thoughts on a surprising ruling last week from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals; announce the publication of Founding Director Paul Cienfuegos’ new book How Dare We: Courageous Practices to Reclaim Our Power as Citizens; link to a recent episode of the podcast “Lean to the Left,” which interviewed Paul on May 18; and as always check out links from our newsfeed below.
First up, we’ve got some thoughts on that striking 5th Circuit decision.
To the untrained eye, our state and the federal governments have many agencies to protect air, water, food, drugs, transportation…all kinds of things to make sure people are safe. But a look at our history gives the context of how these regulatory agencies, as their name implies, regulate harm rather than stop it.
They may slow the harm, but they don’t prevent it. They regulate the harm. And when they regulate the harm, they legalize it, making it illegal for people to actually stop the harm.
So it is with interest that we share the astounding news that on May 18, 2022, the Federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that rulings by administrative law judges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission are unconstitutional.
Whoa. This is one small attack on the regulatory agencies of the executive branch and may not stick if the Biden Administration successfully appeals it. But if it does stick, or if similar such challenges continue in the future, it could lead to regulatory agencies in general being ruled unconstitutional. The big question is what would fill the void.
For CRUS, at least one answer is obvious. The Community Rights approach is one way for communities to tackle threats on a local level and to stop harms that up until now have been permitted by those agencies. But action would need to be swift and solid. Communities should move forward with local laws that previously would have been seen as illegitimate in light of state regulations. Now’s the time to breathe life into those local ordinances.
Book of Community Rights essays available now
And on that note, what better time for a handy new book of essays with practical advice and historical context of community rights to be out in the world. Congratulations to Paul Cienfuegos, our founding director, on the launch of his new book! How Dare We? Courageous Practices to Reclaim Our Power as Citizens should be in the hands of those of you who donated $50 or more at the end of 2021 or $5/month to Community Rights US. Thank you for your contributions and we hope you find the essays to be thought-provoking and inspiring. Let us know if you think you should have received one and didn’t at book@communityrights.us. Also, if you want to order one for yourself, a friend, local library, journalist, history teacher, local official, anyone at all, you can do so HERE.
We could use your help!
We’re organizing a West Coast book tour and booking Paul on podcasts and local radio stations. We’ll be working on book talks in other parts of the country too. Please get in touch if you have connections to bookstores or libraries who might host an author event or would like a copy of the book. Do you know a reporter at your local radio station or newspaper who might write about community rights? Please, let us know book@communityrights.us! And if you want to host an event with or without an associated workshop let us know! We’re all ears as we try to get the book out to anyone and everyone who could benefit from these ideas. We’d especially like to reach readers for whom these ideas are novel and groundbreaking.
Paul speaks with Bob Gatty of “Lean to the Left” about his book and how community rights are relevant today.
Essential CR News from the Web
A bill to confer Rights to the St. Lawrence River was proposed in Quebec, Canada
This Canadian river is now legally a person. It’s not the only one.
Columbus charter review: Will changes make citizen ballot initiatives nearly impossible?
Indian Court Rules That Nature Has Legal Status on Par With Humans
Florida Judge Asked to Recognize the Legal Rights of Five Waterways Outside Orlando
Not going with the flow: salmon ‘sue’ US city over harm to population
NYS Assemblyman Patrick Burke Introduces Great Lakes Bill of Rights
Permits Legalize Pollution at Thacker Pass
Help further the work of Community Rights US
There are many ways to support our work protecting the rights of people and nature. You can donate via PayPal or Action Network or Netgiver (no fees!). Through this link, you can sign up for one-time or monthly recurring donations quickly and easily. Check it out and consider supporting Community Rights US, so together we can take our country back from corporate rule, and reclaim our rightful authority to govern ourselves (from the local up).Photo credits:”Daffodil Sunset Roadside 145 G” by jim.choate59 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; “How Dare We on the porch” by Michelle Martin; Sand Spit at Klamath River Mouth by goingslo; “Banyan Tree Roots” by moonjazz.