This original guide was produced by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. 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 constitutional amendments. The community decides which form to use, depending largely upon the types of local government and [...]
An excellent introductory Primer on “Rights-Based” Organizing, presented as a 20-minute slideshow. Produced by Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.
An Op-Ed by Tom Ginsburg, published in the New York Times on June 14, 2015. Magna Carta, on which King John placed his seal 800 years ago today, is synonymous in the English-speaking world with fundamental rights and the rule of law. It’s been celebrated, and appropriated, by everyone from Tea Party members to Jay [...]
This article by Jane Anne Morris was published on her website, DemocracyThemePark.org, on November 23, 2014. In the “Obamacare” decision, Chief Justice Roberts masterfully executed what the Zulu call “buffalo horns” — the pincer strategy. Purchase of health insurance is mandatory (a 5-4 vote), BUT states are not required to expand Medicaid to cover the people who can’t afford [...]
This article by Jane Anne Morris was published on her website, DemocracyThemePark.org, on November 23, 2014. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the Obama Health Care Plan (OHCP), officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010). Is OHCP constitutional? What is a defensible and prudent green position on this question? Shrill arguments [...]
This article by Jane Anne Morris (DemocracyThemePark.org) was originally published in the October 9, 2014 edition of (Madison, Wisconsin) Capital Times. When the “Hillary Clinton film” case is decided, headlines should declare, “Supreme Court affirms corporate personhood.” Instead, most media will call it a free speech decision. “First Amendment rights” will play the Trojan horse hauling [...]
Thomas Linzey, Executive Director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, gave a speech at the Colorado Community Rights Network's State Assembly on August 30, 2014. Linzey spoke about the challenges and successes of local communities asserting their rights to local governance. The Colorado Community Rights Network helps communities create their own local laws to define and [...]
Ben Price made a presentation and answered questions on a conference call with the local Community Rights group in Fairfield, Iowa, on February 25, 2014. This local group has written a draft ordinance that would prohibit any further CAFO's (factory farms) in Jefferson County, Iowa. Ben is the Projects Director of Community Environmental Legal Defense [...]
This is an original speech presented by Community Rights US' Founding Director Paul Cienfuegos, in the small town of Decorah, Iowa, on September 26, 2013, sponsored by the Community Rights Alliance of Winneshiek County. An edited version of Paul's speech was later nationally broadcast via David Barsamian's 'Alternative Radio' show. I wish to thank the [...]
An introductory 13-minute slideshow produced by Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.