Voters make history, adopting Home Rule Charter despite industry allies’ threats and intimidation. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from November 8, 2016. Highland Township, Elk County, PA: Tonight, voters in Highland Township (pop. 500) approved a historic measure, adopting a rights-based Home Rule Charter by a vote of 55% to [...]
Community will decide on banning toxic aerial spraying. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from October 7, 2016. Lincoln County, Oregon: Next spring, Lincoln County citizens will vote on a ban of toxic aerial pesticide spraying by the industrial timber industry. The citizen proposed initiative, drafted with assistance by the Community [...]
Oil and Gas Trade Group Seeks to Jail Elected Officials Who Dare to Protect Civil and Environmental Rights. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from October 5, 2016. Mercersburg, Pemmsylvania: It’s the sound of a desperate industry, and the saber-rattling has been echoing for a couple of years. Unable to control [...]
First Tribal Nation to Advance the Rights of Nature. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from September 18, 2016. Mercersburg, Pennsylvania: On Saturday, the General Council of the Ho-Chunk Nation voted overwhelmingly to amend their tribal constitution to enshrine the Rights of Nature. The Ho-Chunk Nation is the first tribal nation [...]
Court sides on behalf of oil and gas industry allies, keeps qualified initiatives off ballot. Justice J. O’Neill dissents, arguing for the people’s right to local self-government. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from September 13, 2016. Columbus, Ohio: Today, the Ohio Supreme Court, in a 6:1 decision, struck a blow [...]
Residents in Three Counties Take Fight for Democratic Rights to Ohio Supreme Court. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from August 19, 2016. Broadview Heights, Ohio: Today, residents of Athens, Meigs, and Portage Counties filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jon Husted (SOS) and their county Boards of Elections. The [...]
Township Battles Industry Lawsuit to Overturn its Ban on Frack Injection Wells. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from August 11, 2016. Grant Township, Indiana County, PA: Grant Township residents fighting for Community Rights recently prevailed on several key motions in court. Corporate lawyers for Pennsylvania General Energy Company (PGE) failed [...]
People of Medina Forced to Appeal to Ohio Supreme Court. 5500 Residents Signed Petitions to Qualify Measure for Vote in November. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from August 9, 2016. Broadview Heights, Ohio: Today, citizens of Medina County filed a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court to reverse a decision [...]
File protest against Athens Co Board of Elections for blocking qualified initiative. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from July 25, 2016. Athens, Ohio: Today, members of the Athens County Bill of Rights Committee (ACBORC) hand delivered a formal protest against the Board of Elections (BOE). On July 8, the Board [...]
Ready to Stop Company from Injecting Frack Wastewater into their Community - New Law Shields People from Arrest for Protesting Project. A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 3, 2016. Grant Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania: Tonight, Grant Township Supervisors passed a first-in-the-nation law that legalizes direct action to stop frack [...]