First-in-state to elevate community rights over corporate “rights” and recognize rights of nature A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 31, 2017. OREGON: The election results from Lincoln County, OR, are in: Lincoln residents adopted the first-in-the nation countywide Freedom from Aerial Sprayed Pesticides ordinance by 61 votes. Lincoln residents are [...]
This original article by Jan Morice appeared in. Cleveland.Com on May 31, 2017 CLEVELAND, Ohio - Years before cleveland.com conceived its Western Reserve project to push for fair representation in northern Ohio, a grassroots group drafted its own declaration of self-governance to launch a fight for local control. "We declare," the Columbus Declaration states, "that the [...]
Environmental activists turn to local organizing to fight corporate interests This original article by Stephen Quirke appeared in, Street Roots News on May 26, 2017 In the battle to protect the environment, activists are increasingly turning to a model of local organizing that mixes face-to-face democracy with the power to create law. Not everyone is [...]
This original article by Darryl Ivy appeared in, KUOW on May 18, 2017 Voters in Coos County said ‘no’ Tuesday to a measure that could have blocked a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline. The results are too close to call for a Lincoln County measure banning aerial pesticide spraying. These Oregon measures stem [...]
Also, In Ironic Charade, PGE Appeals Its Own Permit A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 18, 2017. Mercersburg, PA: Last month, in a revealing display of state power being used to protect corporate interests, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sued Grant Township (Indiana County) and Highland Township (Elk [...]
This story appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Voters in Coos County said ‘no’ Tuesday to a measure that could have blocked a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline. The results are too close to call for a Lincoln County measure banning aerial pesticide spraying. These Oregon measures stem from the broader “community rights” [...]
Current ballot count has the measure passing; final vote count due at the end of May A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 17, 2017. OREGON: Yesterday’s vote in Lincoln County, OR on Measure 21-177 – a first-in-the nation countywide Freedom from Aerial Sprayed Pesticides ordinance – is still undecided though [...]
This original article by Spencer Cole appeared in, The World on May 15, 2017 COOS COUNTY — More than $1 million dollars has been donated or spent to crush a controversial ballot measure that targets the proposed Jordan Cove liquid natural gas export terminal and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. The staggering amount has made the campaign [...]
Community rights movement grows statewide, despite corporate state efforts to block it A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 1, 2017. Broadview Heights, Ohio: Residents of Portage, Medina, and Athens Counties are asserting the people’s right to local community self-government, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to protect [...]
Youngstown residents propose law to prohibit outside campaign spending A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from April 30, 2017. YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Frustrated by the influence of outside money on local elections, community members in Youngstown are kicking off their petition campaign for a “free and fair elections” law. The measure – known [...]