CELDF
The work of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF)
8/6/2018: In Columbus, Ohio, where the city is threatened with radioactive frack waste, community members have worked with CELDF since 2014 to advance Community Bills of Rights measures to ban fracking activities. Last month they succeeded, qualifying the measure with more than 12,000 signatures. The citizen initiative codifies democratic and environmental rights, and prohibits gas and oil extraction and related activities as a violation of those rights. Last week, the Columbus City Council approved the measure for the ballot. The next step, expected later this month, is the County Board of Elections’ approval to place it before voters. More info.
8/16/2018: CELDF Partnering With Australian Earth Laws Alliance to Secure Rights of Nature for the Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef is being devastated by human activities. In response, and as part of the growing Rights of Nature movement, the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) launched its campaign yesterday in partnership with CELDF to recognize the rights of the Great Barrier Reef. More info.
Check out other CELDF happenings on their events page!
Foreign Policy
“Stand Up and Speak Out!” Protest Demonstration in Horsham Close the Drone Center Before It Is Activated
Last Saturdays, noon to 2pm Protest Horsham Drone Command Center (Outside the Reaper Drone Command Center at the Horsham Air National Guard Station, Easton & County Line Roads, Horsham PA) 10:45am: Carpool from Lehigh Valley (From Hellertown Park & Ride, Silvex Rd near intersection of Rte 412 & I-78, behind Wendy’s) Please call LEPOCO at 610-691-8730 to sign up or with questions.
Intern Projects
Interns use research & analysis to rethink the way we do thingsand raise awareness towards a more sustainable future as they gain hands-on experience developing solutions.
Last summer, 5 students successfully completed a comprehensive sustainability impact assessment of the Da Vinci Science City proposed for Easton; interns this fall completed projects on Community & Restorative Justice Systems & Sustainability in Business. This spring, interns are publishing the 2019 edition of the Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet, exploring & analyzing the education system, and updating Let’s Talk About Climate!.
Summer 2019– We plan 2 projects for the summer of 2019: Climate Action Planning & Sustainability for Independent Cafés & Brewpubs.
If you are interested in an internship or would like more information, contact internship coordinator Peter Crownfield as soon as possible!
Resistance
The View From Popular Resistance: Daily Movement News & Resources
Resistance Report for movement building news, analysis, interviews and editorial commentary.
RESIST: Strategic direct action and civil disobedience such as strikes, sit-ins and occupations can expose injustice, slow down or stop harmful practices and win specific demands.
CREATE: Along with direct action and other forms of resistance, a successful movement must also build new institutions based on solidarity, justice and cooperation.
EDUCATE: Information from organizations and independent media outlets focusing on the fifteen core issues defining national and global crises.
ORGANIZE: About creating sustainable, democratic organizations that empower its members while also protecting against disruption.
STRATEGIZE: Strategic nonviolence and links to organizations that provide training in nonviolent resistance, effective strategy and creative actions.
Net Neutrality
From Popular Resistance, 5/6/17:
Internet Freedom Is Fundamental, We Might Lose It
We must protect the free and open Internet again. Donald Trump appointed Ajit Pai, a commissioner who opposed Title II and net neutrality, to be chair of the FCC. Pai is a former Verizon lawyer who is representing the interests of ISP’s like Verizon and Comcast rather than the public interest. It is going to take another mass mobilization, probably larger than the last one, in order to protect net neutrality.
We started a campaign, Protect Our Internet, see the website and Facebook page (like the page and share it). We have already taken initial actions with our coalition partners, including protesting Ajit Pai when he spoke at the American Enterprise Institute. More is planned. Sign up on Protect Our Internet so you can be part of this campaign and click here to take action by sending Ajit Pai an email.