Anyone can be a part of Groundswell. Over the course of six months, Groundswell pushed forward a Community Bill of Rights and Natural Gas Fracking Ban in the borough of State College, PA. On November 8th, 2011, State College became the first place in the nation to pass Community Rights, Environmental Rights (or Rights of Nature) and ban fracking by a popular vote. In November 2012, Groundswell hel
ped pass another Bill of Rights and Fracking Ban in Ferguson Township, PA. Community Rights enfranchise local communities to take greater control of what happens within their boarders -as it affects their health, environment and creating a sustainable energy future. Environmental Rights, like the right to clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems are not only enshrined as human rights, but as rights that extend to living ecologies: allowing us to recognize the environment as something other than just property. Finally, this law banned fracking within the boarders of the Borough municipality. If state and federal government are failing to protect communities from industrial calamity, those communities should have the right to protect their own health, safety and collective future. Taken together, these initiatives amount to a challenge to existing structural law concerning local government and a revolution in the way we deal with issues concerning communities and our environment. On Nov. 8th, 2011 the initiative passed with 72% of the vote in State College. It was a landslide. On November 6th 2012, the Ferguson Initiative passed. Now we’re looking forward to expanding this initiative to new communities, educating the public on community and environmental rights, and building a network of people dedicated to change making. Wherever you are, we’d love for you to get involved. Remember: we have a right to a sustainable future,
your friends in Groundswell
Visit www.groundswell.gs and www.celdf.org for more information.
