In this issue:

• Earth Island Journal explores Rights of Nature
• Upcoming Democracy Schools in California
• Who is your human rights hero?
• Thomas Linzey and “We The People 2.0” documentary film

Natural Law - From Rural Pennsylvania to South America, a Global Alliance is Promoting the Idea that Ecosystems Have Intrinsic Rights

Our friends at the Earth Island Journal published a new article this week that explores in depth the global movement for nature’s rights. Read the article which includes interviews with Shannon Biggs, 2011 Human Rights Award winner Pablo Solon and many other allies from the Global Alliance for the Rights of Mother Earth.

Photo credit: Brett Weston, Corbis.

Attend Democracy School this spring
Join us to learn about how you can subordinate corporations to local democratic decision-making and assert your community rights at Democracy School! The two-day training teaches citizens and activists how to reframe exhausting and often discouraging single issue work (such as opposing toxic dumps, water withdrawal, local food sovereignty, etc.) in a way that allows us to confront corporate control on a powerful single front: people’s constitutional rights.

Lectures cover the history of people's movements and corporate power, and the recent organizing by over 120 communities across the US confronting unwanted corporate assaults. Included with enrollment in the Democracy School is a 300 plus-page notebook of background reading material.

• Los Angeles/Santa Monica April 20th-21st. Location TBA. Up to 40 people may attend. Taught by Shannon Biggs and Ben Price. For more information, contact Cris Gutierrez: crispeace@earthlink.net
• Mendocino County: May 21st-22nd. Location TBA. Up to 20 people may attend. For more information, contact Jamie Lee: jwlpeace@gmail.com
• Grass Valley, CA: Date and Location TBA. For more information, contact Holly Beardsley: hbconsulting@sbcglobal.net

Human Rights Award People’s Choice Contest
We are now seeking nominations for the 2012 People’s Choice Award! The winner will be announced at our Gala celebration in San Francisco on May 10, 2012 and they will be awarded $1,000 toward their work. There are already some great nominations submitted, like indigenous environmental leader and rights of nature activist, Tom Goldtooth.

Please nominate an organization or human rights hero that inspires you – it only takes two minutes! Now through March 19, 2012 you can log on to www.humanrightsaward.org to submit your nominations and cast your vote.

We expect ten-of-thousands to visit the site, so this is a great opportunity to spread the word about the great work you do, or the great work of a human rights hero that inspires you. The winner will be announced at the Gala on May 10th. If you would like to attend the Gala, tickets are available online.

We The People 2.0
Tree Media Group, the folks that brought you the film the 11th hour with Leonardo Di Caprio, are working on a new film about the movement for Community Rights and highlighting our partner Thomas Linzey (CELDF). For more information, visit the film’s website.

Kylie Nealis
Program Associate, Community Rights