“We the People 2.0” explores the work of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) in helping people and communities protect themselves against pollution, environmental damage, and other hazards (mining, mountain top removal, oil drilling, fracking, industrial pollution, etc.) by writing community home rule charters spelling out citizens’ rights, community rights, and the rights of nature.

This movement can be viewed as the Second American Revolution, wherein citizens take back control of their neighborhoods and communities from corporations which are polluting and destroying their health, livelihoods, and quality of life. The movie highlights the plight of communities that have had oil wells, fracking wells, mines, tailings ponds, chemical plants, and other industrial polluters set up in their neighborhoods, against the will of the community. It looks at how the legal framework is stacked against people and communities and how CELDF helps people and communities take back their neighborhoods and fight for the quality of life they want and deserve as citizens of a democracy.

Come join us to see this great movie and stay for the community discussion afterward with special guests from FIX DEMOCRACY FIRST:

Ken Dammand is the current Chair of the Board of Fix Democracy First, an organization that began in 2000 as Washington Public Campaigns and laid the ground work for the creation of a publicly funded path to political office in Washington State, making possible Seattle’s advanced system of public funding for city council positions. Ken has been a frequent contributor of Democracy related letters to the editor in the Everett Herald, was an active organizer for Bernie Sanders’ campaign, and continues to work toward a genuine Democracy and a United States of America that actually lives up to its ideals.

Cindy Black is the Executive Director of Fix Democracy First, a nonpartisan, nonprofit pro-democracy organization in WA State, who’s mission is to achieve fair elections and government policies that reflect the will of the people and not the power of money. Cindy was also the Campaign Director for WAmend’s successful statewide ballot Initiative 735 campaign, making Washington the 18th state to call for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to overturn court decisions like Citizens United. She works full time on helping pass pro-democracy reforms and building a strong citizen’s movement here in Washington State.”

Michael Lapointe began his political activism in 1973 when, as a member of the UE union, he demonstrated in support of workers’ rights. Michael has participated in ERA demonstrations, protested with Caesar Chavez, marched with Angela Davis, demanded justice for the Wilmington 10, protested in Washington D.C. during the OPEC embargo, and engaged in peace vigils during the Gulf war. Since moving to Everett, Michael has been active in fighting coal trains, supporting a Community Bill of Rights, and in 2014, was arrested for blocking a Bakken oil train in Everett’s Delta Yard. As a Detox and Chemical Dependency Case Worker, and while working at Cocoon House – Teen Homeless shelter – Michael has witnessed the despair of addiction, family violence, poverty and mental illness, and has seen how systemic injustice and inequality can devastate people and families. But, he hasn’t given up the fight!

We are grateful to Fix Democracy First for co-sponsoring this film with us. Thanks!