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The National Community Rights Network
Empowering the Rights of Communities!
Recognizing the Rights of Nature!
Virginia
The Virginia Community Rights Network
We’re uniquely positioned in the Commonwealth of Virginia to begin the movement for the right to survive and thrive!
Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica, is a spring ephemeral plant with bell-shaped sky-blue flowers, native to eastern North America.
We’ve experienced the injustice of ‘illegitimate’ corporate rights impeding local and direct democracy as we’ve worked with allies for six years to stop two proposed, enormous fracked-gas pipelines here in Virginia.
We’ve hosted a standing-room-only Democracy School in 2018 and a Rights of Nature Weekend in 2019.
Working closely with Ben Price, CELDF National Organizing Director we’ve created the James River Natural Community Bill of Rights.
Over 40 enthusiastic participants spent a weekend becoming energized to champion the Rights of Nature and unify in the desire to protect and preserve our shared, inalienable Rights.
We’re passionate about Rights of Nature Conservation Easements as we await the transfer of two Commonwealth parcels! Numerous Virginians have expressed excitement in protecting their homes in this way.
Our work in advancing democratic, environmental, economic, and social rights for local communities grows as we join the National Community Rights Network.
As we support the movement for equality and justice for all, we echo the words of the Reverends Dr. William Barber, II and Dr. Liz Theoharris at the Poor People’s Campaign, “Forward Together, Not one Step Back.”
Mission Statement
Virginia Community Rights Network (VACRN) guides, supports, and encourages local efforts to recognize and legally secure the Rights of Nature and Communities to a healthy environment through self-government at the city, county, and state level. We’re dedicated to challenging the injustice of ‘illegitimate’ corporate rights, that impede local and direct democracy: through educational training, workshops, campaign strategy development, and public outreach.