Blog & Press Releases
Online Training for Trainers: Know Your Rights for the Undocumented Community
WHAT: We are excited to offer a Fall 2019 Online Course: Bilingual Train the Trainer in Know Your Rights for the Undocumented Community in Oregon. This training is being offered online on a sliding scale basis, from $15-$250 for the 10 week class. No one turned...
The Day the Valves Turned – Trial Approaching!
Starting on October 8, 2018, CLDC along with co-counsel, will be defending the Minnesota Valve Turners, Annette, Emily, and Ben by presenting the climate necessity defense to a Clearwater County jury. We have been developing this cutting edge legal strategy with help...
Ninth Circuit: Criminally Prosecuting People for Sleeping Outside Violates Eighth Amendment Prohibition on Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Cooper Brinson, Staff Attorney On September 4, the Ninth Circuit ruled that “the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment bars a city from prosecuting people criminally for sleeping outside on public property when those people have no home or...
Update from San Francisco: Against Climate Capitalism
This past week in San Francisco, activists from all over the country (and some from around the world) gathered to teach each other movement skills, and prepare to protest Jerry Brown’s Global Climate Action Summit. A coalition of many groups from the Bay Area,...
Necessity Defense Trial Date Set! October 8th-11th 2018
Lauren Regan is headed to Clearwater County MN, to argue the Necessity Defense along with co-counsel Tim Phillips of Minneapolis and Kelsey Skaggs, on behalf of brave Valve Turners, Emily and Annette Klapstein, and climate activist (and repeat CLDC client) Ben...
CLDC To Support Rise Against Climate Capitalism in San Francisco!
Next week in California, in response to a nationwide call-out, CLDC will be joining the climate movement in San Francisco to stand up to Governor Jerry Brown’s Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS). The purpose is simple, to let politicians know that we do not believe...
CLDC Seeking Interns for Fall 2018!
Seeking interns for Fall 2018! We benefit greatly from our strong intern program, and continue to meet and work with amazing people because of it! In return for your work, we can provide class credit, resume building, skills and mentorship that will help you become...
Minnesota Supreme Court Grants Use of the Climate Necessity Defense: We Are Trial Bound!
Update: The trial will be October 8th-11th. In 2016, five brave individuals, now known as the Valve Turners, turned off all 4 pipelines bringing tar sands oil into the US from Canada for a day. There have already been 3 trials (with Lauren as one of the trial...
Green Scare Defendant Apprehended in Cuba After 12 Years
On August 10, 2018, the US Department of Justice announced that it had “apprehended” Green Scare defendant Joseph Dibee after indicting him 12 years ago. Dibee was allegedly arrested in Cuba.
Lawyer Response to ETP’s Reckless Mistreatment of Protesters at the L’eau Est La Vie Pipeline Resistance Camp
As water protectors continue to stand up to the construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline, in the Atchafayala Basin, reckless intimidation from Energy Transfer Partners is on the rise! They are asking for protection from Louisiana State Police, and are receiving none....
Chicago Report-back
REPORT-BACK: CLDC ATTORNEYS IN CHICAGO In July of 2018, CLDC staff attorneys Lauren Regan and Cooper Brinson went to Chicago to refine our approaches to police and jail/prison misconduct litigation by attending the National Lawyers Guild’s National Police...
Report from the Bayou Bridge Pipeline Resistance
This week CLDC is providing legal support to some of the most active frontline climate defense camps in the country as part of our nationwide tour to empower and embolden activists with legal knowledge.
Donate to the Next Generation Climate Justice Action Camp
The Next Generation Climate Justice Action Camp is a 7 day summer camp that teaches youth (ages 14-18) the skills and information that they need to become effective players in the climate justice movement.
Defending Frontline Activists in Virginia and Pennsylvania
The CLDC has been providing legal support to the frontline pipeline heroes in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Recently, the Reilly family’s Virginia farm has been threatened, stolen and logged by the Mountain Valley Pipeline Corporation as it trampled upon their property rights and destroyed their pristine acreage that contains forest and creeks in order to stuff yet another unnecessary pipeline underground.
Choose Wire for conference calls
Here’s what we look for in trustworthy technology: end-to-end encryption, open source code, and cross-platform support.
Happy May Day from the CLDC Video
May Day is a historical day of resistance around the world. Before you engage, know your rights. Check out our Know Your Rights Resources here!
Happy May Day from the CLDC!
On this historic day of International Solidarity with the Worker, we honor the long struggle against capitalism for human dignity. Please enjoy this video by CLDC intern Dylan Stirewalt of worldwide May Day protests and actions, and remember to visit our Know Your Rights page before you hit the streets!
History of May Day!
Looking forward to this May Day, we should remember that democracy is not the political expression and organization of capital—rather, it is capital that organizes us under the appearance of democracy—eventually overturning any democratic practices in favor of those with the most capital.
Valve Turners to Present Climate Necessity Defense
Eugene, OR — Today is a historic moment for climate activists in the U.S. The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld a lower trial court’s ruling that will allow four climate activists to provide evidence of the necessity of their actions to a jury of their peers.
Chilling of Protestor Freedom in Iowa
SF 2235, An Act Relating to Criminal Acts Committed On or Against Critical Infrastructure and Providing Penalties: A chilling of protestor freedom in Iowa.
This bill has passed both houses of the Iowa Legislature and is pending Gubernatorial approval. The original version of the bill passed the Senate and was sent to the House, where it was expanded and reintroduced for Senate approval. The Senate ultimately voted to pass the bill 35-13.
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