A Publication of theNew Hampshire Community Rights Network Educating and empowering communities and elected officials about our individual and collective right of local self-governance in order to secure and protect the inherent and unalienable rights of all inhabitants of New Hampshire to economic, social and environmental justice, including the rights of nature.
COMMUNITY = CONNECTION
Even in Times of Physical Distancing
COVID-19 is an Opportunity to
BE THE CHANGE We Want to See
Friends, Partners, and Supporters,
On behalf of the NH Community Rights Network (NHCRN), we hope you and your loved ones are safe, healthy during this difficult time.
The NHCRN talks a lot about community and now, more than ever, we need to demonstrate what that means. This is a crucial time for us to share resources, support one another, and protect those most vulnerable in our communities.
Like most positive change - it can all start with you!
Here are some simple things you can do to uplift your community:
Try to take only what you need; share with others who may not be able to afford the essentials - especially while off work
Support working parents by offering childcare - even those who may be working remotely right now - a break is always appreciated as we adjust to these changes
Create or locate a mutual aid group for your area on social media
Check-in on high-risk and vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family members - give them a call and see what they need (errands/supplies)
Assist parents with homework help, using online tools or phone calls, who may not be knowledgeable in every one of their children's subjects
Call, write, e-mail your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors - social distancing is meant to reduce unnecessary physical contact - but we can still support one another with good conversation, encouragement, and reassurance
Use this time to connect by email or phone with community members to have discussions about issues the community is facing beyond this immediate crisis. In other words, use this time to plan events and outreach once this quarantine is over. (See below)
Resources are scarce and it's easy to feel isolated. Do what you can to safely offer support, ask for help when you need it, and practice self-care and recommended health guidelines. Do not put yourself or others at risk.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” ~ Coretta Scott King
Continuing the Community Rights
Movement During a Crisis
It's important we keep our efforts active and engaged, but we also need to make sure we are taking care of our well-being and stress.
Continue to collaborate and brainstorm with available online tools - conference calls, video meetings, interactive social media posts, and collaboration tools are available online through FreeConferenceCall, Zoom, Skype and Google. Social Media is a great platform to share stories, start fundraisers, and engage with your followers and team members with Facebook Live meetings and group chats.
Consider starting a "remote" book club, where several of your neighbors read the same book or article and then get on a conference call and have a discussion. Get to know your neighbors through Nextdoor! Discover local musicians that go live with their music from their living rooms!
Democracy Schoolexplores the limits of conventional regulatory organizing and offers a new organizing model that helps citizens confront the usurpation by corporations of the rights of communities, people, and earth. Lectures cover the history of people’s movements and corporate power, and the dramatic organizing over the last decade in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Oregon by communities confronting agribusiness, the oil and gas industry, corporate hegemony over worker rights, and others.
The Community Rights Movement is all about strengthening the rights of self-determination for a sustainable future, with the vision of government being driven from the grassroots of communities to their representatives of their General Court, to the federal branches of government.
GRASSROOTS RBO ACTION
What is the 'Right to a Healthy Climate' Ordinance?
Maura Fay, Erin Steckler, and Joan Pratt from Citizen Action for Exeter's Environment talk about Exeter's 'Right to a Healthy Climate' ordinance.
THOSE AFFECTED BY GOVERNING DECISIONS SHOULD BE THE ONES MAKING THEM
Direct action through local lawmakingJoin the growing number of communities that are taking direct action, through local lawmaking, to enumerate their right to protect the health and safety of all residents and ecosystems from industrial harms and governmental interference with Rights-Based Ordinances (RBOs).
Residents must act locally to protect health, welfare Residents must act locally to protect their health, safety and welfare, and defend their water, land and air from corporate polluters who are poisoning our children and destroying Mother Earth!
The Transformation from Reformist to Revolutionary Community Rights is not about begging or pleading. Community Rights is advancing, securing, and protecting both the rights of the people to democratically self govern and recognizing the Rights of Nature to flourish and be healthy too.
ADDITIONAL VIDEOS OF INTEREST...
Growing Roots and Rights for Just Communities Hear stories from people and activists all over Ohio about how they have gotten involved in Community Rights to create the just communities they envision. Recorded September 2018 in Columbus at the Growing Roots and Rights Conference.
Pet Interviews - Guinea Pig Laughter is a medicine! Enjoy this humorous video of an interview with a Guinea Pig :-)
Your DONATIONserves to protect New Hampshire's human and natural communities from social, economic, and environmental injustice.
Consider becoming a sustaining NHCRN supporter today.
Your monthly donation will ensure the vitality and growth of
NH's Community Rights & Rights of Nature movement.