On Saturday Oct. 22, We The People of Cheltenham and Transition Cheltenham will be hosting a most unique event, The Daniel Pennock Democracy School. This full-day class teaches attendees about how we arrived at the current state of our government and what we can really do to bring the government back to the hands of the people.
The course covers the roots of democracy and takes attendees chronologically through history, explaining each step that has led us to this point in time. It explains, in detail, how corporations have been allowed to garner so much influence thanks to decisions made by our founding fathers, legislators and the Supreme Court.
The Democracy School is incredibly important for people who are interested in grassroots organizing and returning the power of government to the people. It contains the knowledge needed for people to self-govern, especially in their local communities.
"Although our right to self-government in the communities where we live is absolute, Pennsylvania's attorney general, speaking to the Court of the Commonwealth has said that, 'there is no inalienable right to local self-government, '" according to Ben Price of CELDF. He goes on to say, "Even consent of the governed is denied as a right, as people throughout the state learn firsthand when they attempt to oppose the siting of gas drilling rigs, landfills, factory farms...and the like in their communities."
Ben Price of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund is the class facilitator. CELDF has been instrumental in helping Cheltenham citizens in their fight for self-governance as well as other communities around the country. They also helped the country of Ecuador write their new constitution which includes a legally enforceable clause entitled The Rights of Nature , guaranteeing that the ecosystem's right to exist and flourish cannot be impaired, the first country in the world to do so.
The $60.00 registration fee includes all course materials, continental breakfast and lunch, catered by Linda Jean's Griile. The class is being held at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Fernbrook and Kent Rds, Wyncote and runs from 8:30AM-5PM. Student pricing and scholarships are available. For more information or to register, please contact Monica Liggins at 215-572-6437 or Email address removed.
