Given the threats to our communities from major corporations anxious to extract gas which is tightly-embedded in the Marcellus Shale, learning how we can take back of our communities and safeguard our water and other precious resources is more important than ever. Democracy School teaches us skills and principles that help us protect and restore the rights of local communities to “the commons,” essentials for life which extend beyond private property: clean water, clean air, a safe and healthy ecosystem, and a viable economy for ALL people (not just for the far-away executives of multinational corporations).
Democracy School for the Southern Tier presents:
The Daniel Pennock DEMOCRACY SCHOOL
Friday evening November 13th & All day Saturday November 14th
at the Spencer Municipal Building, Main Street, Spencer, NY
Registration information: Eric (607) 277-0183 or Jamal (607) 425-5477
Do the rights of corporations to make a profit supersede the rights of citizens to health, safety and well-being? How and why do corporations have the power to over-ride the democratic will of the people? How can we use home rule to protect our rights?
This forum will examine the options that other communities are using to prevent damages caused by corporations to community, the economy and the environment.
Guest lecturer Ben Price from the Community Environmental Legal Defense fund will address this and more. For more information on the project visit www.celdf.org
The school runs Friday November 13th from 6pm to 9:30pm and Saturday November 14th from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The Spencer Municipal Building is located on Main Street, in the back of the library. Please call for directions. All attendees should bring a bag lunch on Saturday. Light refreshments will be provided. Two weeks before the school, attendees will receive a curriculum in the mail for reading prior to the school.
Some topics for discussion will include:
- What is Law? How is Law Used and for What Purpose is it Used?
- Traditional Organizing and Corporate Power
- A History of Peoples’ Movements in the United States
- From a Slave State to a Corporate State
- Building New Models of Organizing (The Pennsylvania Model)
- Our History of Collaterally Challenging Illegitimate Corporate Authority
- Reframing Single Issues by Rethinking Several Issues
- An Exploration of Jurisdictions and Arenas,
- Other Constituencies
- Critical Mass: Doing it Together and Building a Movement
- Groups Across the United States Applying New Models
- Discussion: How Do We Make Real the Promises of Democracy?
There is space for 20 students, the first 20 registrants. Tuition for the school is $150. Our effort is volunteer. All tuition goes directly to pay for the curriculum and the lecturers. Access to education is important.
If you cannot afford the full tuition, please send a check for the amount you can afford. We have a limited scholarship fund. If you support this cause and would like to contribute a donation, this will help us fund future classes and scholarships.
Please make your checks payable to our 501(c) 3 sponsor: Social Ventures Inc.
Be sure to write “Spencer Democracy School” in the memo.
[Because this is so close when the School will be held, call Eric (607) 277-0183 or Jamal (607) 425-5477 to confirm your spot or to ask any questions.]
Mail the completed registration form along with your check to:
Jamal Diboun
200 Nobles Hill Rd
Van Etten, NY 14889
Please indicate if you cannot attend this date but would like to attend a future school.
_____________________________________________________
Spencer Democracy School Registration Form
Name________________________________________________
Adderess_____________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Phone________________________ email__________________
Check enclosed for $________________________( ) check here if you need a scholarship
( ) Check if you would like to donate to our scholarship fund $______________________
( ) I cannot attend this date. Please contact me for a future school
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