Envision Spokane Press Release: Launching New Community Bill of Rights Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            

Contact: Kai Huschke
March 23, 2011                                                                                  

509.590.1385

kai@envisionspokane.org

SPOKANE – The citizen’s group Envision Spokane filed an initiative today with the City of Spokane to place a measure on the ballot that would amend the city’s charter with a Community Bill of Rights. Approximately 2,800 signatures must be gathered to qualify for the November 2011 ballot. The group has until July 8th to collect the needed signatures. The proposed Community Bill of Rights seeks to build a healthy, democratic, and sustainable Spokane through the recognition of rights for people, workers, neighborhoods, and the natural environment.

The amendments to the city’s charter would allow neighborhoods greater control over proposed development, strengthen protections for the Spokane River and aquifer, and protect workers constitutional rights. The Bill of Rights would also limit the legal powers of corporate interests when they try to interfere with the enforcement of these rights. The full language along with additional material on the Community Bill of Rights can be found at www.envisionspokane.org.

Over the past the past sixteen months the group has been discussing what to take from the defeat of the 2009 Community Bill of Rights. “Since the 2009 vote on Proposition 4, which put forward the first Community Bill of Rights for Spokane, more and more people from across the city have become involved in the conversation about our need to put the interests of the people of Spokane over special interests,” said Brad Read, president of the board for Envision Spokane.  He added, “The new Bill of Rights focuses on key issues of concern to people across the city – the need for neighborhoods to be able to determine their own future, the health of our river and our drinking water, and the rights of workers.”

Those who are interested in volunteering or hosting a house party should email info@envisionspokane.org.