Legal | Civic Congress

Legal

Article I — Legal Protections and Independent Participation Notice

Whereas, the content, activities, and materials provided by Civic Congress LLC™ (operating as CivicCongress.US) and its affiliated initiative, the citizen-led Civic Congress, are intended solely for informational, educational, civic, and expressive purposes. The LLC is a private, single-member limited liability company, not a governmental entity, political committee, or campaign, and it holds no authority to govern, legislate, or act on behalf of any public office, agency, or government. Participation in any programs, discussions, content, or events associated with the LLC is entirely voluntary and protected under The Unites States Constitution and applicable law. All content reflects progressive, partisan, and opinion-based commentary; advocacy for direct democracy, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), environmental stewardship, human and animal rights, and social equality; and the rejection of authoritarian, discriminatory, or oppressive ideologies. The LLC does not solicit or process campaign contributions, and any personal partisan advocacy by its owner is legally separate from the LLC’s operations. Nothing published by Civic Congress constitutes legal advice, financial advice, government instruction, or professional guidance. Civic Congress is not an attorney, financial advisor, or election-law specialist, and all information is general, non-instructional commentary. Readers and participants are solely responsible for verifying applicable federal, state, territorial, and Tribal laws and ensuring their own compliance. All educational, civic, and advocacy efforts are independent, voluntary, symbolic, and expressive in nature, including any participation related to the commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary year and beyond or other civic initiatives:

Resolved, That—

For purposes of these instruments, notices, publications, disclaimers, or communications, the following names, titles, and designations shall be understood to collectively refer to the same citizen-led civic initiative organized and operated by Civic Congress LLC™: “Civic Congress,” “CivicCongress.US,” “@civiccongress,” “We the People,” as well as the pronouns “we,” “our,” and “us.”

Article II — Founding Principles, Civic Standing, and the Constitutional Right to Assemble

Whereas, Civic Congress LLC, operating as CivicCongress.US, honors the Liberty Tree as a symbolic metaphor for the living foundations of American civic life, recognizing that a nation’s liberty is sustained by deep and diverse roots; and whereas these roots represent the enduring contributions of Indigenous Nations and histories that preceded the United States, the civic assemblies and deliberations of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the constitutional foundations of representative democracy, and the continuing participation of the people; and whereas the fourth root of the Liberty Tree symbolizes Civic Congress as a voluntary, educational, and peaceful expression of modern civic engagement, strengthening the democratic tree without replacing its branches, institutions, governments, Tribal sovereignty, territories, or constitutional foundations; now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Civic Congress honors the many roots of liberty while encouraging each generation to participate in the ongoing growth of democracy:

Resolved, That—

Constitutional and Legal Foundations of Assembly: The right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for their common good, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances is secured under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and recognized as a fundamental liberty within democratic society. The Declaration of Independence affirms that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed and that the people retain the right to alter or abolish forms of government destructive of those ends, by lawful and peaceful means. Nothing herein shall be construed as an act of insurrection, sedition, or unlawful assembly; Civic Congress LLC convenes solely as a voluntary, educational, and expressive exercise of constitutional rights protected under U.S. law, including but not limited to the First and Tenth Amendments, Article I, Section 4, and applicable state constitutional provisions safeguarding direct democracy, initiative, and referendum. The right to assemble in such civic capacity has been upheld through historical precedent and jurisprudence as an essential expression of self-governance in a free republic.
Civic Congress LLC may use third-party service providers to facilitate its platform operations, communications, or data storage. All third parties are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of participant data in accordance with Civic Congress LLC Privacy Policy.
Participants retain the right to access, correct, or request deletion of any personal information they voluntarily provide. All participant data shared with Civic Congress LLC is used solely for educational, civic, and operational purposes. Civic Congress LLC will never sell, rent, or lease participant information to third parties for unsolicited commercial, political, or fundraising purposes. Participants may exercise their rights at any time by contacting the designated Point of Contact.
Any participant who provides information to external parties—such as keynote speakers, social media influencers, nonprofit partners, other presenters, or participants at Civic Congress LLC events—does so at their own discretion and assumes full responsibility for that sharing. Civic Congress LLC assumes no liability for the actions of third parties with whom participants voluntarily share information.
The Civic Congress recognizes that direct democracy traditions exist throughout the United States through varying forms of citizen initiative, referendum, and other lawful participatory processes established under state constitutions and laws. Examples include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as other jurisdictions that recognize forms of citizen participation through statewide or local democratic processes. These examples represent important milestones in the continuing evolution of civic participation in America. The Civic Congress acknowledges that direct democracy systems differ by jurisdiction and honors the broader principle that citizens have historically exercised lawful avenues to engage in self-governance alongside representative institutions.

Article III — Non-Governmental Status, Self-Governance, Governing Law, and Jurisdiction

Whereas, participation in Civic Congress LLC™ is entirely voluntary. The assembly operates as an educational, informational, and self-governance community-support platform dedicated to advancing direct democracy:

Resolved, That—

The following content represents civic commentary, educational material, and historical reflection. It is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice, and participants engage voluntarily in a symbolic civic capacity.
Civic Congress LLC™ collects only the minimum data necessary to operate CivicCongress.US and support lawful civic participation. Sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or financial account details, is never collected except as required for voluntary transactions (e.g., membership, merchandise). All information is stored securely and in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Participants may request deletion or correction of information at any time.
Participation and submission of information are entirely voluntary. Civic Congress assumes no responsibility for information voluntarily shared with third parties. All collected data is used exclusively to facilitate lawful civic engagement, educational initiatives, and community collaboration.
Civic Congress LLC™ possesses no governmental authority, enacts no binding laws or regulations, and functions neither as an agent, representative, nor employee of any government. All participants act independently in their personal capacities and remain fully responsible for their own statements, actions, and compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, territorial, and Tribal laws.
Civic Congress LLC™ is not a governing body, political institution, or government-recognized authority, and exercises no legislative, executive, judicial, or sovereign power. Participation confers no legal status, privilege, immunity, or jurisdictional power upon any person or organization, and creates no agency, employment, or representative relationship with any public entity.
All actions, statements, votes, certificates, publications, and proclamations issued by this assembly are advisory, educational, and expressive under the Constitution of the United States and shall not be construed as binding, official, or legally enforceable acts.
The names, titles, and seals used by this assembly are commemorative identifiers solely associated with Civic Congress LLC™ and are not official government insignia or historical reproductions. They do not imply or confer any governmental authority, status, or endorsement. (For historical reference, the First and Second Continental Congresses did not publicly establish or adopt an official seal.)
All proceedings — including any symbolic “elections,” “certifications,” or similar expressions of civic participation — are internal, educational, and voluntary. They do not substitute for or alter any public election, nor do they create any claim upon public office or governmental action.
The assembly claims no adjudicatory or enforcement authority and does not issue orders, judgments, or subpoenas. Any reference to a “Court of Public Opinion” is purely metaphorical and moral, not judicial.
Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. All materials are provided solely for purposes of civic education, historical reflection, and public discourse. No affiliation, approval, or endorsement by any governmental entity, organization, or candidate shall be implied without explicit written consent from such entity or person.
These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Civic Congress LLC™ is organized under the laws of California, and any dispute arising out of or relating to these terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the applicable parties.

Article IV —General Disclaimer and Legal Notices
Whereas, CivicCongress.US is maintained by Civic Congress LLC™ to provide educational, informational, and community-support resources for individuals interested in direct democracy, and whereas participation on this platform is entirely voluntary, this General Disclaimer and Legal Notices establishes the terms, limitations, and responsibilities of use, clarifying that Civic Congress LLC™ is not a governmental entity and that all users act independently in compliance with applicable laws:

Resolved, That—

Limits on Tracking and Profiling: No participant shall be subject to behavioral tracking, profiling, or data analytics beyond what is necessary to ensure security, technical performance, and user-requested communications. Civic Congress LLC™ does not supervise, direct, or control participants’ civic actions; all actions are voluntary, symbolic, and educational.
Legal and Educational Scope: Civic Congress LLC™ provides educational guidance, templates, and information, but does not offer legal, financial, or professional advice. Participants are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, including federal, state, territorial, and Tribal regulations.
Purpose & Scope: CivicCongress.US, operated by Civic Congress LLC™, is an educational civic platform providing information, templates, and tools to assist individuals in learning about and participating in lawful civic actions related to direct democracy, this site does not create legal obligations, confer governmental authority, or substitute for legal advice; all users act independently in their personal capacities and retain full responsibility for compliance with applicable local, state, federal, territorial, and Tribal laws.
Platform / Organizational Role: Civic Congress LLC™ is a private platform and facilitator (LLC). Citizens are the sole legal actors in any direct-democracy process; Civic Congress LLC™ provides resources and coordination only and does not act as a government, public official, or representative body.
Not Legal Advice / No Attorney-Client Relationship: Content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Use of Civic Congress LLC™ materials does not create an attorney-client relationship; users should consult qualified counsel regarding their jurisdiction.
Declaration & Notarization Disclaimer: Any declaration, affidavit, or notarized document provided by Civic Congress LLC™ is a voluntary, symbolic template; notarization is performed by a licensed notary (in-person or approved RON) at the signer’s responsibility. Notarization verifies identity and acknowledgment only and does not confer governmental authority or legal status.
State Law Variability & Voter Eligibility: Laws governing initiatives, referenda, petitions, notarization, and voter eligibility vary by state; users must comply with their local laws. Civic Congress LLC™ does not guarantee that any action is permitted in all jurisdictions.
Elections, Campaigning & Political Activity: User content on CivicCongress.US may be political in nature. Users remain solely responsible for complying with all applicable election laws, campaign finance regulations, and lobbying rules. Civic Congress LLC™ does not direct, fund, or officially endorse any candidate, campaign, or political party. As a private platform, Civic Congress LLC™ may feature keynote speakers, sponsors, nonprofit organizations, political causes, or political candidates; however, such inclusion does not constitute an endorsement, partnership, or any official affiliation. All participation and exposure are strictly voluntary and informational.
Support, Fundraising & Donations: Civic Congress LLC™ does not solicit or process donations on behalf of any speakers, sponsors, nonprofit organizations, political causes, or candidates unless explicitly authorized in writing. Any such contributions must be made directly through the respective organization’s official channels. Please refer to the External Links Disclaimer for related disclosures and applicable terms.
Sponsorships & Commercial Partners: Sponsors or partners may provide support and are disclosed publicly. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement or control over citizen actions.
Intellectual Property & Copyright: All original content, including text, graphics, templates, PDFs, and digital materials, is protected under U.S. copyright law. Personal civic and educational use is permitted; commercial reproduction, distribution, or modification requires prior written permission from Civic Congress LLC™. All trademarks and brand names remain the property of their respective owners. All works and applications submitted by Civic Congress LLC™ to the U.S. Copyright Office or Library of Congress—including, but not limited to, digital and physical materials such as the "Declaration of Independence for Rights of Citizen Representation and Direct Democracy"—are protected under Title 17 of the United States Code. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 506(e), any person who knowingly makes a false representation of a material fact in a copyright application or related filing may be subject to a fine of up to $2,500.
User Submissions & License: By submitting content (comments, declarations, uploads), users grant Civic Congress LLC™ a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, display, and archive submissions. Content must not infringe third-party rights or violate laws.
Privacy, Data Collection & Cookies: Civic Congress collects and uses data according to its Privacy Policy, including CCPA/CPRA compliance. Users may Contact Us at any time to exercise their opt-out or privacy rights.
Security & Storage of Uploaded Files: Uploaded documents are stored securely; users acknowledge that no system is risk-free. Retention and deletion follow the Privacy Policy.
Content Accuracy & No Warranty: Materials are provided “as is” without warranties of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Users should independently verify critical legal or procedural information.
User Conduct & Prohibited Content: Users must not post unlawful, defamatory, harassing, violent, or threatening content. Civic Congress LLC™ reserves the right to remove content and suspend or terminate accounts for policy violations.
Moderation, Reporting & Takedown: Civic Congress LLC™ moderates content under its Codes of Conduct. Violations may be reported through the Reporting Procedure; copyright or legal concerns follow DMCA and legal request processes.
Indemnification: Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Civic Congress LLC™ and its affiliates from claims arising from use, misrepresentation, or unlawful actions connected to site materials.
Limitation of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Civic Congress LLC™ disclaims liability for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages from site use, including civic actions taken based on site materials.
Savings Clause: If any provision is held invalid, the remainder continues; disclaimers, indemnities, and liability limitations survive termination.
Amendments & Notices: Policies may be updated or amended at any time without prior notice. Material changes will be posted publicly, and continued use of this site or its services constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
Children & Age Restrictions (COPPA & Applicable Laws): Services on CivicCongress.US are not directed to minors. Users must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority under applicable local law, up to 21 in some jurisdictions) to participate. Minors are prohibited from officially participating in any direct-democracy actions or processes on the platform, even with parental consent.
Export Controls & International Users: Users accessing CivicCongress.US from outside the United States are solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and restrictions in their country of residence, including, without limitation, import/export, data protection, and encryption regulations. Any transmission, download, or use of content from CivicCongress.US across national borders must comply with any or all applicable laws. Cross-border transfers of personal data are conducted in accordance with Civic Congress LLC™ Privacy Policy and applicable international data protection requirements. Civic Congress LLC™ assumes no responsibility or liability for violations of any or all applicable laws by international users.
Dispute Resolution & Class Action Waiver: Arbitration clauses or class action waivers may apply where disclosed; users will be informed of opt-out procedures in accordance with applicable laws.
Record Keeping & Archive Policy: Retention and archival of notarized declarations and uploads follow the Privacy Policy. Users may request copies or deletion in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Contact & Legal Notices: Users may Contact Us via email, text, or telephone. The official mailing address, including the address of the Registered Agent for service of process, is maintained on file with the California Secretary of State (search “Civic Congress LLC™” at sos.ca.gov) and is available upon request. These contact methods may be used for legal notices, DMCA takedown requests, or general inquiries.
LegalShield® Membership & Legal Protection: Civic Congress LLC™ is a member of LegalShield®, a membership-based service that provides small businesses, individuals, and families access to a network of independent law firms for legal consultations and document review. Small Business Legal Plans offer affordable access to a law firm for consultation on business legal matters, contract review, debt collection assistance, and other covered services, subject to the terms of the plan. All services are provided through independent provider law firms; and does not directly employ all attorneys.
Amendments, Publication, and Historical Dating: For purposes of transparency, historical record, and public understanding, Civic Congress LLC may identify and publish relevant dates, designations, amendments, and milestones documenting the creation, development, publication, and activities of the Company and its citizen-led Civic Congress initiative. Such records are intended to provide clarity regarding the origin, evolution, and purpose of Civic Congress LLC and shall serve as a historical and educational reference for participants and the public.

Article V— Direct Democracy Laws in the United States of America

Whereas, the right of citizens to participate directly in lawmaking through initiatives and referenda is recognized and authorized across numerous U.S. jurisdictions under varying constitutional and statutory frameworks:

Resolved, That—

As of this publication, twenty-six states and the District of Columbia provide for one or more forms of direct democracy, including the constitutional initiative, statutory initiative (direct or indirect), and veto referendum processes. The following represent the scope of citizen lawmaking authority throughout the United States: Alaska, Maine, and Massachusetts authorize indirect statutory initiatives and veto referenda; Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Dakota provide both constitutional and statutory initiative powers as well as veto referenda; District of Columbia grants similar initiative and referendum powers by local charter; Florida, Illinois, and Mississippi permit constitutional initiatives, though Mississippi’s process is presently inoperative following judicial review (In re Initiative Measure 65, 2021); Idaho, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming authorize statutory initiatives—some direct and others indirect—and veto referenda; Michigan recognizes constitutional initiatives, indirect statutory initiatives, and veto referenda; Nevada provides both constitutional and statutory initiatives on an indirect basis, as well as veto referenda; Maryland and New Mexico permit veto referenda only. These state-level provisions collectively demonstrate that the principles of direct democracy—citizen initiative, popular referendum, and constitutional amendment by petition—are deeply rooted within the constitutional tradition of the United States of America and remain a lawful, recognized, and enduring expression of the people’s right to propose, enact, or reject legislation independent of representative bodies.
Civic Congress LLC™ maintains reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards proportionate to its mission to protect participant information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Participants are advised to share only information they are comfortable making public within a civic or educational context.

Article VI — Paid Support & Participation

Whereas, Civic Congress LLC™ (operating as CivicCongress.US) uses various platforms for publishing, subscriptions, and optional paid support:

Resolved, That—

Civic Congress LLC™ is an educational, expressive, civic-engagement project and not a governmental entity, political committee, campaign, or tax-exempt organization. All subscriptions, payments, comments, participation, and engagement are voluntary, symbolic, and for educational or civic-expression purposes only. Various platforms processes payments through its own third-party providers. Civic Congress LLC™ does not store payment information, does not control various platforms technical systems or policies, and does not provide financial, legal, or governmental advice. Understand that such paid subscriptions may not be tax-deductible.
Participation—including free or paid subscriptions, comments, discussions, or submission of civic materials—is entirely voluntary and does not create ownership, partnership, financial rights, or decision-making authority over Civic Congress LLC™ operations or intellectual property. Civic Congress LLC™ content is educational, editorial, and opinion-based; participation does not grant influence over candidates, ballot measures, legislation, governmental decisions, or public policy. Nothing on such various platforms or CivicCongress.US constitutes legal advice, financial advice, or any form of official governmental action.
Payments and subscriptions may be processed solely through such various platforms and its providers, and are governed by the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of other various platforms not associated directly or indirectly with Civic Congress LLC™. Civic Congress LLC™ does not store payment information, does not control third-party fees, and does not guarantee such various platforms performances, liability or availability.
Comments, posts, discussions, and participation may appear publicly or be archived unless the participant opts out where applicable. Individuals are responsible for their own privacy and personal information. Civic Congress LLC™ is not liable for risks associated with voluntarily shared personal data.
Any optional handwritten participation—such as signing symbolic declarations—is voluntary and carries inherent privacy risks. Individuals are responsible for protecting their information, and Civic Congress LLC™ is not responsible for identity theft, fraud, or misuse stemming from voluntary public sharing.
Engagement with Civic Congress LLC™ does not create any contract, employment relationship, partnership, fiduciary duty, or agency relationship. All content and activities are educational, expressive, and symbolic in nature.
All branding, logos, names, digital products, written materials, and related intellectual property belong to Civic Congress LLC™ unless otherwise stated. Personal, non-commercial use is allowed, but reproduction, resale, or distribution requires written permission.
Any in-person or digital Civic Congress LLC™ activity is unofficial, educational, non-governmental, and symbolic. Participants agree to comply with all applicable laws, domestic and international, and various platform policies.

Article VII — Addendum

Whereas, this Legal Protections for Civic Congress LLC™ (operating as CivicCongress.US) seeks to operate as a for-profit educational and civic platform, organizing public events and providing paid membership, merchandise, and other contributions, while maintaining legal compliance, participant safety, and clear separation from any personal political advocacy:

Resolved, That—

All public and in-person events organized or facilitated by Civic Congress LLC™ (“Civic Congress”) are voluntary, symbolic, and educational in nature.
Participants attend at their own risk, and Civic Congress LLC™ assumes no liability for personal injury, property damage, or loss arising from participation.
Civic Congress LLC™ recommends that appropriate general liability and event insurance be maintained for all in-person or virtual events where risks of harm or property damage exist.
Waivers or release forms may be required for specific events, and all participants are expected to acknowledge that their participation is voluntary and independent.
Civic Congress LLC™ is a for-profit entity organized under California law.
All payments received through Memberships, merchandise, Shop contributions, or other paid offerings constitute revenue to Civic Congress LLC™ and are subject to federal, state, and local taxation.
No paid contribution, membership, or purchase confers ownership, equity, voting rights, or authority over Civic Congress LLC™, its content, or intellectual property.
Any personal political activity conducted by the owner of Civic Congress LLC™, or associated individuals, including social media advocacy or partisan commentary, is expressly separate from Civic Congress LLC™ and its operations.
Civic Congress LLC™ does not endorse, fund, or sponsor any candidate, political party, campaign, or ballot initiative unless explicitly stated in writing and compliant with applicable law.
Participation in Civic Congress LLC™ programs, including events or paid offerings, does not constitute political endorsement or contribution.
This Addendum supplements all previous disclaimers, privacy policies, and terms of Civic Congress LLC™.
Compliance with this Addendum is mandatory for any and all Civic Congress LLC™ programs, events, and paid offerings.
Any conflict between this Addendum and previous policies shall be construed in favor of maximum legal protection for Civic Congress LLC™ and its participants.
By participating in Memberships, paid programs, Shop purchases, event registration, or events, participants agree to the following:

Attendance is voluntary and for educational or civic-expression purposes only.
Participants assume full responsibility for their personal actions and compliance with all applicable laws.
Civic Congress LLC™ assumes no liability for any damages, loss, or disputes arising from participation.
Intellectual property, content, and materials provided by Civic Congress LLC™ are for personal, non-commercial use only, unless expressly licensed or permitted.
Participants may request reasonable removal of personal information or contributions, subject to the reality of operational and archival limitations.