Legal ​

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Article I — Purpose and Intent of Civic Congress Self-Governance

The Third Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—is a voluntary, citizen-led assembly. It is not a government body and holds no governing authority. Its mission is to uphold constitutional rights and to strengthen and expand lawful direct democracy within the representative system. The Civic Congress promotes initiatives, referenda, popular assemblies, and other lawful forms of citizen participation, uniting “We the People” across the States, the Federal District, the Territories, and the Tribal Nations of the United States. Only individual citizens legally registered to vote may act in an official capacity when filing, sponsoring, or signing ballot initiatives, referenda, or recalls, in full compliance with applicable state and federal election laws:

Resolved, That—

1.For purposes of these instruments, the name(s) The Continental Congress of the United States of America (“We the People,” “The People,” “The Continental Congress,” “The Continental Congress Project, LLC,” “Continental Congress Project,” “The Third Continental Congress,” “The Civic Congress,” “Civic Congress,” “civiccongress.us,” “Direct Democracy Movement,” “Project 2026,” “Nationwide Initiative Marking The 250th Anniversary Of The United States,” “we,” “our,” “us”) shall denote the same nonpartisan, citizen-led assembly of the people, convened for the promotion of direct democracy.

2. This Civic Congress is lawfully protected under the Constitution of the United States, including—but not limited to—the First, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments, and exists as a peaceful forum for public deliberation, education, petition, and civic participation.
3. This Civic Congress operates as a direct-democracy forum of Citizen Delegates.

4. In spirit and purpose, this assembly continues the legacy of self-governance from the First Continental Congress (1774) and the Second Continental Congress (1775–1781), which met in peaceful deliberation, petitioned for redress of grievances, and defended liberty; the Third Continental Congress (2026) carries the tradition of self-governance forward.
5. The rights of assembly and petition—foundational to any functioning direct democracy and firmly recognized within the constitutional jurisprudence of the United States—belong inherently to the people and are not privileges granted by government. Accordingly, the Civic Congress is neither a political party, nor an electoral campaign, nor a governmental body, but a voluntary citizen assembly exercising these rights in lawful, peaceful, and educational form.
6. The current mission of the Civic Congress is solely to foster lawful civic self-governance, public dialogue, and national deliberation, promoting direct democracy within the constitutional rights of We the People.
7. Among its methods, the Civic Congress may issue proclamations, employing standardized templates created by the Civic Congress, which any elected United States official may voluntarily sign or endorse anywhere in the country. Such endorsements are strictly symbolic and voluntary; they do not constitute law, regulation, or official government action. Officials remain responsible for complying with applicable ethics rules, and their participation does not imply governmental funding, authority, or formal support. Civic Congress Proclamations are intended solely as ceremonial acknowledgments or educational tools, and all legal power and decision-making remain fully with We the People.

8. Purpose of Structure; The Continental Congress Project, LLC, is organized as a limited liability company to ensure broader legal protection, neutrality, and flexibility in featuring, hosting, or collaborating with vetted nonprofit organizations. Any nonprofit entity featured or linked shall retain its separate legal status and handle its own funding directly. The LLC shall not collect, manage, or distribute funds intended for nonprofit purposes, but may reference or feature such organizations for civic education and public benefit.

9. 26 states, as well as D.C., allow citizen initiatives or referenda (direct democracy); citizens who live in one of those jurisdictions may be able to lawfully sign or sponsor a petition — rules differ by state via ballotpedia.org:

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• CI = citizen Constitutional Initiative (can put constitutional amendments on the ballot)

• SI = citizen Statutory Initiative (citizens can propose statutes)

• VR = Veto / Popular Referendum (citizens can ask voters to repeal laws passed by the legislature)

• Indirect = petition process is indirect (goes to legislature first)

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

Whereas, the legacy of the Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress, and at times referred to as the Third Continental Congress—may be analogized as a third trunk of the Liberty Tree, rooted in the labors and sacrifices of the nation’s founding ancestors; and whereas, from this trunk extends the Civic Congress as an unofficial yet historically grounded “fourth branch” of direct democracy, embodying constitutionally protected avenues by which the people have long exercised, and shall continue to exercise, rights of direct democracy; and whereas, such participation is intended solely as voluntary, symbolic, and educational civic expression, and not as a governing body with binding legal authority:

Resolved, That—

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1. In spirit and purpose, this assembly continues the legacy of self-governance from the First Continental Congress (1774) and the Second Continental Congress (1775–1781), which convened in peaceful deliberation, petitioned for redress of grievances, and defended liberty. The Civic Congress, as the modern Third Continental Congress (2026), carries this tradition forward. From these historic roots, a new civic trunk has lawfully grown as citizens renew the spirit of liberty in the lead-up to, and beyond, the 250th anniversary of Independence. This Civic Congress is a peaceful exercise of First Amendment freedoms—including, but not limited to, assembly, speech, and petition—advancing voluntary expressions of direct democracy. Modeled on the First and Second Continental Congresses, it continues the legacy of self-governance, marking over two and a half centuries of democratic tradition.

2. The analogy herein is symbolic and educational only, conferring no governmental status, authority, or binding legal effect. The Civic Congress exists as a voluntary, nonpartisan assembly, through which the principles of direct democracy extend via local and national civic gatherings, empowering citizens to exercise constitutional rights, deliberate collectively, and engage in civic measures that reflect the will of the people. The Constitution guarantees the people’s right to assemble, deliberate, and petition in pursuit of a more perfect union; this Congress operates solely as voluntary civic participation, not sovereign power. It may discuss matters of national, state, local, or, when relevant, international significance, provided all deliberations remain peaceful, respectful, and lawful. This assembly affirms rights fully protected by the Constitution and organizes them as voluntary expressions of direct democracy, not governmental authority. All activities described herein are conducted within constitutional rights and do not bind, limit, or confer authority upon government institutions.

3. All practical applications of these principles shall be voluntary, non-coercive, and peaceful.

4. Core Rights of Direct Democracy (Voluntarily Exercised by Citizens)

(i) Freedom of Speech — protecting every person’s right to express ideas truthfully and lawfully without fear of censorship or reprisal.
(ii) Freedom of the Press — defending the free flow of information essential to a self-governing people.
(iii) Peaceable Assembly — ensuring the right to gather, deliberate, and be heard in public life.
(iv) Petition & Redress — affirming the right to seek remedy of grievances as a cornerstone of accountable democracy.
(v) Public Forum — creating open, inclusive spaces for civic dialogue across communities and perspectives.
(vi) Oversight — safeguarding transparency and holding leaders and institutions accountable through lawful civic monitoring.
(vii) Freedom of Information — promoting public access to records, proceedings, and decision-making consistent with legal standards, supporting civic education.
(viii) Public Education — advancing civic literacy, historical understanding, and informed participation to sustain a knowledgeable citizenry capable of exercising direct democracy.
(ix) Court of Public Opinion — exercising moral and social judgment through informed civic discourse, advocacy, and public conscience, distinct from judicial authority.
(x) Social Justice — promoting fairness, equity, and opportunity across economic, political, legal, and cultural systems, ensuring meaningful civic participation for all citizens.

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Article III — Non-Governmental Status

Whereas, this assembly is a voluntary, peaceful, and citizen-led forum, and whereas it neither holds nor seeks any office or recognition as an organ of government:

Resolved, That—

1. The Continental Congress is not a governing body, political institution, or government-recognized authority, and it exercises no legislative, executive, judicial, or sovereign power.
2. Participation confers no legal status, office, privilege, immunity, or jurisdictional power upon any person or organization, and creates no agency or representative relationship with any public entity.
3. No act of this assembly shall bind any person, court, or public body; and no statement, vote, certificate, or publication herein shall be construed as an official act of government.
4. All statements, proceedings, and communications are advisory, educational, or expressive under the Constitution and shall not be interpreted as legally binding or enforceable in any governmental sense.
5. The names, titles, and seals employed are modern commemorative identifiers, not governmental insignia nor historical reproductions, and shall not be used to imply official status, endorsement, or authority.
6. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice; materials are for civic education and public discourse, and participants remain responsible for compliance with applicable law.
7. All “elections,” “certifications,” or similar processes conducted by this assembly are internal and symbolic, do not substitute for or alter any public election, and create no claim upon public office or action.
8. The assembly claims no adjudicatory power: it does not issue orders, judgments, or subpoenas; any reference to a “Court of Public Opinion” is metaphorical and moral, not judicial.
9. No affiliation or endorsement by any governmental entity or candidate shall be implied absent an explicit, written statement from such entity or person.
10. Nothing in this Article diminishes the people’s rights of speech, press, assembly, and petition; any future change in status could arise only through formal constitutional or statutory processes, which are not the present mission of this assembly.

 

Article IV — First, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments — Legal Protection

Whereas, this initiative proceeds wholly within the rights guaranteed to the people by the Constitution of the United States—including, but not limited to, the First, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments—and stands as a peaceful exercise of speech, press, assembly, petition, and other rights retained by the people and reserved from government encroachment:

Resolved, That—

1. The Continental Congress constitutes a lawful exercise of civic rights, including, without limitation:
   (i) peaceably assembling;
   (ii) petitioning the government for redress of grievances;
   (iii) expressing political, moral, and civic opinion;
   (iv) engaging in association, deliberation, and community organizing; and
   (v) proposing non-binding reforms and initiatives for public consideration.
2. These freedoms have been repeatedly affirmed in the constitutional jurisprudence of the United States, including, but not limited to, illustrative decisions such as NAACP v. Alabama (1958) (recognizing the freedom of association), New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) (protecting robust public debate and a free press), and United States v. Cruikshank (1876) (acknowledging that the right of the people peaceably to assemble does not derive its existence from the Constitution), among others; such references are provided for educational purposes and do not constitute legal advice.
3. This assembly claims no governmental power and functions solely as a peaceful, educational, and participatory civic forum, sustaining a longstanding American tradition of citizen engagement and constitutional petition.
4. Any formal legal recognition or governmental authority can arise only through independent, lawful, and democratically sanctioned processes—such as a constitutional amendment or explicit statutory enactment—which are not the present mission of this assembly.
5. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or waive any rights retained by the people under the Ninth Amendment, or powers reserved to the States or the people under the Tenth Amendment, or any other rights or powers retained under the Constitution.

6. Certain protections are maintained through LegalShield®, but this does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create any endorsement, sponsorship, or legal partnership. This notice is provided solely to clarify the protections of the Civic Congress and to safeguard its operations.

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Article V — Inclusivity and Civic Eligibility

Whereas, The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—is a peaceful, voluntary, non-governmental civic assembly, protected under the First, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments; and whereas, the integrity, safety, and inclusiveness of this assembly require both open access for participants acting in good faith and the lawful exclusion of actors acting in bad faith:

Resolved, That—

1. Participation in this assembly is a constitutionally protected civic exercise, grounded in the rights of speech, press, peaceable assembly, association, and petition; and this body is nonpartisan and citizen-led, claiming no governmental authority.
2. Only living human beings may serve as delegates, voters, or decision-making members. Corporations, artificial-intelligence systems, automated agents, or other non-human legal entities shall not be recognized as delegates or voters, nor exercise decision-making authority. (Assistive technologies may be used for accessibility but shall not substitute for a human participant.)
3. Participation is open to all living human beings aged eighteen (18) years or older who act in good faith and within peaceful, lawful, and respectful civic engagement, consistent with the Standing Rules and Codes of Conduct.
4. Right to Lawful Participation and Protection from Bad-Faith Actors. The assembly may lawfully exclude or remove any person, group, nonprofit, or entity acting in bad faith or engaging in unlawful, disruptive, deceptive, unethical, violent, or harmful behavior. Such exclusion may occur with or without prior notice when necessary to protect participants or infrastructure, with prompt notice provided where practicable and access to review under the Standing Rules:
   (i) impersonation or fraudulent representation;
   (ii) harassment, threats, intimidation, or coercion;
   (iii) sabotage, doxxing, tampering, or security compromise;
   (iv) incitement or acts of violence;
   (v) misuse of seals or false implication of governmental status;
   (vi) conduct intended to undermine peaceful, lawful deliberation.
5. Subject to the age requirement of eighteen (18) and compliance with the Codes of Conduct, no person shall be excluded from participation on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship status, income, or educational background. This assembly affirms and respects the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other applicable federal and state protections.
6. The assembly shall endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations, plain-language materials, language access, and accessible formats to ensure that every qualified participant may access and participate fully in the digital and in-person civic experience.
7. The rights of peaceful assembly, free association, and civic self-governance are longstanding in American constitutional practice; this assembly exercises those rights lawfully, in continuity with historic civic conventions and people-led movements.
8. Participation herein does not confer legal office, governmental privilege, or jurisdictional power; all acts and communications of this assembly are advisory, educational, or expressive, and not legally binding in any governmental sense.
9. Anyone may participate as a Founding Member by providing monthly financial support or purchasing official merchandise, whether as a citizen or non-citizen, as an act of symbolic participation in support of the Project. However, Citizen Delegates shall consist solely of individual United States citizens who participate in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws governing direct democracy. Such Delegates act independently under the laws of their respective States or Territories and are not agents, representatives, or employees of The Continental Congress Project, LLC.

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Article VI — Organizational Independence and Disassociation

Whereas, The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—is a voluntary, peaceful, and citizen-led assembly; and whereas, clarity of affiliation and protection of identity are necessary to preserve independence, integrity, and public trust:

Resolved, That—

1. No individual, organization, or entity shall claim formal affiliation, representation, or authority with or for The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—absent explicit recognition granted through transparent, publicly disclosed protocols.
2. Any statement of affiliation, partnership, endorsement, or representation requires prior, written authorization in the form prescribed by the Civic Congress; absent such writing, no claim shall stand.
3. The names and styles of The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—and all related logos, domains, and accounts are civic identifiers; they shall not be used to suggest governmental status, confer public office, or imply official endorsement.
4. Seals and symbols employed herein are modern commemorative emblems, not governmental insignia nor historical reproductions; their use is limited to permitted civic purposes and shall not be altered or deployed to mislead, to fundraise deceptively, or for private, political, or commercial gain without authorization.
5. Any unauthorized claim of representation, misappropriation of identity, or misuse of the names, seals, emblems, symbols, or likenesses—including impersonation, deceptive branding, spoofed domains or accounts, or passing off—is expressly prohibited.
6. Upon a violation, the Civic Congress may issue public disavowal, withdraw recognition, demand cease-and-desist or takedown, restrict access to forums and platforms, and, where necessary, seek lawful remedies consistent with applicable law.
7. The Civic Congress maintains full organizational independence and operates under no direction or control of any external institution, political party, religious body, corporation, or government agency.
8. Acceptance of donations, in-kind support, or services (if any) confers no control over deliberations, agendas, or outcomes; funders and sponsors shall have no special privileges and must comply with seal/brand rules.
9. Recognized affiliates and Citizen Delegates shall disclose any conflicts of interest, adhere to the Nonpartisan Pledge as intended in the practice of direct democracy, and comply with the codes of conduct and transparency standards established in the Standing Rules.
10. The Secretariat shall maintain a public Registry of Recognized Affiliations, Licenses, and Delegations, and shall duly record any suspensions or revocations made for cause.
11. Any merchandise or commercial use bearing Civic Congress seals or symbols must conform to brand and seal guidelines, avoid implying governmental status, and include any required disclaimers; violations may result in disavowal and other remedies herein.
12. Nothing in this Article limits lawful fair use, news reporting, scholarship, or commentary, provided that such use does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or official status.

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Article VII — No Legal or Professional Advice

Whereas, this assembly is a peaceful, voluntary, and citizen-led forum devoted to civic education, public deliberation, and expressive activity; and whereas, it is not a provider of professional services:

Resolved, That—

1. All communications, publications, and proceedings of The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—are offered solely for civic, educational, and expressive purposes.
2. The Continental Congress Project, LLC, is organized as a limited liability company to ensure broader legal protection, neutrality, and flexibility in featuring, hosting, or collaborating with vetted nonprofit organizations. Any nonprofit entity featured or linked shall retain its separate legal status and handle its own funding directly. The LLC shall not collect, manage, or distribute funds intended for nonprofit purposes, but may reference or feature such organizations for civic education and public benefit.
3. Participation in, or correspondence with, this assembly does not create an attorney–client, accountant–client, physician–patient, therapist–client, fiduciary, or any other professional relationship.
4. Individuals remain responsible for their own affairs and are encouraged to consult licensed professionals in their jurisdiction for guidance specific to their circumstances.
5. References to laws, cases, policies, or procedures are illustrative and educational, and shall not be relied upon as authoritative legal counsel or opinion.
6. Materials are provided “as is,” without warranty as to completeness, accuracy, or timeliness; the Civic Congress undertakes no duty to update past statements.
7. In emergencies or crises, persons should contact appropriate emergency services or qualified professionals; this assembly does not provide emergency, clinical, or legal-representation services.
8. Links or citations to third-party resources are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement; the Civic Congress is not responsible for the content or practices of external sites or entities.
9. Nothing in this Article limits the people’s rights of speech, press, assembly, and petition, nor converts this assembly into a governmental or professional advisory body.

10.Whereas the advancement of direct democracy depends upon lawful understanding and equal access to justice, be it known that while the Civic Congress does not officially endorse, recommend, or enter into partnership with any specific legal service or counsel, it acknowledges the importance of accessible legal assistance for all citizens. One such provider, LegalShield, offers affordable legal services to individuals seeking to exercise, defend, or expand their democratic rights within the several States of the Union. This Article is provided solely for educational and civic purposes, and does not constitute legal advice or create any partnership, agency, or representation. It neither supersedes nor substitutes the constitutions, statutes, or lawful authority of any State or Territory. Citizen Delegates are reminded to act within the bounds of law, and at their own responsibility, in all matters pertaining to the exercise of these rights.

11. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, financial, tax, medical, mental-health, or other professional advice.

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Article VIII — Amendments, Publication, and Historical Dating

Whereas, the faithful keeping of records strengthens the confidence of the people; and whereas, the course of history is best told when the dates of conception, adoption, amendment, and publication are each plainly distinguished:

Resolved, That—

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1. Authority to Amend.
   This Civic Congress may, from time to time, amend or replace these Terms, and may update, correct, or remove content of the site, so that the record may remain accurate, clear, and in keeping with law.

2. Dating Conventions.
   Each instrument shall bear, in the order set forth below, such dates as apply:
   (i) Adopted (Effective) Date — the day the text was formally agreed upon and put into force;
   (ii) Amended Date(s) — the day or days when revisions were made and published;
   (iii) Origin (Conception/Drafting) Date — a historical note marking when the ideas were first set down;
   (iv) Published Date — the day the text was first made known to the public;
   (v) Scheduled Date — the day appointed for a future gathering or event, dependent upon the participation of the people;
   (vi) Updated Date — the day when any informational updates or clarifications were added to the text without altering its substantive content.

3. Historical Notation.
   (i) The Origin Date may precede adoption or publication.
   (ii) It is a record of beginnings only and carries no retroactive legal effect.
   (iii) Such dates shall be clearly marked, made in good faith, and supported where possible by drafts, notes, or testimony.

4. Safeguard Against Misuse.
   (i) No date shall be set down so as to mislead, to feign the force of government, or to suggest compliance with law where none exists.
   (ii) To prevent confusion, the Adopted Date shall ever be shown with greater or equal prominence than the Origin Date.

5. Notice of Changes.
   (i) The Civic Congress is not bound to declare each minor correction of spelling, format, or link.
   (ii) Only material changes—such as those that touch upon rights, duties, eligibility, elections, privacy, or disclaimers—shall require public notice.

6. Ledger of Revisions.
   (i) Material amendments shall be recorded upon a Freedom of Information or Public Changelog page, showing: the Adopted Date, Amended Date(s), Published Date, and, where used, the Origin Date; together with a brief account of the change.
   (ii) Supporting notes may be preserved, with private matter withheld.

7. Publication.
   (i) “Published” shall signify the first day the text was set before the public.
   (ii) If that day be uncertain, a fair estimate may be given, and if later proved mistaken, corrected with a parenthetical note and a corresponding Amended entry.
   (iii) To mark routine web postings of no substance, a modest footnote may be added: “Last posted to web (no substantive changes): [date].”

8. Plain Rule of Reliance.
   (i) Amendments take effect upon their posting.
   (ii) Continued use thereafter is acknowledgment of the revision.
   (iii) Historical notes do not alter rights, duties, or deadlines under law.

9. Terms Made Plain.
   For the sake of record, remembrance, and transparency, the following dates and designations are set forth. They mark the origin, amendment, publication, and convening of this project, so that all citizens may plainly know its course and purpose:

   (i) Adopted – March 19, 2018
   Formation of the California LLC; in remembrance of the first International Women’s Day.

   (ii) Amended – August 26, 2025
   Working title formally changed to The Continental Congress Project, LLC; on Women’s Equality Day.

   (iii) Origin – January 6, 2021
   The catalyst for the project, arising in response to the events at the U.S. Capitol.

   (iv) Published – July 4, 2025
   Release of the website and public record; on Independence Day.

   (v) Scheduled – July 4, 2026
   The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—shall unofficially commence its third session as a voluntary civic assembly during the anniversary year of 2026, in the lead-up to and following the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Meetings will occur predominantly online at civiccongress.us and associated social media platforms, using #CivicCongress (@civiccongress) to ensure continuous participation regardless of location. Optional in-person attendance may include nationwide Liberty Tree Gatherings (e.g., direct democracy gatherings and civic discussions; traditional Fourth of July picnics) and sessions at historically significant sites (e.g., Wuksachi Lodge, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California), held at the discretion of participating Civic Delegates.

   (vi) Updated – September 17, 2025
   Operating Agreement of LLC; on Constitution Day.

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Article IX — On the Independence of Citizen Delegates and Limitation of Liability

Whereas, participation in this assembly is voluntary, non-governmental, and undertaken at the discretion of each individual, the Civic Congress offers information and forums “as is,” without creating legal duties or professional relationships. The strength of self-governance rests upon the initiative of the people themselves, and whereas lawful participation must arise from voluntary civic engagement. Be it declared that The Continental Congress Project, LLC neither initiates, manages, directs, nor completes any petition, ballot measure, or other direct democracy action within any State or jurisdiction. The responsibility for lawful participation in such activities rests solely with the individual Founding Members, Citizen Delegates, Honorary Delegations or Community Collaborators who, of their own free will, choose to exercise their civic rights in accordance with the constitutions and statutes of their respective States. All acts undertaken in pursuit of direct democracy shall therefore be independent and self-directed, carried out by citizens acting in their own capacity and at their own discretion. The Continental Congress Project, LLC, and its affiliates, officers, organizers, or representatives, shall not be construed as organizers, sponsors, or principals of any official petition, campaign, or election activity, nor shall they be held liable for any independent actions, statements, or outcomes resulting therefrom. The Project provides only educational, informational, and organizational resources intended to promote civic literacy, lawful participation, and transparent public engagement. Each participant acts at their own risk, assumes full personal responsibility for compliance with applicable laws, and acknowledges that their actions do not create any employment, agency, or fiduciary relationship with The Continental Congress Project, LLC:

Resolved, That—

1. Participation in any event, platform, communication, or publication of The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—is entirely voluntary and undertaken at each participant’s own discretion and risk.
2. To the fullest extent permitted by law, all content and services are provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of accuracy, completeness, timeliness, availability, security, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
3. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Civic Congress, its volunteers, delegates, organizers, affiliated civic groups, and service providers disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including (without limitation) loss of data, lost profits, damage to reputation, business interruption, emotional distress, or other injury arising out of or relating to participation, reliance, access or inability to access, use or inability to use, or any action taken (or not taken) based on Congress materials.
4. The Civic Congress shall not be liable for the acts, omissions, content, policies, outages, breaches, or representations of third-party platforms, vendors, hosts, payment processors, or linked resources; links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement.
5. Participation or communication with the Civic Congress does not create an attorney–client, physician–patient, fiduciary, agency, partnership, or other professional or representative relationship; no duty of care is assumed beyond good-faith civic administration.
6. The Civic Congress shall not be liable for delays, failures, or damages caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including outages, cyberattacks, data-center failures, natural disasters, labor disputes, or governmental actions.
7. Nothing herein shall exclude or limit liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law, including for willful misconduct or fraud; in jurisdictions that do not allow certain limitations, this Article shall apply to the maximum extent permitted.
8. Where permitted by law, a participant’s sole and exclusive remedy for any dispute with the Civic Congress shall be to cease participation and discontinue use of its platforms and materials.
9. The limitations, disclaimers, and exclusions set forth in this Article shall survive any termination of participation, changes to policies, or amendments to these instruments.

 

Article X — Citizen Delegates Participation Guidelines

Whereas, this assembly is a voluntary, peaceful, and citizen-led forum; and whereas, its integrity depends upon decorum, honesty, safety, and respect; and whereas, participation herein does not create governmental office or authority:

Resolved, That—

1. All participants shall act with mutual respect, integrity, civility, and nonviolence, engaging in good faith and welcoming reasoned disagreement.
2. Participation in the Civic Congress confers no legal standing, governmental office, public authority, or special status of any kind, nor any agency or representative relationship with a public body.
3. All contributions (statements, proposals, votes, or publications) are expressive, advisory, and educational; they are not legally binding in any governmental sense.
4. Threats, intimidation, incitement, or acts of violence are prohibited; de-escalation and safety protocols shall be followed at all times, whether online or in assembly.
5. Harassment, hate speech, targeted abuse, or exclusion on protected grounds is strictly prohibited, consistent with the Inclusivity & Civic Eligibility provisions and applicable civil-rights laws.
6. Impersonation, deception, coordinated misinformation, or tampering with processes is prohibited; participants should strive for accuracy, offer sources where practicable, and welcome corrections.
7. Personal data (PII) shall be protected; doxxing and unauthorized disclosure are prohibited. Recording of meetings requires notice and consent, consistent with FOI policies and local law.
8. Violations may result in, but are not limited to, warning, restriction, removal, or disassociation. Where practicable, notice and an avenue for review shall be provided under the Standing Rules.
9. By participating, individual citizens accept these guidelines together with related Codes of Conduct; these provisions survive amendments and apply across all Congress forums and events.

 

Article XI — Symbol Usage and Intellectual Property

Whereas, the name, seals, emblems, and associated symbols of The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress—identify a voluntary, citizen-led assembly and require protection against misuse; and whereas, original writings, media, and artworks are the property of their creators or the Civic Congress:

Resolved, That—

1. The seals of the Third Continental Congress are modern commemorative symbols of civic participation, not historical reproductions, as the First and Second Continental Congresses adopted no official seals. The 2026 seal is symbolic and anticipatory only, as no such body has yet been elected or formally recognized. All such designs are protected civic emblems and shall not be used as governmental insignia, nor misrepresented to imply legal authority, official status, or public endorsement. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
2. Seals, emblems, and likenesses employed herein are modern commemorative civic symbols, not governmental insignia or historical reproductions; their use for unauthorized political, legal, commercial, fundraising, or promotional purposes is expressly prohibited.
3. No use of any name, seal, emblem, or symbol shall imply governmental status, endorsement, or authority, nor affiliation with any public office, party, candidate, or agency absent prior written authorization.
4. All original content, documents, media, and artwork are the intellectual property of their respective creators or the Civic Congress and may not be altered, reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior consent, except as expressly licensed on a particular work.
5. Any authorized use shall comply with published brand and seal guidelines, preserve accompanying disclaimers and version/date notices, and include required attribution and link to the official record where practicable.
6. Impersonation; deceptive branding; spoofed domains or accounts; synthetic or manipulated media used to deceive (including AI-generated likenesses or voice clones); and passing off—together with any use likely to confuse, mislead, or deceive the public—are prohibited. Violations may result in public disavowal, takedown requests, revocation of permission, and lawful remedies.
7. Merchandise bearing Civic Congress symbols requires written authorization and must not suggest governmental status or endorsement; quality controls and disclaimers specified by the Civic Congress shall be observed.
8. Contributors shall warrant that materials they submit do not infringe third-party rights; the Civic Congress may remove infringing content upon notice and, where appropriate, notify affected parties.
9. Nothing in this Article limits lawful fair use, news reporting, scholarship, critique, or non-misleading commentary, provided such use does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or governmental authority.
10. Licenses, permissions, and revocations of significant public interest may be recorded on the Freedom of Information page, with narrow redactions for privacy or security.
11. This Article shall remain in effect unless amended in accordance with the Standing Rules, and all historic amendments shall be publicly documented.

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Article XII — Direct Democracy and State Initiative Rights

Whereas, the right of the people to petition their government for redress of grievances is secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and whereas, the several States, by their constitutions and statutes, have variously provided means by which the people may legislate directly through initiative, referendum, or recall:

Be it resolved, That—

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Section I. Federal Limitation.

Direct democracy within the United States is not established by the Federal Constitution, nor administered by Congress, but proceeds wholly from the constitutions and laws of the several States. No federal provision creates a national initiative or referendum; thus, every lawful exercise of direct democracy must conform to the authority of the State in which it is invoked.

 

Section II. Distinction of Processes.

(i) Statutory Initiative — a process whereby citizens propose a statute to be enacted by popular vote.
(ii) Constitutional Initiative — a process whereby citizens propose an amendment to the State Constitution.
(iii) Veto or Popular Referendum — a process whereby citizens petition to place before voters a statute enacted by the legislature, to approve or reject it.
(iv) Indirect Initiative — a process whereby a petition first goes before the legislature, which may enact or decline it; if declined, it may proceed to the ballot.

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Section III. Limitation by Residence and Jurisdiction.

Only residents qualified to vote in a given State may lawfully sign, circulate, or vote upon initiatives or referenda therein. Those residing in States without a statewide process may yet exercise such rights, where allowed, within cities, counties, or local jurisdictions.

 

Section IV. State Enumeration.

As of this publication, twenty-six States and the District of Columbia recognize some form of citizen initiative or referendum, as follows:

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​Alaska — Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
Arizona — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Arkansas — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
California — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Colorado — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.

District of Columbia — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Florida — Constitutional Initiative (amendment only).
Idaho — Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Illinois — Constitutional Initiative (limited).
Maine — Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
Maryland — Veto Referendum only.
Massachusetts — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
Michigan — Constitutional Initiative, Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
Mississippi — Constitutional Initiative (present in law, functionally inoperative due to district rule).
Missouri — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Montana — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Nebraska — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Nevada — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
New Mexico — Veto Referendum only.
North Dakota — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Ohio — Constitutional Initiative, Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
Oklahoma — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Oregon — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
South Dakota — Constitutional & Statutory Initiative, Veto Referendum.
Utah — Statutory Initiative (direct & indirect), Veto Referendum.
Washington — Statutory Initiative (direct & indirect), Veto Referendum.
Wyoming — Statutory Initiative (indirect), Veto Referendum.
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(Sources: Ballotpedia, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2025 compilations.)

 

Section V. Variables of Lawful Exercise.

The several States differ in their requirements for the lawful exercise of direct democracy, including—
(i) the number and geographical distribution of valid signatures required (commonly 5–15 percent of votes cast in a prior statewide election);
(ii) the deadlines for filing, verification, and certification;
(iii) subject-matter restrictions, such as prohibitions on tax, appropriation, or multiple-subject measures;
(iv) administrative and judicial review of ballot language; and
(v) the vote thresholds required for adoption, whether by simple or supermajority.

 

Section VI. Recall Distinguished.

Laws permitting the recall of elected officers are separate and distinct from initiative or referendum powers, and vary by State as to which offices may be subject to recall and under what conditions.

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Section VII. Continuing Duty of Verification.

Because laws and court rulings are in continual change, citizens and organizers are admonished to consult their State’s official election office, current statutory code, or the most recent authoritative compilations (e.g., Ballotpedia.org, NCSL) before undertaking any petition, filing, or signature campaign.

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Section VIII. Plain Summary for We the People.

At present, twenty-six States and the District of Columbia recognize the initiative or referendum in some form. Citizens residing therein may, subject to law, propose, amend, or repeal legislation by popular vote. Those in other States may still petition or organize locally.

 

Section IX. Educational and Non-Binding Character.

Whereas the advancement of direct democracy depends upon lawful understanding and equal access to justice, be it known that while the Civic Congress does not officially endorse, recommend, or enter into partnership with any specific legal service or counsel, it acknowledges the importance of accessible legal assistance for all citizens. One such provider, LegalShield, offers affordable legal services to individuals seeking to exercise, defend, or expand their democratic rights within the several States of the Union. This Article is provided solely for educational and civic purposes, and does not constitute legal advice or create any partnership, agency, or representation. It neither supersedes nor substitutes the constitutions, statutes, or lawful authority of any State or Territory. Citizens are reminded to act within the bounds of law, and at their own responsibility, in all matters pertaining to the exercise of these rights.

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Article XIII — Third-Party Content

Whereas transparency requires the clear distinction between this Civic Congress and all independent entities; and whereas public understanding is best served when third-party resources are identified solely for informational and educational purposes: be it declared that the Civic Congress may, from time to time, reference external organizations, services, or publications whose missions align with the advancement of civic knowledge and direct democracy. Such references are made without endorsement, compensation, or formal partnership, and are presented only to assist citizens in obtaining lawful guidance, research materials, or civic tools deemed of public benefit:

Resolved, That—

1. Inclusion of any link, citation, logo, excerpt, or reference does not constitute endorsement, affiliation, sponsorship, or approval, nor a representation of accuracy.
3. The Civic Congress is not responsible for third-party content, statements, data practices, security, outages, or policy changes, and makes no warranties as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or legality.
4. Links and references are provided for convenience and public record; they may be updated, replaced, or removed without notice.
5. Participants and readers are encouraged to conduct independent review and verification of external resources and, where practicable, to consult primary sources.
6. When visiting external sites, users are subject to the third party’s terms and privacy policies (including cookies, tracking, data collection); the Civic Congress does not control these practices and advises caution.
7. If any linked resource is alleged to be unlawful, infringing, or materially misleading, the Secretariat may, at its discretion, review the matter and remove or replace the reference where appropriate. Notices regarding such concerns may be submitted through the official Civic Congress website.
8. Framing, scraping, deceptive mirroring, or any presentation of third-party materials that implies affiliation, endorsement, or official status is prohibited.
9. Where a material relationship exists with a referenced third party (e.g., sponsorship, service provision), the Civic Congress shall disclose such relationship where practicable and consistent with FOI and privacy safeguards.
10. This Article shall be read in harmony with Article XI (Symbol Usage & Intellectual Property) and Article IX (Limitation of Liability) and shall remain in force unless amended pursuant to the Standing Rules.

 

Article XIV — Governing Law

Whereas, this assembly proceeds as a peaceful, voluntary, and non-governmental exercise of the people’s constitutional rights; and whereas, it seeks to operate in faithful compliance with applicable law:

Resolved, That—

1. This initiative of direct democracy operates under, and is governed by, the Constitution of the United States of America, including—but not limited to—the First, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments.
2. All activities shall be carried out in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and nothing herein authorizes unlawful conduct.
3. The assembly’s speech, press, peaceable assembly, association, and petition activities are undertaken as protected expressive conduct consistent with longstanding constitutional jurisprudence.
4. To the fullest extent permitted by law, United States law shall govern any dispute arising from participation in or interpretation of this initiative, its publications, platforms, or proceedings.
5. To the extent permitted by law, disputes shall be brought in the courts of the United States (federal courts); where federal jurisdiction is unavailable, in the courts of competent jurisdiction within the United States applying federal constitutional principles.
6. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to confer governmental authority, create a public office, or waive any party’s constitutional rights; participation does not create an agency, partnership, fiduciary, or professional relationship.
7. If any provision of this Article is held unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, consistent with governing law.
8. No failure to enforce any provision shall constitute a waiver of that or any other provision; rights and defenses are preserved to the fullest extent permitted by law.
9. This Article shall be read in harmony with all other Articles and related provisions, and shall remain in effect unless amended pursuant to the Standing Rules.

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Article XV—Historical Context and Comparative Practice

Whereas, the founding era circulated common sense pamphlets, letters, and treatises beyond the walls of Congress, such links may benefit the Civic Congress:

Resolved, That—

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1. Civic Congress includes public-interest links to major civic and political fundraising platforms, notably ActBlue.com, widely recognized as a primary tool used by organizations and movements aligned with the “No Kings” initiative (i.e. Mobilize.US, etc.). These references are provided solely for informational and educational purposes, in accordance with permissions granted by their respective publishers. In recognition of the significant role in supporting transparent and lawful civic engagement, the Civic Congress may predominantly reference such related link(s) when addressing matters of political fundraising, without implying any official affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship.

2. CivicCongress.US operates on an honor-based Founders Membership system supporting the hosting, outreach, and coordination led by The Continental Congress Project, LLC. Its ongoing mission is to build the largest recognized grassroots coalition in the nation, enabling community participants, contributors, and coordinators to collaborate and help sustain the project as they are financially able. In tribute to America’s independence and the upcoming 250th anniversary, membership is set at $17.76 per month and is open to all who uphold the principles of civic responsibility, lawful engagement, and ethical collaboration for trinity rights — human, environmental, and animal rights.

3. CivicCongress.US is owned and operated by The Continental Congress Project, LLC, a for-profit hosting entity providing a good-faith socially conscious and honor-based civic platform for logistical and outreach support; as part of our commitment to sustainability, 1.5% of every membership fee is contributed via Stripe Climate to support innovative carbon-removal projects, membership and merchandise is not tax-deductible.

4. Independent Volunteer Contributors are not “volunteers” in the nonprofit sense with respect to The Continental Congress Project, LLC, due to applicable labor laws. Instead, they are considered Community Collaborators, Civic Engagement Partners, or, when participating for educational purposes, Unpaid Civic Interns. All such participants must review, understand, and sign — with notarization — a Community Collaboration Agreement acknowledging that their role is civic and collaborative in nature, not employment-based, and intended solely to help advance a lawful public-interest purpose.  

5. Mission-aligned external links — aside from those used for membership fees, merchandise, or other transactions for profit — are provided strictly for reference, research, public benefit, and educational purposes. Linking or referencing such sources does not imply endorsement and remains subject to their respective licenses. Founding Members may, at their own discretion, choose to support or donate directly to vetted featured speakers during sessions. The Continental Congress Project, LLC may express political opinions, support partisan causes and issues, or partner with vetted, mission-aligned nonprofit organizations protected under free speech, but cannot directly collect, handle, or process any form of external funding. Accordingly, all funds separate from The Continental Congress Project, LLC must go directly to the official link(s) of those respective entities. 

6. ​The Honorary Delegations list is provided for transparency; all invitations are listed alphabetically and remain unofficial until written acceptance is received. 

7. The Democracy Maps provided by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) (mapresearch.org) are expressly offered for free public use and may be embedded on external websites, with automatic updates reflected as MAP maintains its site. Civic Congress uses these resources solely for lawful, educational, and noncommercial purposes to broaden access to civic information on democracy, Indian Country, equality, and civil rights. All such materials remain the property of their respective organizations, and their inclusion does not imply endorsement of this assembly by MAP or any other publisher. MAP counts only states that allow direct citizen initiatives (i.e., petitions that go directly to the ballot via citizen signatures, without requiring the legislature to act first). Their figure: 19 states for direct initiatives. Other sources count any state that allows some form of citizen ballot measure — including initiatives (direct or indirect) and veto/referendum (citizens can repeal laws or place constitutional amendments) — yielding the higher number (often 26 states + D.C.). The discrepancy arises because of different definitions of “direct democracy” or “initiative/referendum”. Some include all citizen-direct tools, others only “direct initiative” (bypassing legislature) as MAP does.

8. Wikipedia.org is provided for reference and research; linking or referencing it does not imply endorsement and remains subject to its license.

9. The website and social media may contain links to external websites or platforms not operated by us; we neither control nor endorse such resources, and engagement with them is at the user’s discretion. All official Civic Congress social media channels are published under the handle @CivicCongress, unless specifically provided otherwise through our linktr.ee hub (our modern “Liberty Tree”). This centralized hub continues the historic inspiration and tradition of the Liberty Tree by connecting our civic community across platforms. Any external links are provided for informational purposes only. CivicCongress.US does not necessarily endorse all third-party content linked from these platforms. Use of such links is at your own discretion, and by accessing them, you agree to abide by both the terms of our site and the respective platform. Third-party websites, platforms, organizations, and authors are fully independent of The Continental Congress of the United States of America—styled the Civic Congress, which exercises no control over their content, policies, or operations.

10. Certain protections are maintained through LegalShield.com®, but this does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create any endorsement, sponsorship, or legal partnership. This notice is provided solely to inform the public of such services and to clarify the protections of the Civic Congress and to safeguard its operations.

11. Any and all linked external resources—whether named or unnamed and used for transactional, operational, or informational purposes (including but not limited to Zoom.com, Stripe.com, Wix.com, Godaddy.com, and Ballotpedia.org)—are provided solely for public reference and functionality. Linking to or referencing such third-party services does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship by the Civic Congress or The Continental Congress Project, LLC, and all such platforms remain subject to their respective terms, licenses, and policies.

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Article XVI— Definition of Founding Membership and Civic Roles

Whereas, the proper distinction of roles preserves lawful order and transparency in civic participation; and whereas, the Continental Congress Project, LLC exists to advance lawful civic engagement under the protections of private enterprise, rather than the restrictions of nonprofit designation:

Resolved, That—

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1. Founding Members shall be defined as individuals or entities who provide recurring financial support to The Continental Congress Project, LLC. Their contributions sustain the civic operations of the Project. Founding Members are recognized as private supporters and not as owners, employees, or agents of the LLC.

2. Citizen Delegates shall consist solely of individual United States citizens who participate in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws governing direct democracy. Such Delegates act independently under the laws of their respective States or Territories and not as agents of the LLC.

3. Honorary Delegations may include civic organizations, educational institutions, or sponsors who support citizen engagement. Honorary Delegations may encourage, educate, or fund participation but shall not act in the place of an individual citizen in any direct democratic process, including the signing, filing, or submission of ballot initiatives, referenda, or petitions.

4. Community Collaborators are unpaid contributors, civic partners, or interns who assist the Project in a voluntary civic capacity. They are not volunteers in the traditional nonprofit sense and not employees under labor law. All Community Collaborators must sign a notarized Community Collaboration Agreement affirming that their service is strictly for civic and educational purposes and fully complies with applicable labor laws.

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Article XVII — Point of Contact

Whereas, this initiative seeks to establish an enduring civic assembly, not merely a symbolic event; and whereas, orderly correspondence is essential to lawful inquiries, public education, citizen deliberation, and press communication; and whereas, designating a point of contact creates no governmental office or legal agency, but serves solely to support the active participation and consent of the self-governed, and the advocacy of direct-democracy processes:

Resolved, That—

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The following individual is designated as Madam Chair & Founding Civic Engagement Liaison and primary Point of Contact for this civic assembly, tasked with facilitating citizen engagement, supporting lawful proposals and initiatives, and ensuring open channels for participation in deliberation and civic education in direct democracy:

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Brooke Teal Robbins
Madam Chair & Founding Civic Engagement Liaison

Website: CivicCongress.US 
Email: civiccongress@gmail.com
Phone/Text: 805-698-6386

Social: @CivicCongress
Hashtag: #CivicCongress
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