Elliot Cohen was raised in New York City. In the late 1970's and early 1980's he was active in the New York City SHAAD Alliance, an anti-nuclear group that helped prevent the opening of the Shoreham nuclear plant on Long Island. He also helped SHAAD organize to protest both the Indian Point nuclear plant and Wall Streets support of the nuclear industry. He participated in many energy related public hearings and became a "party" to the New York State Energy Master Planning Process. Elliot received his undergraduate degree at NYU and worked on Environmental Policy issues for New York City Council Member Ruth Messinger before graduating from law school and practicing law for seven years. In 1997 he moved to Berkeley California, where he helped organize a Northern California coalition to protest the launch of Cassini, a spacecraft that was powered by a 72 ton plutonium battery. Elliot then served for ten years as Commissioner for the City of Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission, which had jurisdiction over Berkeley's Nuclear Free Zone ordinance. After citizens rejected a City Council re-districting plan by petitioning for a voter referendum Elliot drafted another plan that was unanimously adopted in slightly modified form as Berkeley's 2002 re-districting plan. Today Elliot lives in New York, where enjoys following politics and writing. He also enjoys reading about politics, history, law, environment, socially responsible investing and gardening. He is the author of "Memories of Barbara George" and occasionally publishes on ElliotsReport.com