Let the Youth Be Heard in their “Trial of the Century”!!

The “Trial of the Century” is going to be heard soon, after 3 years of attempts by the government to stop it, It was expected to start on Oct. 29th, but it appears, as of Oct. 28th, that Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts is saying that the Supreme Court needs a brief time to consider whether the whole court should weigh in on a procedural issue.  This is an extremely unusual decision. Latest information is HERE. So, now, this Rally becomes not the Celebration of the trial starting we were planning, but a Demand that the Youth Must Be Heard.

Oct. 25th Press Release from Our Children’s Trust with latest info: HERE

21 students want to be heard along with all the arguments, based in science, that our government has taken actions that deny them a “public trust” right to a future that includes THEIR right to life, liberty, and property. Back in December of last year the youth appeared at the Federal Appeals Court for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco, shown in the pictures here after their presentation on one the government’s attempts to block the trial on procedural grounds.

When the Trial begins it will be in federal district court in Eugene, Oregon.  It will be before a judge only (no jury). That judge just ruled last week that the gov’t’s latest attempt is not valid and that it should start on time. But with the Supreme Court deciding on this very last minute “pause”, there is now not time for the Pre-Trial Meeting of Parties to happen in time for the Trial to begin on Oct. 29th. So, some background:  This Juliana v US case is a lawsuit where the defendants are the heads of executive branch agencies (initially the Obama administration, now the Trump administration). The youth plaintiffs allege that, by exercising their sovereign authority over our country’s atmosphere and fossil fuel resources, the U.S. government defendants permitted, encouraged, and otherwise enabled the continued exploitation, production, and combustion of fossil fuels. These actions were taken with full knowledge that so doing would cause atmospheric CO2 concentrations to escalate to levels unprecedented in human history, resulting in a dangerous destabilizing climate system for our country and these youth plaintiffs.

So Let’s Stand Up for the right of the Youth to be Heard. Stop the delays and start the Trial.  It will be a supportive event that includes signs (we have quite a few), speeches and singing on Oct. 29th in San Rafael at 1002 4th St. near Arizmendi Bakery.  Let’s get the word out on social media using the hashtags #youthvgov, #LetTheYouthBeHeard”

Learn about it on the Youth Vs. Government website.  Click around even on top of that website to learn more.

For teachers there is a Classroom Kit HERE

And for those wanting to create posters to bring there is this Art Tool Kit HERE

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