Juliana v. U.S. is a case brought by 21 young people, ranging in age from 11 to late teens, who are pursuing a suit against the federal government for the breach of their constitutional rights to live in a sustainable climate. They seek to make explicit the legal obligation of the USA government to change course on their energy policies now. The US govt. must stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, presumably to be replaced by a clean energy infrastructure across our land. What a brilliant tactic to sue the US govt.! We all know that you have to pursue every avenue in our work-legal, political, legislative, personal, boycotts-and I applaud their efforts. When Cinematters at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan announced a screening of the movie about their case-Youth v. Govt.-I signed up immediately. I expected the movie to be compelling and even moving. Did I imagine that I would end up sobbing? Nope.
The young people were so committed, well informed and articulate about the many ways in which their lives were already being impacted by climate (hurricanes, drought, fires) and so determined, I wept. The lawyers working on their behalf were so fierce yet kind, and so determined, I wept. These are the people who call upon us to join them in their fierceness and determination-to keep on working together with them to save this planet.
I cried again while watching the numerous times their case kept getting delayed in the courts, hoped along with them when a judge ruled in their favor (to proceed with a trial which has yet to happen) and fumed watching them be deposed by DOJ lawyers who tried to intimidate them. The youth were NOT intimidated. They fought back, but at the same time they still managed to be kids who enjoyed mucking around, singing together and enjoying their time as a group. How could it be that it took these marvelous kids to stand up against this insanity?
The lawyers working on their behalf were also inspiring. A great scene in the film depicted the lawyers, after preparing for a crucial hearing in a hotel room conference table, get up, sing and dance, finding the energy together to face yet another courtroom, another judge, or three, knowing that the future of the 21 plaintiffs and the rest of their generation and ours, is at stake.
Where are they right now in this case that has yet to go to trial after 6 years? I received an email this week from the organization Our Children’s Trust that is continuing to work on this case:
“Juliana v. U.S., the landmark constitutional climate lawsuit brought in federal court by 21 youth against the U.S. government, are poised for significant results in the year ahead. Juliana v. U.S. continues to pursue their efforts to finally have their evidence heard in open court. For more than 6 years, these 21 youth have tenaciously and resiliently met every obfuscating effort of the prior administration, and now the current administration also, to prevent the facts of the U.S. government’s acceleration of the climate crisis from seeing the light of day at trial. We anticipate a ruling from the U.S. District Court in Juliana any day and are optimistic that the ruling will soon allow the children to present their constitutional evidence in open court at trial in federal court.”
To stay tuned and support their efforts, go to: https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org
I already have.
Ace Leveen,
JCAN NYC Co-Director