In 2015, 21 youth and their organizational and legal partners filed a constitutional climate lawsuit: Juliana v. United States, against the U.S. government. Their complaint asserts that, through the government's affirmative actions that cause climate change, it has violated young people's constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property, as well as failed to protect essential public resources. You may also have heard about the Held v. State of Montana trial– the first ever children's constitutional climate trial in the U.S – which just wrapped up in Montana.
The DOJ has clearly heard about Juliana, Held, and all the other cases asserting young peoples' Constitutional right to a safe, livable climate. As a President who claims to be a climate leader and America's #1 grandpop, you'd think that President Biden would allow the youth to be heard and have their day in court – especially since that's what a Judge just ordered!
But this motion to dismiss is just a first step to prevent or delay a federal trial. Attorneys at the DOJ told us last week that they haven’t yet decided whether they will file another petition for Writ of Mandamus if they fail to win their motion to dismiss – so we still have time to act!
Send an email to the Department of Justice right now telling them to let the youth be heard!
Thanks for taking action,
Drew and the 198 methods to end an era crew
PS After you've signed, you may want to spread the word on social media, using this Don't Mandamus Toolkit! We are in a critical window for action before the DOJ responds again. Help reach a goal of 10,000 emails sent by June 30th!