On February 11th, SAFE and Salem youth joined hundreds of young people from across Massachusetts to advocate in favor of climate justice bills for Lobby Day 2025
By Brielle Laurent
This year’s Lobby Day, presented by the Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition (MYCC) and
Our Climate MA, boasted a record-breaking turnout from all over Massachusetts. SAFE and North Shore students joined this years youth-run event. The day was captured by the Boston Globe and CBS news, and showcased the progress that can be made when passionate young people take action.
The day began with participants marching from North West Church to the Massachusetts State
House. There were powerful chants and dozens of posters and signs demanding climate action
and awareness. Once the group reached the MA State House, youth activists made passionate
speeches and shared some of the details of the bills that they were advocating for, such as climate
education and ending gas expansion. Energy was high and the anticipation growing.
Once speeches were finished, smaller groups broke off according to district and headed to meet
with legislators. The Salem group consisted of SAFE members, local high school students, and
their teachers. The first meeting was with Senator Joan B Lovely, who graciously agreed to co-
sponsor the majority of the priority bills presented, including the Preventing Gas Expansion bill
(HD.3428, SD.2088), the Polluter Pay Climate Superfund (HD.872, SD.481) and more. The
second meeting was with Representative Manny Cruz, who kindly agreed to co-sponsor bills like
the Farm to Schools bill (HD.1043, SD.841), Air Quality bill (HD.1924, SD.1086), and will be
exploring information on the other bills that were presented to him. Both of the legislators were
enthusiastic about climate justice and education, and are eager to continue working with Salem
youth in order to pursue these issues further.
Thanks to the work of MYCC, Our Climate MA, Salem youth, and Salem legislators, Lobby Day 2025 was a major success that has helped to build momentum in the climate movement. Here are the MYCC priority bills and here are the Mass Power Forward priority bills, if you would like to write or call in support of climate justice.
Brielle Laurent is SAFE’s Spring Communications Intern.