Kids and Moms Take to the Streets this Mother's Day Weekend

by Jess Leber · 2011-05-06 10:47:00 UTC
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This Mother's Day weekend and into next week, kids and their moms will march together all across the country and all across the world to demand politicians protect the Earth for the next generation.

The iMatter March will mark a moment when the next generation — the kids today who can't yet vote or, for that matter, can't yet donate vast sums of money to influence lawmakers–makes the moral argument demanding our nation take meaningful actions to stem global warming and protect their future.  It's not too late to join a march. They want everyone—kids, moms, dads, uncles, grandparents, and anyone who cares about the health of the planet for young people today— to join. You can check out this site to find where a march near you will take place.

What's awesome is that the kids aren't only making a moral argument. They are also getting an early schooling in our legal system. Alec Loorz, the impressive 16-year-old who is leading this movement, is working with other kids and a legal team to file lawsuits against the U.S. government for its failure to act in every state in the country. They have gained a massive amount of media attention for their plans, which is based on the legal theory that "the government has failed in its duty to protect the atmosphere as a 'public trust' for future generations."

Follow Change.org's Environment page on Facebook or Twitter

Alec's organization Kids vs. Global Warming has started a really creative petition on Change.org asking people to sign in support of their lawsuit. The most important thing for you to do when you sign is to leave a comment, so that they can collect personal stories to file as a 'Friend of the Court' brief in their lawsuit. Already, they've collected more than 1,000 signatures, and we hope there are a lot more gathered this weekend as the marches take place.

Alec, by the way, will be spending this Mother's Day with his mom, Victoria Loorz, who is by his side helping with the organization of the marches. Where will you and your mom (or kids) be this mother's day?

Consider joining a march, and signing the petition to protect the atmosphere for many more kids to come.

Follow Change.org's Environment page on Facebook or Twitter

Jess Leber is a Change.org editor. She most recently covered climate and energy issues as a reporter in Washington, D.C

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