11-02-2025
Hundreds of students rally on State House steps for climate action
After the noon rally, students met with more than 100 state legislators to advocate for a number of bills. Among them were
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'Legislators need to listen to us and look at what's important here, how these bills will help not just the environment but the overall environmental justice movement,' said Vinh Nguyen, a 17-year-old student at Boston Latin School.
Sebastian Lemberber, 18, who goes to school in Andover, spoke about the importance of the rally as a show of democracy while the Trump administration
'As our opportunities to fight climate change within the federal government are cut off by the annihilation of the civil service, we need a functional state government more than ever,' Lemberber said, advocating for the bill that would reverse the state legislature exemption
Seneca Smith, a 15-year-old student at Four Rivers Charter School, spoke in favor of the farm to school bill. Smith said switching school lunch providers from corporate to local farmers will help lower emissions and create a more generative economy.
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Another bill would create an advisory committee that would determine which state communities suffer most from air pollution and reduce it by 50% by 2030 and by 75% by 2035. Vi'Shon Ginyard, 18, said he supports the bill because of his experience with asthma.
'This bill means something to me on a deep level because it can truly change the future of our community for people like me…especially for people born with asthma,' he said. 'I don't want my little brothers, my little cousin, my neighbors, your children, your family [to have to live like this].'
According to the
The rally is part of the Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition's 2025 Youth Climate Lobby Week. Last fall, the coalition successfully helped advocate for the
Cars honked and people cheered as they drove by the group of students gathered on the State House steps. Attendees said they were hopeful after seeing the number of people who came out to the rally.
'I'm glad everyone's here today lobbying and able to talk to legislators — I often feel like policy is the base of change and nothing's going to move without policy,' said Naomi Francis, an 18-year-old student at Olin College.
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After the noon rally, students met with more than 100 state legislators to advocate for a number of bills.
Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
Emily Spatz can be reached at
