Countdown to Trial:
On March 13, 2020, 16 young people from across Montana filed their constitutional climate lawsuit, Held v. State of Montana, against their state government. These young Montanans assert that, by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system that causes and contributes to the climate crisis, Montana is violating their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment; to seek safety, health, and happiness; and to individual dignity and equal protection of the law. This youth-led climate lawsuit also argues that the state’s fossil fuel energy system degrades and depletes Montana’s constitutionally protected public trust resources, including the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, fish, and wildlife.
The 16 youth plaintiffs are represented by Nate Bellinger of Our Children’s Trust, Melissa Hornbein of the Western Environmental Law Center, and Roger Sullivan and Dustin Leftridge of McGarvey Law.
This historic trial – the first children’s climate trial in U.S. history – will begin on Monday,
June 12, 2023, in Helena, Montana, and will conclude Friday, June 23, 2023.
Due to the courtroom’s limited capacity, the plaintiffs will be hosting a livestream event each day of the trial at alternating locations in Helena including The Myrna Loy, the Holter Museum of Art and at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. For updates on these locations, sign up at www.youthvgov.org/join or follow facebook.com/youthvgov.
Events
Youth v. Gov Screening and Discussion
Community screenings of Youth v. Gov as a kickoff party in support of the courageous Montana youth plaintiffs in the Held v. Montana trial
- Billings Climate Week | June 7th | 5:30-8:30pm | Pub Station
YOUTH v GOV is the story of the Juliana v. The United States of America constitutional lawsuit and the 21 American youth, ages 14 to 25, who are taking on the world’s most powerful government. Since 2015, the legal non-profit Our Children’s Trust, has been representing these youth in their landmark case against the U.S. government for violating their constitutional rights to life, liberty, personal safety, and property through their willful actions in creating the climate crisis they will inherit.
Stay tuned for more details on events hosting a livestream of the trial.
Learn More
- In Montana, It’s Youth vs. the State in a Landmark Climate Case | New York Times
- Sixteen Kids are Fighting the Climate Crisis in Court | Rolling Stone
- “All Eyes on Montana” | Held v Montana Community Meeting
- Youth lawsuit challenging Montana’s pro-fossil fuel policies is heading to trial | AP News
- Why Montana is emerging as a must-watch climate battleground | Washington Post
- A Climate Trial in Montana Sets the Scene for More | LegalPlanet
Full list of media coverage can be found here.
