Last week over 50 students from across Maryland gathered in Annapolis to demand their elected officials make Maryland a national leader and pass the Global Warming Solutions Act. In the morning the students rallied with Governor O’Malley, received lobby training, and then stormed the halls of the state house.
One of my favorite parts of the day was when Michelle Cleveland, a University of Maryland freshman, told a crowd of cheering students at the rally, “As a young person who will live on this planet for many years to come, I feel it is crucial that we do our part to preserve it. Young people today have a strong voice and demand that we commit to addressing global warming right now, before it’s too late. We want twenty-five percent reductions by 2020. That’s what we need to preserve our future and we won’t settle for anything less!”
I had the pleasure to accompany the students on some their lobby visits. A highlight was the student lobby meeting with Delegate Dereck Davis’s Chief of staff, Jim Casen. (Del. Davis is the influential Chairperson of the House Economic Matters Committee).The students prepared for the meeting beforehand on Lawyers Mall, divided the roles between the 16 person lobbying entourage, then bristling with confidence walked to their appointment. There were so many of us excitedly packed into the little room in the Delegate’s office anxiously awaiting the Chief of Staff. The students spoke strongly of how this would boost Maryland’s economy by creating thousands of new green jobs for the state. They also testified to their personal concern for their future. Their concerns were well received when Mr. Casen told the entourage that “the Delegate is fully on board.” Success!
For more on the lobby day here is a press release written by Alicia, a Montgomery county high school student. Just download it here and send to your school newspaper.
The story doesn’t end there! Now back in district the students have been actively organizing letter writing events, call in days, and phone banks to keep the pressure on. Last night alone Towson University got 30 handwritten letters to their state delegates. Keep up the good work!
