On March 13, community leaders and climate organizations, including Mothers Out Front gathered for a rally in Tarrytown, NY to defend New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). MOF Westchester Rivertowns took the lead, organizing a powerful rally that brought together families, students, environmental advocates, and elected officials. The event was hosted by local leaders Amy Hill and Jess Monette (MOF Northern Westchester), with heartfelt speeches from community members who are deeply invested in protecting climate policy.
Protecting Climate Law
Unfortunately, Governor Kathy Hochul has made clear her intent to weaken the CLCPA through budget negotiations, which would trap New Yorkers into decades of expensive and climate-damaging fossil fuels. As the Climate Scoping Plan shows, sticking to the law could save the state $115 billion and create over 300,000 clean energy jobs. We know that methane gas infrastructure is responsible for high energy bills. Implementing the Climate Law would provide a path to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally safe alternatives like heat pump systems, thermal energy networks, and more renewable energy.
During the rally Sasha Skon, a MOF Westchester Rivertowns member, gave a powerful account of why climate progress is personal for her. Sasha shared how electrifying her home and installing solar and battery storage eliminated their household utility bills for the past several months. She shared, “New York should be leading the way on climate action. I want my kids to have the joy one day of watching their own kids playing outside, breathing it all in. Let’s protect the air and outdoors for all of them. Protect the Climate Law.”
Youth Voices Out Front
Many voices raised concerns including State Assemblymembers Dana Levenberg and MaryJane Shimsky, Sleepy Hollow Mayor Marjorie Hsu, Sierra Club member Marilyn Elie and Sleep Hollow High School student Isabella Bencosme.
Isabella, president of Sleepy Hollow High School’s environmental club, spoke powerfully about the environmental harms her generation is witnessing, the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, the power and necessity of grassroots activism to create positive change at the local, regional and national levels, and the concern that is shared by other youth about this issue.
The power of youth activism can’t be understated. Children did more than attend the rally — they also fully participated. They ended the rally with an energetic chant:
“1,2,3,4 solar power give us more!
5,6,7,8 Hochul please don’t hesitate!
1,2,3,4 what are you all waiting for?
5,6,7,8 climate action just can’t wait!”
New York State was once a leader in fighting climate change. Now, it risks throwing that away in the era of Trump’s pro-fossil fuel agenda. But New Yorkers aren’t backing down. Parents, community members, legislators and students gathered to say we will not accept going backward.
Our children are counting on us.
Take Action in Albany
Organizations like Food & Water Watch, Climate Families Westchester, Sierra Club, and CCoHope Indivisible are also holding regional press conferences and organizing further mobilizations, including a mass mobilization in Albany on March 25th.
Join the upcoming event, Defend our Climate Law Emergency Rally, and let your voice be heard!
Take Action in NYC
Our friends at Climate Families NYC are holding a rally on March 30th in New York City to call on Governor Hochul to stand strong for our children’s health and future.
Join the upcoming event, NYC Rally to Protect NY Climate Law on March 30th!
Take Action Online
Use this easy email tool to send a message to Governor Hochul and your state legislators that we cannot afford to weaken our climate law.
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Photo credit: Angela Bruno Photography