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As the present government cracks down on restrictions on not only environmental policies and activist organizing, the youth climate justice group, known for popularizing the sweeping climate legislation, is broadening its goals to confront authoritarianism.

“Every day, the administration is consolidating control and undermining the Constitution,” wrote the group's lead organizer in an open letter. “What ordinary people do in the next few months will determine whether those in power can solidify control and turn this country into a exclusive domain for the rich and powerful.”

In contrast to most of the movement's previous work, its newer projects will not always focus on the climate crisis. But, a spokesperson explained that these actions aim to create a society where climate action is achievable.

“To win the bold action required to avert climate catastrophe, we’re going to need a nation where we have the right to protest and protest,” she said. “How are we going to win on environmental policy under authoritarianism?”

Key Focus Areas

• Campus organizing to urge schools to resist efforts to influence their academic programs and policies around political dissent.
• Rapid responses to administration use of military forces and border measures in urban areas, and efforts to “restrict our freedom of speech”.
• Training young activists to “identify authoritarianism” and resist it using non-violent methods.

The letter formalizes efforts already underway at the organization. Recently, the organization helped organize campus protests at multiple Washington DC colleges to oppose the deployment of the military reserves and harassment of organizers and migrant communities.

Furthermore, local chapters have been engaging in localized fights for free speech and immigrant rights. For example, at one university, organizers have focused on defending a respected university employee whose immigration status was canceled by the administration, causing the loss of his job after 20 years.

“To win a climate and jobs plan, climate justice, labor justice, racial justice, etc … we’re gonna need to overcome autocratic governance,” said a youth organizer participating with the campus group, who described the current political climate as an “unmatched expression of authoritarian rule”.

Future Plans

Future actions may involve nationwide movements to stop federal raids, support local leaders resisting government overreach, and actions to resist cuts to healthcare programs. The movement will also prepare for a mass youth action on 1 May 2028, coinciding with a call for a general strike.

The shift arrives following the group gained media attention when its activists stormed the office of a prominent political figure, demanding the swift elimination of fossil fuels, the establishment of quality employment, and the strengthening of public services across the US.

“This climate plan is essential for presenting an alternative vision from the one that current leadership is portraying,” they explained. “We’re going to continue discussing about that, keep fighting for that future, but in the short term, we need to also be confronting their assault on our neighborhoods and on our freedoms.”

This change also comes as climate concerns decline somewhat in priority of voter priorities in compared to economic issues, though data indicates the majority still support to draw down carbon output.

“I suspect you’re not going to see a lot of politicians using the word ‘environment,’ because people see that as a nice-to-have [concern], not a essential, and right now they’re in the must-have mode,” commented a former cabinet official.

Messaging Approach

In contrast to past political campaigns that focused on abstract ideas of democracy, the movement will focus on the need for sweeping reforms, including the exclusion of corporate interests such as the fossil fuel industry from government.

“We’re being explicit that yes, we need to protect rights to expression, [but] we also need to be serious about reforming our political system so that we are not in a situation where a leader like this leader can amass control in this manner ever again,” stated the co-founder.

This expansion occurs during an comprehensive attack from the federal government on both green protections and activist movements. Starting this year, the executive has reversed hundreds of climate regulations and eliminated incentives for clean energy.

Additionally, recent measures have labeled certain activist groups as “threats to security” and issued a directive aimed at controlling what the government calls a extreme internal “activist network”.

Last week, the leader also implied that a well-known philanthropist could face legal action for unstated charges. The organization had in the past received funding from foundations linked with the philanthropist.

“We will raise our voices against this authoritarian overreach,” declared the lead organizer.

The context is additionally highlighted by latest moves suggesting interest in a possible, legally questionable extended tenure.

“We are just seeing blatant disregard for our legal freedoms, and we must oppose that,” concluded the co-founder.