Yesterday, The Children’s Trust attorneys met with U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken and Department of Justice attorneys for the U.S. government at a status conference in Juliana v. U.S. Today. Judge Aiken set June 25th as the date for oral arguments on the youth’s Motion to Amend their Complaint. In addition to setting the date for oral arguments, Judge Aiken also ordered the parties to convene for a settlement conference with U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Coffin. Noting that complex issues like the climate crisis will take all three branches of government to resolve, Judge Aiken told both parties to take advantage of the opportunity to work with this highly experienced settlement judge, not as a “ministerial step,” but with an expectation that each party brings their decision-makers and best efforts forward to see if there can be a court-supported resolution of the case. To date, despite claiming to be a “climate friendly” administration, the Biden administration has taken precisely the same position the Trump administration took in Juliana v U.S.: seeking to deny the youth access to the courts and thwart the youths’ ability to present evidence supporting their claims.
Next Steps
To listen in on oral arguments next month:
WHAT: Telephonic Oral Arguments in Juliana v. United States
WHEN: June 25, 2021 at 1:00 EDT / 10:00am PDT (Scheduled for two hours)
HOW: The week before the hearing, Our Children’s Trust will make public the phone number so that one can listen in as Our Children’s Trust attorneys for the Juliana 21 argue for their right to trial.
By Our Children’s Trust. May 14, 2021.
