Racing Extinction at PVCC
Deadra Miller, online editor
On Oct. 15, student activist Kibiriti Majuto gave a speech at the One Book event on Racing Extinction: Youth Movement for Climate Justice. Majuto is not just a student but an activist for Virginia-based organizations such as Virginia Student Environmental Coalition and others.
Majuto has been in touch with different teenagers across the United States in regards to the pipeline projects and how they affect communities. Majuto mentioned how he supports and looks for more supporters to help with the Youth vs. Government case in Portland, Oregon on Oct. 29. Our Children’s Trust is involved, which is a group of 21 young Americans who fight their state or commonwealth about diverting resources or forcing the pipeline into their respective areas.
After the talk, the situation with the case has changed. Majuto said, “As of now, less than a week before the trial is scheduled to start in Federal District Court in Eugene, the Department of Justice asked the United States Supreme Court to circumvent the ordinary procedures of federal litigation and stop the constitutional case Juliana v. United States which is normally known as Youth V. Gov. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts granted a temporary stay and halted discovery until Wednesday to allow the plaintiffs to respond. I really do not know if the case will continue.”
Majuto traveled to Washington D.C. to be a voice against building the pipeline in the United States and plans on attending next year’s rally. Majuto spoke about the clubs at PVCC that students can be a part of to help with saving the earth. One of these clubs is the Horticulture Club that David Lerman, director of student success and retention, is the advisor for.
In promoting PVCC conservation clubs Majuto stated, “There is grace in working with our hands.” The Earth Guardians of PVCC, advised by Kristy Simpkins, she and Lerman work together to make events like Racing Extinction and Earth Day happen. If you are interested in joining any of these organizations, contact Lerman and Simpkins in the Student Success Office or Majuto at kibiriti@thisiszerohour.org.
