Youth Vote to the Rescue: A Conversation w/ Olivia Freiwald & Violet Massie-Vereker

Good Law | Bad Law

Aaron Freiwald, Managing Partner of Freiwald Law and host of the weekly podcast, Good Law | Bad Law, is joined by two climate youth activists and electoral organizers, Olivia Freiwald, 21, and Violet Massie-Vereker, 19, both of the Sunrise Movement and of the Down Ballot Disruption Project (DBDP), to discuss youth voting, the 2020 election, the importance of galvanizing youth political efforts, and the impact the youth will undoubtedly have on our future.

What is the DBDP? Why is the Green New Deal so important?

In today’s episode, Aaron, Olivia, and Violet have an inspiring conversation on the possibilities of change. With the 2020 election days away, today’s conversation is paramount. Motivated at young ages, both Olivia and Violet, explain how their personal experiences have shaped their current political vision, the two talk about the climate crisis, electoral organizing, “sleepy dems,” awareness, responsibility and how to think big. Violet and Olivia discuss their frustration with the current power imbalance they see in politics but also the ways in which they are excited for the future. Aaron, Olivia, and Violet talk about the advantage younger people have in understanding how to use technology effectively and efficiently as well as the role of relationship organizing and social media networks.

Founded in 2017, Sunrise is a youth movement to stop climate change and to create millions of good jobs in the process. The idea is to “build an army” of young people to make climate change an urgent priority across America, end the “corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on politics,” and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people. Through talking to neighbors, families, religious leaders, classmates, and teachers, Sunrise spreads their message; “our strength and work is rooted in our local communities, and we are always growing in number.”

The Down Ballot Disruption Project, or DBDP, equips “young people across the country with the skills, resources, and support they need to elect progressive leaders in their communities.” From the school board to Congress, down ballot politics have the biggest influence on our everyday lives, yet their races are historically de-prioritized. Everything from voter services, to pipeline approvals, to police funding is governed by local offices; DBDP highlights that the difference between victory and defeat often comes down to less than 1,000 votes. This November, the DBDP is hopeful to elicit change by electing a “new generation of leaders who care about our future.”

We’re posting this episode early to remind you once again how critical it is that everyone votes – every voice matters. Please make sure you have a plan for how to vote!

Listen in now!

To learn more about the Down Ballot Disruption Project, please click here.

To learn more about the Sunrise Movement, please click here.

To learn more about The Green New Deal, please click here.

Host: Aaron Freiwald

Guests: Olivia Freiwald & Violet Massie-Vereker

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