In this edition, we share the unedited testimony of lead plaintiff, Ricki Held. Regrettably, the audio of her voice is problematic, however, we share it for its historic significance. Ricki was 18 years old when she became the named plaintiff in Held v State of Montana. She is now 22. She is the only one among the 16 plaintiffs, who comes from the eastern part of Montana near Broadus. She described how she and her family have been harmed by the worsening effects of climate change, and what it’s like to work on their ranch when it’s smokey and 110º outside.

Since the historic Held v. State of Montana trial began on June 12, 2023, in the Lewis and Clark County District Court in Helena, MT, Judge Kathy Seeley presiding, we have been recording and archiving the audio to preserve the record, to inform and allow listeners to hear for themselves what transpired.

For the first time in the United States, youth plaintiffs were able to present their case in a court of law, that their inalienable constitutional rights under Article II Section 3 of the Montana State Constitution “to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life’s basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways.” ….. were being denied and violated by the policies and actions of their government. Further, that The State was in violation of their responsibilities as required under Article IX, Environment and Natural Resources, Section 1. Protection and Improvement that “The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations. Section 2. The legislature shall provide for the administration and enforcement of this duty. and Section 3. The legislature shall provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.”