Teens march through downtown Oakland, call for companies to pay for pollution - Local News Matters

On Friday, dozens of Oakland high school students marched through downtown to demand corporate accountability for climate change, advocating for Senate Bill 684, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025. The students gathered at Snow Park, crafted signs, and marched to PG&E headquarters, where they urged the utility to stop raising rates that disproportionately affect working families. Activist Xochitl Cortez emphasized the importance of funding for environmental infrastructure, stating, “We have to get the polluters to pay. ” Junior Alejandro Tovar-Montano expressed his motivation for activism, citing his family's struggles with asthma due to poor air quality. The bill, introduced by state Sen.

Caroline Menjivar, aims to require companies to contribute to a fund addressing climate harms from 1990 to 2045. If passed, the Environmental Protection Agency would conduct a climate cost study to assess damages and determine financial responsibility. The students aim to maintain momentum for the bill despite challenges like burnout among organizers. Their activism underscores the urgent need for legislative action on climate change and corporate responsibility.