“They Knew, They Lied”: Fire Survivors Bring Their Fight to the Supreme Court’s Steps
On Monday morning outside the Supreme Court, as Justices heard arguments concerning a landmark climate liability lawsuit, a rally organized by the Center for Climate Integrity and Fossil Free Media drew a crowd of roughly one hundred people. Many carried signs with messages like “Climate Change is No Accident,” “SCOTUS Hands Off Boulder,” and “Warning: […]
Outside the Supreme Court on Monday, a small crowd gathered for a rally organized by the Center for Climate Integrity and Fossil Free Media. Signs read "Climate Change is No Accident," "SCOTUS Hands Off Boulder," and "Burning Fossil Fuels Can Destroy Civilization." The People v. Big Oil rally participants chanted "They knew, they lied," referring to fossil fuel scientists and executives who were aware of the consequences of burning fossil fuels decades ago but intentionally sowed doubt to avoid facing the truth.
Louie Delaware, a survivor of the 2021 Marshall Fire, delivered a message to the crowd: "No company or industry should gain an advantage by hiding facts that people need to protect their health, their communities, and their future. They knew, they lied, and they must be held accountable for their actions." Delaware's home was destroyed along with about 50 others in the fire, forcing his family to relocate for over two and a half years.
Other fire survivors, including those from the 2025 Eaton fire in Altadena, California, also spoke during the rally. Inside the courtroom, the justices listened to arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder, a significant case questioning whether local governments can pursue damages from fossil fuel companies for contributing to climate change.
The fossil fuel companies argue that a state court cannot hold multinational corporations accountable for global harm. The lawsuit, initiated by the City and County of Boulder, alleges that Suncor and Exxon deceived the public about climate change and should be required to pay damages resulting from climate-induced natural disasters.
If the Supreme Court rules against the case, it could impact numerous other climate-related lawsuits across the nation. Former Washington state Governor Jay Inslee attended the rally, condemning the fossil fuel industry for lying to the American public and emphasizing the need for accountability in court. The event also brought together climate activists from various backgrounds, including ranchers Deirdre Macnab and Dr. Kathryn Bedell, who highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture and food security.
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