On Saturday, April 25, Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey spoke to students from the greater Boston area to discuss some of today’s most pressing issues. The event was held in collaboration with the College Democrats of Massachusetts, the High School Democrats of Massachusetts, the Sunrise Movement and Voters of Tomorrow. 

Bailey Kelly, a current student at Tufts University and a member of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, introduced Markey to the students. Kelly cited some of Markey’s accomplishments in the Senate as well as his previous efforts to enact progressive legislative change. Kelly also mentioned Markey’s strong relationship with young people and described him as someone who “never stops fighting for students.” 

After Markey was introduced, he expressed his gratitude to the event’s sponsors. He also emphasized the important role young people have in efforts to create progressive change, and addressed systemic flaws in the American government that have in turn had adverse effects on youth. Markey described young people as the “leaders of today” and said he believes “you [young people] deserve a government that is fighting for your future.” Markey also spoke to the current state of American politics and faulted President Donald Trump along with his allies for many of the struggles that youth currently face. He also pointed to issues including the ongoing war in Iran, repeals of protections for LGBTQ+ people and attacks against immigrants. Markey concluded his opening remarks and implored young people to organize by stressing the impact they can have: “Real change in this country has never come from Washington alone. It comes from movements.”

The event was structured so that moderators alternated between lighter, more conversational questions and more serious inquiries about the state of American politics. Joshua Rand, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who works with the Sunrise Movement, first asked Markey what his favorite sneaker is. Markey stated that he likes Nike Air shoes and joked about a “clean air revolution.” This reply segued into Rand’s next question about the ongoing changes in the climate movement and how young people can work to address the problem. Markey responded by pointing out how President Trump’s ongoing war in Iran has led the price of oil to “skyrocket” and has further contributed to the current “climate apocalypse” the world is experiencing. To combat the climate crisis, Markey believes the government must refocus on the goals of the “Green New Deal,” which he introduced with Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Some of the bill’s goals include a shift away from fossil fuels, the creation of new “green” jobs and modernized upgrades to infrastructure. Markey was confident that “we [the Democrats] are going to win the House and Senate” as a result of citizens’ discontent with Trump’s America. Rand followed up to ask about jobs for students who want to work in clean energy and climate justice. Markey pointed to the 750,000 new jobs that would have been created in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which has since been terminated by the Trump administration. Markey also stated that he believes young people should have seats “at the table” in every federal agency that deals with issues of climate change. 

Kelly thanked Markey for his long-demonstrated commitment to including youth in the decision-making process and proceeded with further questions. She asked Markey what his favorite Dunkin’ order is, to which Markey replied that he enjoys a double chocolate donut, as well as a jelly donut. Kelly shared that in the current moment, many young people are skeptical of “the system” and find it doesn’t work for them. As such, Kelly asked what reforms are necessary in order to “rebuild trust” in the system. According to Markey, Trump is “fundamentally assaulting the programs that have been put in place” and mentioned the appointments of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Markey believes that both McMahon and Kennedy have caused great destruction in their roles and primarily try to “demonize black and brown kids in our country.” As such, Markey believes politicians must address “loopholes for billionaires” and urged the passage of the Equal Tax Act. He also believes that the government should seek to create incentives for students who want to devote their lives to public service through debt forgiveness. Additionally, he focused on the importance of creating programs for students with disabilities and addressing wealth disparities. 

Kelly proceeded to ask how we can work together to lower everyday costs for young people, to which Markey responded we must reinstate the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid and that, “the system is rigged and we’ve got to fix it.” 

The next question came from Jackson Hurley, a recent graduate of Northeastern University and volunteer at Voters of Tomorrow. Hurley referenced Markey’s experience working in an ice cream shop over the summers and inquired as to what his favorite ice cream flavor is. Markey shared that he enjoys a hot fudge sundae and mentioned that, after working in the ice cream shop for a summer, he would be able to pay his tuition in full. He cited this as another issue that has affected young people. This response transitioned into Hurley’s further questioning about financial issues affecting young people in the current moment. Markey said he believes that non-profit private colleges and universities should receive more funding to alleviate expenses for students, and also emphasized the need to hold billionaires accountable. Markey also spoke about nationalizing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s platform on holding corporations accountable for poor policies. 

Hurley proceeded into a discussion about the pressing issue of Artificial Intelligence and how young people engage with it. Hurley asked Markey what he sees as the biggest risks of AI and big tech in general to which the Senator highlighted that many people tend to have a love-hate relationship with the technology. Markey shared that he believes one of his biggest concerns is the complete replacement of human workers with AI. In turn, he believes the government should enact stronger legislation that protects human workers and limits AI’s environmental impact and also supports stronger AI privacy policies. He also shared there should be a greater look into what the potential impact of AI may be. Speaking about his political opposition, Markey said that “the Republicans are owned by the AI industry” and thinks there should be a greater look at these corporations’ practices. 

The next question came from Lauren Peloquin, a member of the High School Democrats of Massachusetts. Peloquin asked about how youth can grapple with their frustrations in light of the current moment. To this, Markey responded, “I believe anything is possible if we don’t get discouraged.” He pointed to the historical power of young people and their involvement in various social movements and assured students that, should everyone work hard during the upcoming midterm elections, we will see a return to positive social change. 

The floor then opened to questions from student attendees. The first question asked how students can actively participate and fight against the actions of the Trump administration. “You just got to stand up and fight,” Markey said. He said he also felt that the actions of the Trump administration have been consequential in a way that has triggered a generational response. 

Another student asked about the ways in which Markey plans to help Massachusetts set a nationwide example in disability rights and inclusive disability policy. Markey again scorned the actions of Kennedy and his unfounded claims about individuals with autism, and discussed a bill he introduced which aims to ensure all streaming services provide closed captions as a means of “ensuring full inclusion within our society.” He also expressed concerns about the inclusion of disabled students in school settings as a result of McMahon’s position as Secretary of Education.

The next question asked about the pressing issue of gun violence and how we can work to address it. Markey emphasized the need for bans on assault rifles and various types of weapons, and spoke about the influence of the National Rifle Association. “The NRA has a vise-like grip over the Republican party,” Markey shared, further saying that it was time to make the NRA “not relevant anymore” in the American political system. 

The final question came from a student who applauded Markey’s efforts to center equity and inclusion in all of his work, and asked why he feels it is important to center social justice in his advocacy. Markey spoke about his own experience as a commuter student at Boston College where he often felt like an outsider. This experience, he said, made him empathize with those who are often deemed to be “others” in society. Markey pointed specifically to the plights of the transgender community, as well as people of color, and spoke about his dedication to the principles of justice and fairness for all. 

Markey concluded by imploring those in attendance to act and fight for the future they want to see. “You’re the future,” he said, thanking those who attended. Kelly then concluded by thanking Markey for “being a beacon of hope with and for young people” along with his continued advocacy for young people “before it was popular.” Kelly concluded by asking attendees to contribute to and volunteer for the Markey campaign, as his seat will be up for re-election in the November 2026 midterms.