Devon Lawson, Founder & Chair of Springfield Climate & Resilience Watch (SCRW), has been named the Best Emerging Democratic Leader in Springfield of 2025 for their transformative leadership in climate justice and local democratic action. Through Lawson’s unwavering commitment to grassroots empowerment and fairness, SCRW has become a powerful force for community-driven change in Springfield, Oregon.

A Vision for Democratic Leadership and Climate Justice

Devon Lawson’s approach to leadership is rooted in a deep belief that communities should have control over the systems that affect their daily lives, from utilities to public services. As the founder of SCRW, Lawson has led the charge in building a movement that empowers students, renters, and other community members to challenge entrenched power structures and fight for climate justice.

Under Lawson’s guidance, SCRW has become a beacon of grassroots activism, organizing residents to demand accountability from public institutions and create lasting change through democratic participation.

The "No Service, No Charge" Campaign: A Fight for Fairness

A key pillar of Lawson’s leadership is the “No Service, No Charge” campaign, which emerged in response to the January 2024 ice storm that left thousands of Springfield residents without vital services. Despite extended outages, residents continued to receive utility bills for services they did not receive. Lawson, alongside SCRW, took a bold stance, demanding that the Springfield Utility Board (SUB) issue credits for outages lasting more than 24 hours.

“This isn’t a subsidy,” Lawson stated. “It’s common sense. No one should have to pay for what they didn’t get. That’s not radical, it’s just fair.”

The campaign has called for a Storm-Outage Bill Credit Policy that would offer automatic, pro-rated credits for extended outages, eliminate excessive paperwork, and ensure public utility transparency. Lawson’s advocacy is redefining what it means to fight for fairness in public services, putting people’s needs first.

Grassroots Mobilization and Community Empowerment

What truly sets Lawson apart is their ability to build power from the ground up. Unlike traditional advocacy groups that often rely on top-down strategies, Lawson’s vision centers on empowering residents to organize themselves. SCRW is built on social ecology and municipalism, philosophies that focus on giving everyday people the tools and confidence to make decisions about their own communities.

"We believe public power should mean people power," Lawson emphasizes. “When something breaks, the people have a say in how it’s fixed.”

This approach is reflected in SCRW’s work, where students, renters, and other community members have been at the forefront of drafting resolutions, advocating for policy changes, and demanding greater democratic control over public services.

Institutional Impact: From Grassroots Advocacy to Political Change

Devon Lawson’s leadership is making waves not only within Springfield but across Oregon. The “No Service, No Charge” campaign has already gained substantial traction, with a formal resolution, Resolution 2025.10, set to be presented to local political bodies in July 2025. Authored by Lawson, this resolution aims to bring further attention to the cause of utility fairness and could catalyze similar efforts in communities statewide.

"This isn’t just a petition," Lawson asserts. "It’s a step toward local control over the systems that shape our lives."

By pushing for formal legislative consideration, Lawson is taking SCRW’s grassroots efforts into the realm of policy-making, signaling that this movement has the potential to spark broader, state-level change.

Building Long-Term Change and Democratic Infrastructure

SCRW is not just focused on immediate victories but is laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable democratic infrastructure. Lawson envisions a future where local communities are empowered to take control of utilities, transit, and food systems through direct democratic processes.

“We’re building long-term democratic infrastructure,” Lawson explains. “We don’t just want to win this fight. We want to change the way power works in our communities.”

The organization is entirely volunteer-run, relying on the energy and passion of community members to drive its work forward. Lawson’s leadership has helped create a resilient, self-sustaining movement that is committed to bottom-up political change, challenging the concentration of power and creating a more equitable future for all.

A Young Leader with a Big Vision

Devon Lawson exemplifies the power of youth-led, grassroots movements. Their work with SCRW highlights the critical role young leaders can play in reshaping public policy and empowering their communities to take control of their futures. Lawson’s dedication to climate justice, transparency, and democratic engagement is inspiring a new generation of activists committed to systemic change.

Having previously run for the Lane Community College Board of Education and remained deeply engaged in local politics, Lawson has proven that grassroots leadership can challenge entrenched power and make a real impact.

Conclusion: A New Standard for Democratic Action

Devon Lawson’s leadership is a shining example of what it means to fight for climate justice and democratic control over public services. Through the “No Service, No Charge” campaign, Lawson and Springfield Climate & Resilience Watch are setting a new standard for civic action. This movement is not just a fight for fair billing—it’s a call for the people to take charge of the systems that shape their lives, from utilities to climate policy.

As the Best Emerging Democratic Leader in Springfield of 2025, Devon Lawson’s work is inspiring a shift toward more democratic, resilient, and sustainable communities, and their future-focused activism will continue to shape the region for years to come.

For more information on the petition and to sign in support, visit Change.org.