Why I am a Progressive legislator On Earth Day, some legislative colleagues and I joined about 40 young environmental activists at Hartford’s Riverfront Plaza for a “Meet Your Legislator” event hosted by the youth-led Sunrise Movement. I got there a bit early, and, standing on the stage beneath the awning, watched the young activists walk up the wooded path along the Connecticut River with garbage bags slung over their shoulders. After a morning spent picking up all manner of human detritus – soda bottles, discarded plastic gloves and beer cans — they were eager to cool off and talk about environmental bills moving through the legislature.