The AP Stylebook and The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage suggest beginning every paragraph of a multi-paragraph quote with quotation marks, but saving the concluding quotation marks for the end of the quotation.
“What we, the Tree Warriors, are, despite what we’ve heard, is nothing short of miraculous. Only the most insecure of politicians would dare to attack a group with our integrity and commitment to justice and happiness for all. We are not to be shaken by such words of weakness.
“My assistant, Belinda, tells me that our Tree Warriors association ranks highest among all the associations. Belinda is quite the researcher. Let’s have a round of applause for Belinda.”