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September 20, 2018 by Admin

NLG Chi hosts CLE on Direct Actions and Mass Mobilizations

On August 23, NLG Chicago hosted a workshop that focused on the unique situations that arise when representing organizers and activists arrested at mass mobilizations or direct actions, with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS movements. The presenters were Janine Hoft, attorney at People’s Law Office, who has decades of experience providing legal support to activists and has represented over 1,000 people arrested at protests, and Jeanne Kracher, Executive Director of Crossroads Fund and an organizer with extensive social justice experience and founding member of ACT-UP/Chicago. The event was moderated by Emmanuel Garcia, community organizer and founder of Vives Q, a public program by and for the Latinx LGBTQ community in Chicago.

The discussion drew upon Janine and Jeanne’s shared history of participation in and support of social movements from the 1980s to the present, from ACT-UP and International solidarity actions to protests against police brutality and the War in Iraq to movements for immigrant rights and economic justice.

They addressed how lawyers can empower their activist clients within a disempowering legal system and the role of a lawyer in advising and guiding clients while giving them agency to decide their own legal and political goals. The presenters also discussed the tension of zealously advocating for an individual client while also considering the collective goals of other defendants and a larger movement.

Jeanne Kracher reminded us, “The law is incomprehensible to anyone other than lawyers.”

This was the second event in an ongoing series of workshops provided by the Mass Defense Committee of NLG Chicago.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Articles

August 6, 2018 by Admin

NLG Chicago Is Hiring A Chapter Administrator

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) was formed in 1937 as the country’s first integrated national bar association. The NLG is dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.

 

The Chicago Guild is hiring a part-time chapter administrator and organizer.  We are looking for a self-starter who will bring a forward-looking perspective and renewed energy into the Guild office.  Organizing skills and a commitment to social justice are required. The person who fills this position will be tasked with building the Chicago Guild and facilitating our continued growth. Fundraising experience preferred.

The chapter administrator position includes the following roles (additional tasks may be assigned):

  • Performing office administrative duties, including responding to phone calls, email, and receiving postal mail in the Guild Office
  • Coordinating and facilitating chapter wide events, including NLG Chicago’s annual fall fundraising event and spring May Day Party
  • Growing chapter membership and fundraising through organized initiatives & outreach
  • Building relationships between the Chicago Guild and like-minded or partnered organizations, plugging the Guild into the progressive community in Chicago
  • Maintaining NLG Chicago’s online presence by updating our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages
  • Maintaining listservs and sending updates to chapter membership through MailChimp
  • Meeting with the NLG Treasurer to discuss budgetary matters
  • Directing and managing office volunteers

The position will begin as soon as possible and require 10 hours per week, with regular office hours and some flexibility depending on the Chapter activities each month.  The compensation is $20/hour.

NLG Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and minorities are encouraged to apply. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter (in the body of the email), and three references, to chicago[at]nlg[dot]org, with the subject line “NLG Chicago Administrator Application.”  Applications will be accepted until 11:00pm on August 19, 2018. Interviews will be held in late August and early September.  No phone calls please.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Articles Tagged With: chapter administrator, jobs

July 26, 2018 by Admin

NLG Chicago Attorneys & LOs Give Legal Support to Protestors of Harith “Snoop” Augustus Shooting

Harith Augustus protest

Source: Enough is Enough. Scene of crowd soon after police murdered Harith Augustus, a father and local barber.

On July 14, Chicago Police shot and killed Harith Augustus, a barber and father to a 5-year-old girl. The South Shore community immediately gathered to demand answers. NLG Chicago volunteers responded to requests for support by sending Legal Observers to the scene to document police violence against demonstrators and by sending lawyers to track and visit people in CPD custody.

CPD reported that four people were arrested in total, but without names, we are unable to confirm those numbers or the whereabouts of everyone. At least two people who were briefly taken into custody were released without charges. NLG Chicago collaborated with First Defense Legal Aid and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender to identify and support the one other person who remained in CPD custody.

On July 16 at 1 pm, Melvin Johnson, the person who was violently arrested by Chicago Police on the night of July 14, received an I-Bond at 1pm today. Johnson was arrested. This means he will be released without having to pay money.

Harith “Snoop” Augustus Shooting

Source: Loevy & Loevy

On July 18, civil rights activist William Calloway sued the Chicago Police to compel the public release of all unedited videos of the July 14th police shooting. Mr. Calloway is also represented in his suit by Matt Topic and Joshua Burday of Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law.

Please follow Black Lives Matter Chicago and BYP 100 for additional updates on the demand for justice for Harith Augustus. #BlackLivesMatter

Filed Under: Blog, Legal Observers Tagged With: First Defense Legal Aid, Harith Augustus, Joshua Burday, legal observers, Loevy & Loevy, Matt Topic, Melvin Johnson, Snoop, William Calloway

July 5, 2018 by Admin

Remembering Susan Compernolle

Susan Compernolle

Susan Compernolle (credit: Chicago Tribune)

On June 15, 2018, beloved Chicago activist and immigration lawyer Susan Compernolle peacefully passed away while surrounded by family.

Sue worked and volunteered in several immigration organizations including Centro Romero and American Immigration Lawyers Association. She passionately committed to providing legal aid to countless immigrants. Her brother, Paul Compernolle told the Chicago Tribune, “[Sue] was always off doing good things, helping farmworkers in Florida and the Carolinas who were facing deportation.”

James Fujimoto, a federal immigration judge in Chicago, worked with Sue on immigration issues including the National Immigration Project of National Lawyers Guild (NLG). The non-profit initiative promotes justice and equality of treatment in all areas of immigration law, the criminal justice system, and social policies related to immigration.

NLG Chicago honored Sue with the Arthur Kinoy award in 2008 as recognition of her enduring and distinguished commitment to the struggle for immigrants’ rights. Sue joined the Guild while attending Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, where the student chapter was involved in the struggle to end U.S. involvement in Latin America. Her ability to speak Spanish fluently allowed her to travel widely in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

After living a full life, Sue – who friends described as a “quiet advocate with a keen sense of justice”—died of cancer in her Edgewater neighborhood home. Sue’s memorial service was held at Donnellan Funeral Home in Skokie, IL.

NLG Chicago’s board and members express our deepest condolences to the Compernolle family and friends in the activist community. Susan, PRESENTE!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Articles Tagged With: death announcements, memorial, Susan Compernolle

July 5, 2018 by Admin

Remembering Lewis Myers, Jr.

Lewis Myers, Jr.

Lewis Myers, Jr. (credit: Chicago Crusader)

On May 24, 2018, Chicago’s activist community lost a fantastic criminal defense lawyer and ally when Lewis Myers Jr. passed away following heart surgery complications. Lewis, a Chicago transplant from Houston, was a former board member for National Lawyers Guild Chicago.

Brother Lew, as he was affectionately called, rooted his life in progressive activism. As a longtime activist in the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) he fought bravely in the fight against racist America. His community service started in his teens when he took a leadership position with the NAACP.

Close friend and former NLG president, John C. Brittain wrote, “Brother Lew stood fearlessly inside the courtroom or in the streets.  He defended his tactics with best practices and research.  His boldness, dedication, and education earned him much respect among the people in the boardrooms, courtrooms, classrooms, and living rooms.  Though he could be a fiery and dynamic speaker at times, he remained an unselfish, humble servant of the people.”

He is remembered as a compelling courtroom orator and quintessential lawyer-activity. Brother Lew fought workplace discrimination, acted as a progressive voice in the legal and civil rights community, and passionately pursued doing right. Friends and colleagues described Brother Lew as fearless, loving, and a true advocate for the people.

Celebration of life services for Lewis were held in Chicago and Houston. NLG Chicago’s board and members express our deepest condolences to Lewis’ family and friends in the activist community. Rest in Power, Brother Lew!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Articles Tagged With: Brother Lew, death announcements, Lewis Myers, memorial

July 5, 2018 by Admin

Remembering Ora Schub

Ora Schub

Ora Schub (The Chicago Defender by Sebastián Hidalgo)

On June 11, 2018, the Chicago activist community lost a beloved ally, colleague, and friend. Ora Schub, a former president for National Lawyers Guild Chicago, passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Ora was born and raised in Chicago and dedicated her life to activism, advocacy, and peace. As a leader in the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), Ora also supported human and legal rights delegations to other countries. Having worked as a criminal defense attorney and clinical law professor at Northwestern University, Ora helped organize the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL).

Ora was known as one of the “grandmothers” of the city’s restorative justice movement. Together she and fellow activist Cheryl Graves helped many Chicago organizations learn and embrace restorative justice principles. Through Community Justice for Youth Institute – which they co-founded – Ora and Cheryl held restorative justice workshops and peace circle keeper trainings.

In a January 2018 interview with City Bureau reporters, Jenny Casas and Sarah Conway, Schub said, “if [holding peace circles] works, the circle creates a safe space where you can be vulnerable. Cause we can disagree with each other on opinions, but we can’t disagree on your story.”

A memorial for Ora will take place:

Saturday, August 25, 2018
4:30 – 7:30 pm
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. South Shore Drive

NLG Chicago’s board and members express our deepest condolences to Ora’s family and friends in the activist community. Rest in Power, Ora!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Articles Tagged With: death announcements, memorial, ora schub

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