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Dear Friend
In these very challenging times, I find myself with an unexpected sense of hope. That optimism springs from the courage of our clients and others who live with discrimination and inequity to organize and fight for change. Hope springs also from the generosity and commitment to justice demonstrated by the hundreds of lawyers who work on our cases and our incredible and talented staff.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals gave us hope when it found that the recession of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program was illegal. The Supreme Court will be hearing arguments about DACA and while I am anxious, our case and cause is righteous – so we must have hope. Learn more about our DACA case below.
The conversation about creating equity in police practices gives me hope for not just reform, but real change. We are expanding that conversation to reach the more than 7,500 private or special police members who have very little accountability. Combine that with a lack of training and the results can be devastating, or deadly, for people of color who are illegally or unjustifiably targeted - but there are solutions that will work to create accountability.
Finally, your generous and sustained support gives me hope. Please continue to partner with the Committee on the critical civil rights work of our time.
Jonathan Smith
Executive Director, Washington Lawyers’ Committee
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Private police operate in every corner of the City, guarding office buildings, public and private housing and public institutions. Read more about the risks of this shadow force here.
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On November 12, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about whether or not the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program violated the law and the Constitution. Read more here.
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Meet the Staff: Azadeh Erfani
Through the generosity of the Committee’s esteemed first Chair, John Nolan, we were able to bring on a Youth Rights Attorney, significantly expanding our work on behalf of youth of color.
Azadeh Erfani, is passionate about working with marginalized youth and their families and is committed to challenging the multifaceted ways immigrants’ rights are undermined on a daily basis.
She has worked on multiple cases thus far with John Nolan’s mentee, Harry Lee, to protect immigrant parents’ rights to be involved in their children’s’ education.
Read more about Azadeh here!
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You're Invited!
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee cordially invites our supporters to join us to hear more about our renewed focus to dismantle injustice based on racial discrimination and to repair the damage of historical racial inequity. Presentations by clients, co-counsel and staff will highlight the crucial work that you help make possible.
Click here to learn more about sponsorship options and to register for the event, tickets are complimentary!
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More News
Jonathan Smith was featured this week on NPR's Latino USA Podcast on the failures of the U.S. Marshals Service in protecting those who are incarcerated and detained.
The Washington Post recently featured the redevelopment of Barry Farms, a low income D.C. neighborhood. Watch here to hear from former residents on why this historic site should be preserved.
We submit joint comments to combat the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed new rule that would heavily favor the debt collection industry.
We filed an amicus brief challenging the U.S. Parole Commission’s interpretation of federal law resulting in about 450 long-term prisoners being stripped of a fair opportunity to be released on parole.
We submit joint comments outlining our opposition to the DC Housing Authority’s “Transformation Plan” that would exacerbate the public housing crisis.
We joined as amicus challenging the District Court’s recent interpretation of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII that would greatly hinder EPA protections and perpetuate the gender wage gap.
We submit joint comments voicing our concerns on the proposed regulations on the Homeless Services Reform Act (HSRA) issued by the Department of Human Services.
In partnership with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, we filed an amicus brief challenging the District Court’s determination that online businesses are exempt from the provisions of the DCHRA that ban discrimination in public accommodations.
Marques Banks, Associate Counsel, spoke on the Pro Bono in Protest: Protecting First Amendment Freedoms in the District panel on pro bono hot topics as a part of the Washington Council of Lawyers’ DC Pro Bono Week.
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Workers' Rights Clinic October Schedule
Click here to get involved.
- Wednesdays: October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6-9pm at Bread for the City, 1525 Seventh Street NW
- 1st and 3rd Friday: October 4 and 18, from 12-3:30pm at the ONE DC Black Workers' Center at 2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. By appointment only.
- Last Saturday of the Month: October 26 from 10am-1pm at Bread for the City, 1640 Good Hope Road SE
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