On Friday, October 20, the Western New England University School of Law will hold a daylong symposium, “Perspectives on Racial Justice in the Era of #BlackLivesMatter,” from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the Blake Law Center, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA. This event is free and open to the public
Persistent racial disparities in the United States are at a critical juncture, and the need to promote greater social awareness, engagement, and action has never been more important. The symposium will offer an opportunity to discuss the intersection of legal issues and potential actions, and with legal practitioners and members of the community, to chart the way forward for racial justice and empowerment.
The symposium program will include discussions of race in the context of the criminal justice system, health care, voting rights, and the LGBTQ community. It will feature leaders recognized in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and a panel discussion offering reflections on the 30th anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in City of Springfield v. Kibbe, 1987, concerning an African American man killed by a white city police officer, and inadequate police training. Attorneys Terry Nagel and Edward Pikula, who argued the case before the Supreme Court, will offer their thoughts on what has changed and what has not.
Additional speakers will include; Nicole Austin-Hillery, Director and Counsel of The Brennan Center’s Washington, D.C.; Mr. John Wambere, Ugandan gay rights activist and co-founder of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives; Dr. Raja Staggers-Hakim, Director of Equity, Inclusion, & Civic Engagement at Yale Divinity School; and Attorney Carl Williams, ACLU of Massachusetts.
Western New England University School of Law professors who will moderate the panel discussions and offer their perspective include, Sudha Setty, Bridgette Baldwin, Harris Freeman, Matthew Charity, Barbara Noah and Robert Statchen.
Registration is not required but RSVP is appreciated, at symposiumeditor.wne@gmail.com
The symposium is sponsored by the Western New England Law Review. Refreshments will be served throughout the day. A networking dinner will be served from 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
