University News

WNE School of Law to Present Virtual Panel Discussion "From the Courthouse to the Streets: Lawyering in the Time of Black Lives Matter"

Published: July 18, 2020 | Categories: All News, Law
Handmade sign on protestor's back with "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" written.

The Western New England University School of Law's Center for Social Justice will host "From the Courthouse to the Streets: Lawyering in the Time of Black Lives Matter" on Monday, July 27 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public with registration.

Attendees of the virtual panel will be able to hear from an impressive group of nationally-curated experts who will answer the question: What place does lawyering hold in this moment of grand social transformation?

"This panel is an outstanding opportunity for the first time to hold the law accountable for Black Lives in a positive way," says Kylar Broadus, Esq., trans rights activist and founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition. "While we march, and call for change, we must make sure to put into action changes that truly impact, reform, abolish, make and implement positive changes that protect all lives—but especially Black Lives. If we can have the bar set at protecting and making sure Black Lives Matter, the law will be more just and fair to all."

The panel, moderated by Attorney Broadus, will include:

  • Jodie Roure of John Jay College of Criminal Justice,
  • Tyler Crawford, Director of Mass Defense for the National Lawyers Guild,
  • Movement Lawyer Carlton Williams,
  • Professor Jennifer Levi, Director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project and a Professor of law at WNE. 

"This is an important conversation to be having both for the legal community and the public at large," says Center Director, Ariel Clemmer. "We have had a terrific response to our recent Center for Social Justice events, and are pleased to be able to facilitate these forums, which align with our mission of advancing justice through research, advocacy, education, and public engagement."

Launched in 2019, the University's Centennial year, the Center for Social Justice is designed to strengthen collaborative efforts between the School of Law and the region to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive society in its next century of service. The Center provides a centralized hub of activity and innovation for the School of Law's justice-related teaching, scholarship, and service. It also broadens social justice academic offerings, helps students aspiring to be social justice lawyers achieve their goals, manages in-house pro bono projects, and works closely with community organizations and partners to identify and address unmet needs that require a multi-dimensional response cutting across law and other fields.

This event is sponsored by the Western New England University School of Law's Center for Social Justice, the Western New England University School of Law's Diversity and Outreach Committee, the Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference, Hurricane Maria Assistance and Relief Institution Alliance Corp, the Diversity Pre-law Pipeline Program, and the Office of the Provost Yi Li at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3gCXsDz. For more information, contact Ariel Clemmer at ariel.clemmer@law.wne.edu or Bridgette Baldwin at bbaldwin@law.wne.edu.

For more information about the Center for Social Justice, visit the Western New England University Center for Social Justice.