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The mission of the Center for Law and Social Justice is to provide quality, expert legal advocacy, training and services on racial justice issues in a personal manner to people of African descent, and persons who are under-served, under-represented and otherwise disenfranchised. The Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ) accomplishes this racial justice mission by conducting research and providing advocacy and litigation on behalf of community organizations and other civil society groups promoting human, civil and international rights. These activities are delivered from CLSJ’s offices on the campus of Medgar Evers College as well as in a host of predominantly high-need neighborhoods across New York City.
Using a grass-roots approach to its advocacy projects and litigation, CLSJ addresses a broad range of social justice issues, including: a) voting rights; b) police-related harassment and abuse; c) public education; d) immigration; e) housing and employment discrimination; and, f) United States human rights violations. As a result of CLSJ’s unique synthesis of research, public policy advocacy and litigation from a community-based perspective, CLSJ is a focal point for progressive activity. CLSJ specializes in conducting in-depth analysis of social problems, resulting in creative, action-oriented solutions and social changes that are both cogent and timely.
Current advocacy projects include the Voting Rights Policy Project, the “Don’t Lose Your Vote” Voter Education Project, the East New York Immigration Program, and the Police and Racial Violence Project.
The Voting Rights Policy Project utilizes the expertise of CLSJ’s two voting rights attorneys as watchdogs on voting changes that will affect Black, Latino, and Asian voters in New York City. CLSJ employs the Voting Rights Act and works with other voting rights advocates to protect the voting power of these populations.
“Don’t Lose Your Vote“ Voter Education Project targets Central Brooklyn voters who in 2008 had over 40,000 of their cast votes discarded during election tallies. It brings important details regarding NYC’s complex polling practices clearly into view and trains community members on how to ensure that their votes are actually counted. This project is generously funded by the New York Community Trust and the Concord Baptist Church‘s Christ Fund.
The East New York Immigration Program provides free immigration legal services to the residents of East New York, Brownsville, Canarsie and Spring Creek. Both legalization and naturalization immigration services are offered by expert legal staff at a convenient East New York location. This program is funded through the efforts of NY City Council Member Charles Barron.
The Police and Racial Violence Project provides legal counseling and referrals to victims of police and racial violence.
Current litigation includes:
People United for Children v. City of New York (Challenge to ACS child removal practices for neglect as discriminatory against Black families.) Won in federal district court, defending an appeal.
Hayden v. Pataki (Voting rights for persons convicted of a felony who are on parole or incarcerated.) On interlocutory appeal by New York State.
CLSJ receives generous general support funding from the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus of the New York State Legislature, the Atlantic Philantropies, Assm. Annette Robinson, and NY City Council Member Al Vann. |