In this compelling series of webinars, we take a close look at the civil rights and social justice issues that African Americans are still facing 53 years after the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. The impressive panels and experts will examine a range of issues from environmental justice to economic equity, COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution to racial disparities and criminal justice.
This issue of Human Rights magazine focuses on policing in America. The horrific events of 2020 have brought heightened attention to a longstanding problem of policing in America.
Read - the latest issueThe Section is thrilled to announce that it will honor legendary civil rights leader Clarence B. Jones with the 2021 Thurgood Marshall Award in a virtual celebration during the ABA Annual Meeting. Serving as advisor and lawyer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Jones played a pivotal role in many events in the Civil Rights Era, including assisting in the drafting of Dr. King’s momentous "I have a Dream" address; acting as part of the successful defense team for the SCLC in New York Times v. Sullivan; serving as part of Dr. King’s inner circle of advisers, called the “research committee”; and contributing with Vincent Harding and Andrew Young to Dr. King’s “Beyond Vietnam” address at New York’s Riverside Church on 4 April 1967. After Dr. King’s death, Mr. Jones served as one of the negotiators during the 1971 prison riot at Attica, and was editor and part owner of the New York Amsterdam News from 1971 to 1974.
Support the Celebration
The American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice will honor long-time Section leader and former Section Chair C. Elisia Frazier with its Father Robert F. Drinan Award during a virtual reception at 4:00 p.m. CT/5:00 p.m. ET on February 19, 2020, during the ABA Midyear Meeting.
Learn - MoreWe invite you to attend our 2021 Midyear Section Meeting. If you want to become active, but are unsure where to start, join us as we discuss the civil rights & social justice issues that 2020 has presented us with and how CRSJ plans to address them in the new year.
Section Chair Angela J. Scott pens her first column of the bar year. In her column, she focuses on the impact of this year and the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and calls for justice for the African American community.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
CRSJ Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice is proud to partner with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on election protection. The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote.
Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice
Section Chair Angela Scott ushers in a the 20-21 Bar Year with brand new initiatives and a new slogan: United for Civil Rights Through Service. During the course of the year, she plans to develop the Section's first podcast, begin a new Fellows Program, lead a Voting Rights Service Project, and more! In her video, she details her full plans for the upcoming year.
See - the InitiativesThe Section deeply thanks all of our sponsors of the 2020 Thurgood Marshall Award Celebration. The first-ever virtual Celebration was a monumental success and featured remarks from the esteemed recipient and a conversation on justice and equity between Marian Wright Edelman and Valerie Jarrett. Your generosity allows us to continue our work, including expanded programming and publications in response to COVID-19 highlighting the effects of the pandemic on civil rights and social justice, on elections in particular, and on the fundamental causes of inequality. CRSJ pays every gift forward by giving the legal profession and advocacy community the tools to make positive change.
Jan
28
Events | Webinar
Pandemic Trials: Defending Criminal Clients During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed criminal court operations. This webinar will explore these changes, with a focus on how they are impacting public defenders and defendants.
Feb
03
Events | Webinar
When Race and the Environment Collide: The Impact of Systemic Racism on Environmental Justice
This program will examine the impact of structural and systemic racism and its impact on the environment, specifically environmental justice, and intentionality.
Feb
05
Events | Webinar
#BlackTaxpayersMatter: Intersection of Race, Tax Systems, Laws and Enforcement
The United States exhibits wider disparities of wealth than any other major developed nation. Over the past five decades, wealth has increasingly concentrated among the highest-income households.
Whatever your area of specialization, CRSJ has a place for you. By joining us today, you can help ensure that the world’s largest voluntary professional association continues to uphold the Bill of Rights and the ideals it embodies.
Over the past five decades, the Section and its members have worked on hundreds of issues addressing a broad range of civil rights, civil liberties, and international human rights. Today, the Section continues to promote policies affecting religious freedom, LGBT rights, gender equity, and other significant civil rights issues. Your gift will help make our efforts possible for the next fifty years!
