Guild Notes Published by the NLG Foundation Volume 43, No. 2/3, Summer/Fall 2018 NLG PDX supporting anti-racist movements while planning #Law4thePeople Convention learn about the political landscape in Portland and read about what’s planned for the 2018 convention! Also in this issue: natasha Lycia Ora Bannan bids farewell as nlg president ] Chapter updates NLG delegation to korea & Japan ] Poetry by Jailhouse Lawyers ] remembering jeff segal & lee goldin ] regional conference reportbacks [ & more IN THIS ISSUE President’s Column....................................................................................................................................................... 3 #Law4thePeople 2018 Convention Preview.................................................................................................................. 4-7 Ahead of Convention, NLG PDX Provides Legal Support to Anti-Racist Movements........................................................ 7-9 Should Lawyers be Allowed to Discriminate? ................................................................................. 10 New Book Alert: Follow the Money...................................................................................................................... 10 NLG Regional Deepens Radical Roots in the South.........................................................................................................11 NLG SF Bay Area Chapter Launches “We Know Our Rights” Video Series....................................................................... 11 Loyola New Orleans NLG Reflects on a Year of Resistance............................................................................................. 12 Rest In Power: Remembering Longtime NLG Members Jeff Segal and Lee Goldin...........................................................13-14 2018 NLG Weinglass Fellowship Recipient: Micheli Quadros..........................................................................................14 Guild Grant Revitalizes NLG Idaho Chapter.....................................................................................................................15 At NLG Mid-Atlantic Regional, West Baltimore Bus Tour Honors Freddie Gray................................................................16 J20 Case Ends in Dropped Charges After Prosecutor Caught Hiding Evidence..................................................................17 NLG Delegation to South Korea and Japan..................................................................................................................... 18 Beyond Bars A Flicker Becomes a Flame.........................................................................................................................................19 This is Not Legal Advice, in Honor of René Magritte...................................................................................................20 Suggested Reading for Pro Se Representation...........................................................................................................20 Education Key Lower to Recidivism............................................................................................................................21 Woe Please! (Poem)..................................................................................................................................................22 Vote for Jailhouse Lawyer VP.................................................................................................................................... 22-23 Guild Notes is published triannually by: National Lawyers Guild Foundation We want to hear about your NLG work—submit 132 Nassau Street, Rm. 922 to the next issue of Guild Notes! New York, NY 10038 Deadline for the Winter 2018 issue is: Edited and designed by: Tasha Moro Monday, November 12, 2018 To subscribe to Guild Notes: Contact [email protected] or See nlg.org/submission-guidelines to learn more. call 212-679-5100, ext. 15#. One year subscription for non-member individuals: $50. One year subscription for institutions: $75. Beyond Bars guidelines available at the URL above and also printed in this issue’s Beyond Bars column. Previous and current issues of Guild Notes are available for download online at nlg.org/guild-notes For updates: nlg.org/convention NOTE: The views expressed in Guild Notes are those of the authors. National Office Staff They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NLG as a whole. Executive Director: Pooja Gehi ([email protected]) Director of Membership: Lisa Drapkin ([email protected]) Director of Education and Research: Traci Yoder ([email protected]) Cover: Portland NLG Legal Observer documenting activity while Director of Communications: Tasha Moro ([email protected]) DHS in riot gear take back formerly occupied ICE building by Director of Mass Defense: King Downing ([email protected]) #OccupyICEPDX, June 28 . (Photo: (Photo: @itsMikeBivins/Twitter) NLG Foundation Managing Director: Daniel McGee ([email protected]) Office Manager: Kimmie David ([email protected]) President’s Column Bidding Farewell as NLG President By Natasha Lycia Ora Bannan As my time as President of the National Lawyers Guild comes to an end, I reflect on the many Guild stories I’ve heard from you, our members, and many others across the world. Whether in Havana, Palestine, Atlanta or the Bronx, the stories of how the NLG has showed up when it matters the most—when no one else would—are abundant and filled with gratitude. I have been stopped by activists who were provided legal defense by Guild lawyers who never blinked twice, by human rights defenders around the world who spoke first hand of what Guild solidarity with their struggles meant, and with law students who draw From the NLG-NYC Chapter: “NLG-NYC honored three Champions of Justice on June 8 at the Angel inspiration from 81 years of movement Orensanz Center for the Arts on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. From left: Nancy Stearns, legendary femi- lawyering as they embark on their nist lawyer whose Center for Constitutional Rights cases led to ending restrictions on abortion in New legal careers. The deep reverence and York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island before Roe v. Wade; Natasha Bannan, NLG president, respect the NLG has around the world attorney at Latino Justice PRLDEF, and a founder of Ayuda Legal Huracan Maria; and NYU Law student has showed up wherever I go, and more Kyle Barron, recipient of the NYC Chapter’s Law Student Recognition Award for her work with the New Sanctuary Coalition.” (Photo: Jefferson Siegel) recently it is often accompanied by a request to do more. As our communities to a former political prisoner—this year to Herman Bell, become increasingly under attack, they often look to us to former member of the Black Panther Party and Black stand with them. They are looking for allies and lawyers Liberation Army. The Law for the People Award will go to who will not question, hesitate or waiver. They are looking the National Immigration Project of the NLG. for the Guild. The convention is also where we refuel ourselves by I have learned a tremendous amount from our Guild connecting with colleagues and compañeros/as, develop elders about everything that they have seen and fought. our legal and political analysis, and hear from brilliant I’m reminded that while we may feel this particular flavor activists and lawyers about the work they’re doing across of repression more intensely, it certainly isn’t new. They the country and world, from housing rights to anti- remind me that we have been here before, and we came out colonialism to immigrant justice. And if you aren’t familiar on the other side. Neither state violence nor profit-driven with our many national committees, you learn more about state policy is new, and the Guild’s principles of anti- them here. Many committees meet during the convention imperialist, anti-capitalist lawyering have always fought to where you can hear more about their work and see how dismantle both. That should bring us all great comfort as you can get involved. Don’t miss the chance to connect we stand ready to fight with all we have against a morally again with 81 years of radical lawyering! Register now at bankrupt and abusive state. nlg.org/convention. The best place to connect (or reconnect), with this 81- Thank you for the chance to work with you these past year history is at our 2018 #Law4thePeople Convention, three years and to get to know your stories and struggles coming up October 31 – November 4 in Portland, OR. This more intimately. As the concept of Ubuntu expresses, “I am year’s convention features keynote speaker Kshama Sawant, because you are.” I hope to see you all at the convention, the first Socialist member of the Seattle City Council, and and in these streets! ¡Pa’lante mi gente! ■ for the third year in a row, the Arthur Kinoy Award goes Join the FRIENDS OF THE NLG to advance human and civil rights all year long! Friends of the NLG is home to hundreds of donors who have committed to support our work month after month – with gifts from $5 to $500. Giving a recurring donation is an easy way to pledge your commitment to social justice while making a powerful and long-lasting impact! To learn more or to sign up, visit nlg.org/friends! 3 Guild Notes • Summer/Fall 2018 - The venue/housing - - Dinner journal ads - Whether or not you'll be attending the convention, please support the NLG with a sponsorship (see opposite page) or dinner journal ad! NLG #LAW4THEPEOPLE CONVENTION