Law for The People Since 1937
Uniting the legal community in the service of the people
Our mission is to use law for the people, uniting lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people by valuing human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests.
Cover Photo by John Sippel @vltrr
CALL FOR ATTORNEYS to Represent Protesters!
Please fill out this form
April 17, 2024
Panel Discussion:
Alternatives to Policing #3
Wayne State University Law School or Register Here to attend online
Nov 10, 2023: NLG Fundraiser "Radiance of Resistance" film at Trinosophes in Detroit
HUWAIDA ARRAF SPEAKING AT THE EVENT
SPEAKER: Huwaida Arraf is a Palestinian-American human rights attorney and activist, and co-founder of the Palestinian-led International Solidarity Movement. She is a member of the Detroit & Michigan NLG. Please read Huwaida's bio.
Missed the Nov 10 fundraiser? Donate to the Detroit & MI NLG
FILM: Radiance of Resistance (Unlocked Films) is an award-winning documentary about the lives and activism of two Palestinian girls, living under military occupation in Nabi Saleh, Palestine.
NLG Conversation with Jalil Muntaqim and Jihad Abdulmumit
On Friday Sept 8, 2023, the National Lawyers Guild was honored to be joined by two former political prisoners from the Black Panther Movement & organizers of the Spirit of Mandela campaign, which is bringing international attention to U.S. human rights violations of Black, Brown, Indigenous People, and U.S.-held political prisoners.
The conversation was moderated by NLG President Suzanne Adely and interim Executive Director JML Santiago.
Hear about this historic project and important discussion on how movement lawyering organizations like the NLG can support this crucial organizing.
Detroit & Michigan NLG Annual Meeting & Elections
August 5, 2023 Detroit & on Zoom FULL INFO
"Working Together to Fight Fascism"
See who’s on our Board,
which has 5 newly elected members.
ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING II
May 17, 2023 Panel Discussion with Alia Harvey-Quinn, Nancy Parker, Tawana Petty, and Lloyd Simpson; and moderated by Julie Hurwitz.
WATCH THE VIDEO!
Highlighting grassroots activism and abolitionist models that challenge the growing police and surveillance state and work to create true community safety.
Watch first Alternatives To Policing event Dec 6, 2022 on YouTube.
ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING
12/6/2022 Panel Discussion
Critical discussion with Erin Keith, Rashida Tlaib, Andrea Ritchie, and Stephanie Chang - moderated by Julie Hurwitz.
Watch full event on YouTube! https://youtu.be/90rRGyg15rE
Detroit
Right to Counsel Passed 9-0 on May 10, 2022!
See FULL VICTORY MESSAGE, LINKS & PHOTOS Here!
Please visit the NEW Website for the Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition!
May 10, 2022 from Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition:
WE WON! We did it! We made history today! We passed the Detroit Right To Counsel Ordinance 9-0!
Today is a huge victory for our community. Thank you all for the calls, emails, and public comments you made. Thank you for showing up! So many people showed up in person at today's public hearing that everyone could not get upstairs. Some couldn't get through on the phone. We said we'd pack the meeting, and we did! We have power, and our collective voice was heard!
"Today we can start a new chapter in our Detroit history and put forth systemic change to ensure that we are protecting our most vulnerable residents in the city of Detroit."
-Tonya Myers Phillips, Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition
Historic NLG 85th Anniversary Dinner - 2022
WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENT, March 27, 2022! Loving thanks to everyone involved. Watch the Keynote video and Honoree video on YouTube.
KEYNOTE:
Kathy Boudin: co-founder/co-director of Columbia University's Center for Justice
David Gilbert: 1960s and 70s era activist, recently released after over 40 years in prison
Chesa Boudin: San Francisco District Attorney (their son!)
HONOREE: John Royal, esteemed Detroit defense attorney; Detroit & Michigan NLG President 2010-2021
UNSUNG HERO: “Housing Justice Trio” - MI Legal Services, Lakeshore Legal Aid, United Community Housing Coalition
LAW STUDENT HONOREES: Rihan Issa (Univ. of Michigan) and James Martines (Wayne State)
MUSIC: Mariachi Punk duo from Pontiact MI, Pancho Villa’s Skull panchovillasskull.bandcamp.com
Detroit Coordinated Defense Coalition
Members of Detroit’s defense community came together in summer of 2020 to develop and offer coordinated legal support and representation to the protectors of Black Lives.
We are committed to providing effective and accountable legal support for Black liberation struggles happening in Detroit in the wake of the George Floyd uprising. We are here to stand with you and represent those arrested for exercising their rights to speak out against the unbroken legacy of institutional racism and violence brought on by the state and law enforcement for generations.
We continue to support liberation struggles in the Detroit metro area.
Suing the Detroit Police: Stopping Violence Against Black Lives Matter Protesters
Detroit Will Breathe vs City of Detroit
On August 31, 2020, the Detroit and Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild initiated a major civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Detroit Will Breathe and several individual plaintiffs. Detroit Will Breathe, et al. vs City of Detroit, et al. challenges the constitutionality of the unprecedented level of violence the Detroit police inflicted on protesters during the summer of the George Floyd Uprising in defense of Black lives.
Legal Observer Program
At the request of social justice and activist groups, Legal Observers (LOs) attend public demonstrations. We are trained to observe and document police activity and get basic information from arrested protesters.
The presence of Legal Observers, who are easily identified by their bright green hats, may serve as a deterrent to unconstitutional behavior by law enforcement during a demonstration. NLG Legal Observers are the eyes and ears of the legal team, and their presence often helps protesters feel more confident and supported.
Photo by Rashida Tlaib
“The presence of NLG Legal Observers has been an invaluable tool over the years as the fight for democratic rights and social justice continues to deepen.”
— Maureen D. Taylor
MI Welfare Rights Organization