EJS Part of Challenge to Retention of DNA Collected from Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent Californians

​Social Justice Organizations Challenge Retention of DNA Collected from Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent Californians  California Arrestees’ DNA Profiles Become Part of Federal Database, Accessible to Law Enforcement Across the Country, Even for Those Not Convicted of Any Crime  Two social justice organizations—the Center for Genetics and Society and the Equal Justice Society—and an individual … Continue reading EJS Part of Challenge to Retention of DNA Collected from Hundreds of Thousands of Innocent Californians

Big Changes to EJS Legal Team and Board

The Equal Justice Society has some dynamic additions to our staff and board and one regretful departure. Legal Director Allison Elgart has joined the California Attorney General’s Office; Lisa Holder has been appointed Interim Legal Director; we’ve selected Yoana Tchoukleva as our new Judge Constance Baker Motley Legal Fellow; and Kelly Dermody and Sheila Warren have joined our Board of Directors.   Farewell to Allison Elgart  … Continue reading Big Changes to EJS Legal Team and Board

The Impact of Slavery on American Jurisprudence and Activism

Artwork is Aaron Douglas’ “Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery Through Reconstruction” (1934) 2019 is the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the USA. In August of 1619, twenty Africans landed at Jamestown Virginia. In the 400 years that Africans have been here, their history has been full of struggle, resistance, and the … Continue reading The Impact of Slavery on American Jurisprudence and Activism

Support Monday’s Oral Arguments in Suit Against Trump Ban on Asylum Seekers

Vince Warren, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, shared with us today that there will be oral arguments in San Francisco on Monday,  November 19, at 9:30 am in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump, CCR's federal lawsuit challenging the new Trump proclamation, which bars people seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border if they attempt to enter outside a port … Continue reading Support Monday’s Oral Arguments in Suit Against Trump Ban on Asylum Seekers

EJS’s Chris Bridges Featured in Talkback after Irma Herrera’s ‘Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?’

When Irma Herrera gives her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, some people assume she’s a foreigner. She’s not. Irma proudly claims her Tejano roots and her Mexican and American identity as well as her native languages: Spanish and English. Irma worked three decades as a San Francisco civil rights lawyer and journalist. Her solo play … Continue reading EJS’s Chris Bridges Featured in Talkback after Irma Herrera’s ‘Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?’

Names matter.

Names matter. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the Pittsburgh massacre and and Louisville murders last week. Pittsburgh: Joyce Fienberg, 75 Richard Gottfried, 65 Rose Mallinger, 97 Jerry Rabinowitz, 66 Cecil Rosenthal, 59 David Rosenthal, 54 Bernice Simon, 84 Sylvan Simon, 86 Daniel Stein, 71 Melvin Wax, 88 Irving Younger, … Continue reading Names matter.

We need your help: The legitimacy of Supreme Court is at stake

Today at 1:00 p.m. - Bay Area Rally to Support Dr. Ford #StopKavanaugh https://www.facebook.com/events/294427721155561/ "I think every organization with lawyers or connections to lawyers should reach legal luminaries in the target states* to engage lawyers around this. Not bars or formal associations, just a flood of lawyers -- lawyers who know most about what’s at … Continue reading We need your help: The legitimacy of Supreme Court is at stake

National Organizations and Concerned Citizens Urge Rod Rosenstein Not to Resign

Thirty-nine national organizations, including the Equal Justice Society, and concerned citizens sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein today urging him not to resign and to continue his service at the Department of Justice. The letter called on Rosenstein to stay in his position and “continue to protect the Mueller and related investigations … Continue reading National Organizations and Concerned Citizens Urge Rod Rosenstein Not to Resign