Detroit and Michigan National Lawyers Guild
Michigan: Legal Observers & On-Call Attorneys - Mobilizing for 2020 Election Results
Help ensure the rights of Michigan's citizens to gather peacefully in support of a fair election process. Training provided.
Posted November 3, 2020
Background & Context
We are recruiting lawyers to train to serve as legal observers and on-call attorneys.
The primary role of Legal Observers:
-To monitor law enforcement behavior towards demonstrators
-To serve as a witness to law enforcement misconduct
-To serve as a deterrent to unconstitutional behavior by law enforcement
The primary role of On-Call Attorneys:
-Act as zealous legal advocate for arrestees
-Act as neutral liaison between protesters and police
-Try to minimize police contact with protestors, so all communication comes through one channel
-Remember that you are there to support organizers and arrestees, but should not make decisions on their behalf
-Be willing and flexible to step into whatever other roles may be helpful
-Document injuries and ticket/court information
Work & Deliverables
Our next training will be offered via Zoom on Tuesday, November 3 at 7:00 PM. Volunteers for this project will receive an invite to the training.
Detroit and Michigan National Lawyers Guild
Detroit attorneys were among the founding members of the National Lawyers Guild in 1937. Two of these attorneys, Maurice Sugar and Ernest Goodman, began a firm that was active in defending unions such as the United Auto Workers and representing the oppressed (particularly by the police) Black community. Theirs was the first racially integrated law firm in the country, and included as partners civil rights leaders and activists such as George Crockett, Jr., Bob Millender and Claudia Morcom.
Detroit and Michigan National Lawyers Guild
Detroit attorneys were among the founding members of the National Lawyers Guild in 1937. Two of these attorneys, Maurice Sugar and Ernest Goodman, began a firm that was active in defending unions such as the United Auto Workers and representing the oppressed (particularly by the police) Black community. Theirs was the first racially integrated law firm in the country, and included as partners civil rights leaders and activists such as George Crockett, Jr., Bob Millender and Claudia Morcom.