The Mass Defense Committee of the NLG-NYC Chapter, which has been providing legal observers and lawyers for activists since 1968, was proud to offer its depth of experience and knowledge to activists organizing events surrounding the Republican National Convention this summer in New York City. We are now organizing the defense of the more than 1800 people who were arrested. And reviewing complaints for possible civil litigation.

The Committee is coordinating its efforts to provide RNC Mass Defense legal support with the People’s Law Collective, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the New York Civil Liberties Union.

MEMO TO RNC ARRESTEES:
CIVIL LAWSUIT OPTIONS

Find a PDF version of the Memo HERE.

You should also make sure we have a correct e-mail address so that you will receive updates. Please call 212-679-6018 if you are not already recieving our e-mail updates.

THE NYC/NLG MASS DEFENSE COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Dear RNC Demonstrator/Arrestee & Friends:

You were among the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets of New York City to say “NO” to the Bush Agenda. Unfortunately, you may also have been among the nearly 2000 who were swept up by the NYPD. These illegal arrests were followed by your unlawful detention in filthy conditions on Pier 57 and in some instances up to 60 hours of confinement before being released on minor charges. The NYC/NLG Mass Defense Committee ( MDC) was out there with you. You surely saw the hundreds of NLG Legal Observers (LOs) in their striking green caps. Unfortunately many of them were arrested with you!

Those LOs, the lawyers and legal advisers were out there to protect our constitutional right to free expression. That enormous effort costs money. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE THIS WORK. WE ASK YOU TO MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT THE NYC/NLG MDC AND WE ASK YOU TO PASS THIS REQUEST ALONG TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

The work of the NYC/NLG MDC at the RNC was in keeping with the NLG's long history of voluntary service to progressive organizations seeking to exercise the constitutional right of expression. The work of our MDC volunteers is the largest continuous program of pro-bono legal service in New York State. The Council of New York Bar Leaders' awarded the MDC its 2004 Award of Merit for our public service work supporting protestors during the spring 2003 anti-war mobilizations. We are now mobilizing to assist almost 700 protesters who have Criminal Court return dates in September, October and November arising from RNC protest arrests. This continuing work -- both post-RNC and for future progressive mobilization -- requires money.

We are asking for your financial support to help us continue our work. For more than 35 years, the NYC/NLG has provided legal observers at thousands of demonstrations, big and small. NLG lawyers have appeared in court for those arrested as they marched and rallied for civil rights, reproductive rights, racial and social justice, against police misconduct or against the war in Vietnam and Iraq. During the legal support mobilization for the RNC, the NYC/NLG MDC had over six hundred LOs on the streets wearing our trademark “green hats,” and mobilized over two hundred attorneys to cover multiple arraignment parts 24 hours a day throughout the Convention week. Our proudest moment came on Thursday, September 2 nd when our “Writ Squad” won an Order from a Supreme Court Justice freeing some 500 protesters illegally detained, some for up to 60 hours, under unconstitutional and unconscionable circumstances.

We cannot continue to do this work without your help. Please contribute to the NYC/NLG MDC. Checks should be made payable to “National Lawyers Guild – NYC Chapter”, and sent to 143 Madison Ave, 4 th Fl, NYC 10016.*

Thank you for your solidarity and support! We will put it to good use!

In Solidarity,
Marty Stolar
President, NYC/NLG

Bruce Bentley
RNC Mass Defense Coordinator

*Contributions of $500 and above are tax deductible as provided by law when your check is payable to the National Lawyers Guild Foundation, Inc. [note on memo line: NYC NLG chapter] However, individuals who receive services from our volunteer attorneys may not deduct donations because the fair value of the volunteer services received exceeds the amount of the donation.

Upon request, a copy of the National Lawyers Guild Foundation's latest financial report filed with the NY State Attorney General can be obtained by writing to the National Lawyers Guild Foundation, 143 Madison Ave., 4 th Fl, NYC 10016, or from the Office of the Attorney General, State of New York, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Media Inquiries

For media inquiries and general questions, please contact the RNC Mass Defense Coordinator Bruce Bentley at (212) 679-6018 ext. 16, or email nycmassdefense@riseup.net.

For more general information about the RNC Mass Defense email us at nycmassdefense@riseup.net and keep tuned to this page.