Leading voices from the Los Angeles civil rights community joined together for the ADL Centennial Civil Rights Symposium in partnership with Bet Tzedek on January 25 at the Skirball Cultural Center.
About 100 attorneys and community members attended the program that provided Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credit for attorneys. The Symposium was the kickoff to a series of symposia being held across the country in recognition of ADL’s centennial year.
The program started with a session on ethics called Working with Challenging Clients: Ethics & Practical Solutions for Pro Bono Attorneys, presented by Grant Specht, Directing Attorney, Bet Tzedek Legal Services.
Following the ethics presentation was a panel discussion on Civil Rights Topics Facing Minority Communities moderated by Steven M. Freeman, ADL Director of Legal Affairs. Using ADL’s Centennial theme Imagine a World Without Hate™ as a springboard, the panelists addressed key civil rights issues affecting their particular communities.
Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, expressed concerns in the areas of education, voting rights and immigration reform, which he said is “not a done deal” and about which he foresees “delicate and intricate negotiation ahead.”
Karin Wang, Vice President, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, discussed special challenges facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities noting, “Language is a huge barrier to civil rights and immigrants’ rights, as well as undercutting many of the problems with education and voter access.” She also cited immigration reform and health care reform as ongoing challenges, along with ‘English only’ policies often targeted at health care workers.
Jon W. Davidson, Legal Director, Lambda Legal Western Regional Office, discussed the tremendous progress in the past ten years but, noting that 30 states still have constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, he pointed out, “We see an incredible divide, between the parts of our country where gains have been made, and the other parts where life is hell for LGBT people and those living with AIDS.”
Constance L. Rice, Co-Director of the Advancement Project and a long-time advocate in the African American community, raised concerns about current discrimination against the LGBT community and the issues of language and immigration status facing many immigrant communities. “We’re fighting the last stage of the American Civil War,” she said, discussing current issues of human trafficking and exhorted members of the Bar to do more to combat injustice.
As the final session of the program, Erwin Chemerinsky, Founding Dean, University of California, Irvine School of Law, spoke on The Federal Courts and Civil Rights Today. He pointed out that this year and last year’s Supreme Court terms have been among the most memorable in history – addressing college admissions decisions, affordable health care, voting rights and marriage equality. “It’s hard to think of any two terms with so many blockbuster cases that affect each of us in important aspects of our lives.” He expressed concerns about the Supreme Court closing the courthouse doors on access to Federal courts through standing, qualified/absolute immunity and restricting the ability to sue State and local governments.
Following the program, participants were invited to join a docent-led tour of Creating the United States, a special Skirball exhibit organized by the Library of Congress.
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