News Brief: National Bar Association

National Bar Association Takes Action During Recent Police Misconduct Cases Across the U.S.

National Bar Association Files Open Records Requests to 25 Cities Throughout America 
This month, the National Bar Association filed open records requests in 25 cities in an effort to end nationwide police misconduct and brutality cases that result in the deaths of unarmed individuals. Read more…

National Bar Media Coverage:

• National Bar Association president urges accountability in officer-involved shootings
  Fayetteville Observer
• President Meanes appeared on the Tone and Tenor “bipartisan voices of the people “ talk radio show
  WWDB 860 AM
• President Meanes appeared on the Martin Jongu talk radio show
  Martin Jongu’s Radio Show
• Black Lawyers Have Plan Of Attack Against Police Brutality
  Chicago Defender
• Black lawyers to challenge police brutality in 25 cities
  Frost Illustrated
• BLACK LAWYERS ORGANIZATION HAS A PLAN TO TACKLE POLICE BRUTALITY ACROSS THE NATION
  Madamenoire
• Police Brutality to be Challenged by Black Lawyers in 25 Cities
  EurWeb

Interested In Joining The Fight?
If a National Bar Association’s Section, Division, Region, Affiliate Chapter or member is interested in joining the Association’s fight against police brutality, please email Terry Wiley, Chair of the NBA’s Criminal Law Section at or Daryl Washington by email. Below are some of the ways you can join us:

• If you, your Region or Affiliate Chapter is located in a National Bar Association’s Top 25 State or Top 25 City, you may partner with the National Bar Association and file Open Records Request. Help organize and plan all events, attend meetings in your area and if necessary file a lawsuit to obtain requested data.
• Host a National Bar Association’s Police Misconduct Educational Day.
• Report incidents of Police Misconduct to the National Bar Association by clicking here.
• Sign the National Bar Association’s online petition to have the United States Justice Department to over certain investigations of police misconduct. Click here to sign the petition today!
• Help cover cost associated with Open Records Request by donating today! Click here to donate.

Members Celebrate Constitution Day Nationwide

(Photo Above) On September 17, 2014, The Greater Washington Area Chapter and the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division participated in Constitution Law Day with students.

National Bar Association members in over 10 states celebrated National Constitution Day with students at various schools. Members educated students on the Constitution and its significance.

Preisdent Meanes and Missouri Bar President Reuben Shelton Appear on HEC-TV During Constitution Day
HEC-TV Live! Presents: Constitution Day 2014: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its current implications. The program was sponsored by the Missouri Bar and each year, the Missouri Bar and HEC-TV in St. Louis partner in producing an interactive Constitution Day Program for students in Grades 7-12. The 2011 program on the presidency won a Telly Award and the 2014 program took an in-depth look into the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its on-going impacts. View videos…

National Bar Association
Launches Voter Protection Initiative 

The National Bar Association needs volunteers to protect the right to vote. Elections should be free, fair and accessible. When the right to vote is not protected, discriminatory laws are implemented, people are disenfranchised and are unable to elect representatives of their choice. Sign Up Today!

Members  Invited as Panelist During Congressional Black Caucus Week in Washington, DC

September 26 | 10 am – Noon 
Member Stephanie Mickle will join Congresswoman Frederica Wilson during a panel discussion on “The New Urban Agenda: Building Successful Public-Private Partnerships for Stronger Communities. This session is designed to educate attendees on how to maximize opportunities in community development and urban revitalization. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center inRoom 207-B.

September 26 | 2-4 pm 
The Meet/Match procurement event will provide many small, minority, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone and women-owned businesses a great opportunity to market their products and services to the public and private procurement officers and contract managers. The event will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Room 146-AB.

September 26 | 3 p.m. 
Member Daryl Parks will join the National Association of Black Journalists, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Dream Defenders during an in-depth panel discussion on “Knowing Your Rights: Minorities Dealing with Police and Issues of Police Brutality. Lee Ivory, former USA Today deputy managing editor and Hill Harper, actor and author. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and RSVP is required by clicking here.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS  Wiley A. Branton Awards Open
for Registration on the East Coast
This year’s Wiley A. Branton Awards will begin on the East Coast at St. John’s University on October 10, 2014. In addition, the Wiley A. Branton Awards will be held at a total of four locations throughout the nation this year. Register today!

30 in 30 Membership Drive
National Bar Association Members, Affiliates and Regions are challenged to get at least 30 new or reclaimed memberships during the month of September. Read more..

National Bar Magazine Calling for Articles
The National Bar Association Editorial Board is currently seeking articles for the 2014 Fall/Winter edition of the National Bar Association Magazine. Articles should be related to the law, the National Bar Association, and topics that are relevant to African-Americans. Articles should not exceed 700 words. Submission Deadline: September 30, 2014. Submit articles to Laverne Lewis Gaskins, Editor-In-Chief at nbamagazine@nationalbar.org

National Bar Association Request for Amicus Curiae Support

If you would like the National Bar Association to participate in a case as an amicus curiae, please complete and return the form with ample time remaining before the date the brief is due. Download Form

Online Petition Calling for Independent Investigation
The National Bar Association has established an online petition calling for an independent investigation regarding the death of Michael Brown. Click here to complete petition.

National Bar Association Launches
Police Brutality Request Form 
The form will allow task force members to evaluate complaints of police misconduct and/or police brutality that have been submitted by the public or an attorney. The form will provide a brief description of the case and other pertinent information to investigate incidents that are submitted. Complete form…

Advocates for Education Reform: Protecting the Right to Education One Student at a Time
The National Bar Association’s Pro Bono and Public Service Committee is excited to introduce a special project that will directly confront the school to prison pipeline. Attorney General Eric Holder has called on school districts to reconsider zero-tolerance discipline policies. Read more…

• Contacts Regarding Alison Lee
  Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) (202) 224-5972
  Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) (202) 224-6121
• Contacts Regarding Jennifer May-Parker
  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) (202) 224-3154

• Advance the nominations of Alison Renee Lee and Jennifer May-Parker.
• Lobby To Eliminate the Blue Slip Process by contacting:
  Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
  437 Russell Senate Bldg. | United States Senate
  Washington, DC 20510
  202-224-4242

Grand Jury Process Raises Questions About a Ferguson Indictment
Time Magazine

Hope Solo and the domestic violence case no one is talking about
The Washington Post

NFL’s Goodell: ‘We will get our house in order’ in handling of domestic violence
CNN

CBC rallies churches to boost turnout
The Hill

FDA plans to revise landmark food safety law
The Los Angeles Times

Florida Gov. Rick Scott appointing fewer black judges than predecessors
Tampa Bay Times

NFL Rallies Cancer Treatment Support for Daughter of Devon Still, Bengals Player
The Afro

Still No Justice A Century After Massacre of Town’s Black Residents
Your Black World 

Some rural cops tote guns with little training
The Shreveport Times

Holder Touts Bigger Payouts For Whistleblowers
Legal Times

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