January 2020
July 2019
FOIA Requests: An Important Tool for Activists
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. § 552) requires agencies of the U.S. government to disclose documents and information to any person who requests such documents or information. The FOIA.gov website states: “The basic function of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure informed citizens, vital to […]
September 2018
Ninth Circuit: Criminally Prosecuting People for Sleeping Outside Violates Eighth Amendment Prohibition on Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Cooper Brinson, Staff Attorney
On September 4, the Ninth Circuit ruled that “the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment bars a city from prosecuting people criminally for sleeping outside on public property when those people have no home or other shelter to go to.”
The case, Martin v. City […]
July 2018
Chicago Report-back
REPORT-BACK: CLDC ATTORNEYS IN CHICAGO
In July of 2018, CLDC staff attorneys Lauren Regan and Cooper Brinson went to Chicago to refine our approaches to police and jail/prison misconduct litigation by attending the National Lawyers Guild’s National Police Accountability Project “Police Misconduct Trials A-Z.” In addition to honing our skills, we […]
May 2018
History of May Day!
Looking forward to this May Day, we should remember that democracy is not the political expression and organization of capital—rather, it is capital that organizes us under the appearance of democracy—eventually overturning any democratic practices in favor of those with the most capital.
December 2016
Petition to Allow Out-of-State Attorneys to Represent Water Protectors
Today, the CLDC submitted a public comment in support of a petition to the North Dakota Supreme Court that urges the Court to temporarily allow out-of-state attorneys to defend water protectors arrested at Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock, North Dakota. You should too! Follow the instructions on how […]
October 2016
In Standing Rock, The Cops Are Out of Control
The police have demonstrated zeal over the last few months focusing their resources and energies on one goal: ensuring that the Dakota Access Pipeline is built—and built on time.
Prison & Capitalism
There is a reason that organizers of the September 9 workstoppage are also calling for an abolition of this form of modern slavery: there is no option to reform. There is no humane alternative.
April 2016
Hypocrisy and Human Rights
Consistently, media covering President Obama’s historic 2-day visit to Cuba has focused on the need for Cuba to clean up its human rights record if it truly wants to normalize relations with the U.S. While Cuba may have some shortcomings when it comes to its human rights record, the U.S. should be hesitant in its condemnation of others for abuses when the U.S. commits and perpetuates serious abuses at home (and abroad).
January 2016
Homelessness and the reserve army of labor
At the end of last year, the mayors of Eugene, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Francisco gathered to discuss homelessness and climate change. I heard a recording of the mayors discussing the meeting. As I was listening to the mayoral musings, I wondered how genuine the interest really is in understanding the causes of homelessness. [G]iven the mayors agreement in their ignorance surrounding the causes of homelessness, would they really accept conclusions that could condemn the entire system?