The Legal Arm of the Black Liberation Movement



(NCBL): an association of lawyers, scholars, judges, legal workers, law students and legal activists. Our mission is to serve as the legal arm of the movement for Black Liberation, to protect human rights, to achieve self-determination of Africa and African Communities in the Diaspora and to work in coalition to assist in ending oppression of all peoples. NCBL is a bar association but its program concerns matters of critical concern to the broader Black community.

National Conference of Black Lawyers Condemns the Massacre in Gaza

December 30, 2008 - The National Conference of Black Lawyers ("NCBL") condemns the massive military attack by Israel upon Gaza. Since Saturday, December 27 Israel's bombs have rained on Gaza, hitting targets such as a refugee camp and a university. News agencies reported today that over 375 Palestinians, including women and children as young as age 4, have been murdered. Over 1400 have been wounded.

The military attacks are not Israel's only act of aggression towards Gaza. For over a year the Israeli government has held a stranglehold on Gaza, preventing the entry of necessary goods such as food and medicine into the territory, and withholding electricity for long stretches of time. Israel's actions are inhumane and are in violation of international law. Israel controls both access to Gaza and the freedom of movement of Gazans. As an occupying power, Israel's blockade amounts to collective punishment in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. United Nations Special Rapporteur Richard Falk has even characterized the blockade policies as a crime against humanity. In addition, Israel's indiscriminate firing on civilian populations violates the rules of war and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Each year the United States government gives billions of dollars in taxpayer money to Israel, described as "aid." As taxpayers we demand that the United States stop funding Israel's illegal actions. Further, the NCBL calls on the international community to decry the military attacks on Gaza, as well as the blockade.

Maryland Legal Aid Director Wins a “Denny”

Wilhelm Joseph (center), NCBL former
National Director and long-standing
member of the organization.
Joseph, center, stands with Legal Aid Bureau Board President Warren Oliveri, right, and José Padilla, NLADA Board President and executive director of California Rural Legal Assistance. During its annual conference last month, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association honored Wilhelm H. Joseph, Jr., executive director of the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau, with its 2008 Denison Ray Award in recognition of his exceptional service to the legal aid community throughout his “legendary” career. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Joseph witnessed rampant inequality in the Jim Crow South as a scholarship student at a Mississippi state college during the civil rights era. The experience pushed him towards leadership positions in the civil rights movement and earned him national prominence—prominence that led the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate to investigate deporting him. It was these experiences that led him to a career fighting to ensure equal justice for all, first at North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, then at Legal Services for New York City, and now at the Maryland program, which he has led since 1996. During that time, he has expanded the program’s annual budget from $8 million to $22 million, and has made the organization a flagship of the legal aid community. Joseph was nominated for the award by the staff of the Legal Aid Bureau, “who wrote eloquently of [his] work on behalf of equal justice,” said NLADA President Jo-Ann Wallace in a letter to Joseph. The “Denny” is named after a career legal aid activist who led programs in Missouri, Maine, North Carolina and New York.

Michael Tarif & Evelyn Warren


VICTORY

In a courtroom filled with supporters, as has been the case since the Warrens were initially assaulted, arrested, and brought to court a year ago, the District Attorney found inadequate basis for proceeding with the case against Tarif and Evelyn Warren. All charges were thus dropped. Cheers, hugs, kisses, and even some tears of joy followed as the courtroom emptied into the street for a brief rally. Both Tarif and Evelyn thanked everyone for being so steadfast in their support and, particularly expressed deep gratitude and love for their lawyers -- Soffiyah Elijah, Susan Tipograph, and Roger Warren. A battle was won, was the consensus, but the war goes on!

All Power To The People!

Original Story
Attorney Michael Tarif Warren and his wife Evelyn were driving along Vanderbilt Avenue around 6:00 pm, when they witnessed NYPD officers "kicking and stomping" a handcuffed young black man. The Warrens pulled over to help. Mr. Warren said "We saw a young kid being chased by a horde of policemen across a McDonald's parking lot. They tackled him and immediately put handcuffs on him. Then Sergeant Talvy, who appeared to be in charge, began kicking him in the head and ribs, and stomping him on the neck." The other police officers followed suit.

Read the Full Article (PDF)

Government fails in bid to stop class action against forcing new citizens to take Oath to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Attorney General of Canada’s attempt to get leave to appeal from the decision of Judge Belobaba was denied.

As you know, we commenced a class action to challenge the constitutionality of the Canadian Citizenship Oath that requires new citizens to swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors.

The Attorney General of Canada applied to the court to strike out our action on the basis that it did not disclose a reasonable cause of action.  In addition, the Attorney General wanted the case to be moved to the Federal Court of Canada.

Read the Full Article (PDF)

For older news stories, please visit our Archives section.