At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of the courtroom to defend our clients and dismantle the hidden, systemic barriers that can prevent them from thriving in New York City. We seek to be a beacon of hope for those who feel neglected —regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Our experienced teams provide comprehensive services, support, and advocacy that protect rights, keep families and communities together, and in many cases, saves lives. We have an intrinsic connection to the daily lives of New Yorkers. Here are a few of the places we made a difference, provided context or added valuable perspective this week:

LAS slams City leadership after DOI report on NYPD protest response

NYDN: NYPD lacked ‘clearly defined strategy’ to handle George Floyd protests: DOI report
WSJ: NYPD Faulted in Handling of George Floyd Protests
CBS: NYPD Excessive Force Heightened Tensions During Protests Over George Floyd’s Death
USA Today: NYPD’s use of force and mass arrests ‘heightened tensions’ during protests
The Indypendent: NYPD Abuses Mount
Newsday: NYC DOI report criticizes NYPD response to George Floyd protests
CBS News: New York City’s inspector general criticizes NYPD’s handling of George Floyd protests
NY1: City Probe Finds NYPD Used Excessive Force Against George Floyd Demonstrators
ABC7: NYC Dept. of Investigation finds ‘deficiencies’ in NYPD’s response to George Floyd protests
Politico: NYPD undermined public trust with aggressive protest response, watchdog agency finds
The City: How the NYPD Failed to Learn the Lessons of Past Protest Policing Missteps
Black Star News: Mayor de Blasio Failed to Control NYPD Brutality During Protests
Norwood News: NYPD Hosts Holiday Events as DOI Releases Report on Handling of Protests

LAS presses Governer for decarceration, clemency 

NYLJ: Coronavirus Has Breached More Than Half of NY State’s Prisons, Data Shows
Gothamist: Legal Aid Sues State For More COVID-19 Data At Prisons, Where The Pandemic Rages
Times Union: Commentary: New York’s pandemic response leaves prisoners out in the cold
Pix 11: Coronavirus behind bars: Advocates say cases surging in NY prisons
The City: Prisoners Hoping for Mercy Place Little Faith in Cuomo
WNYC: With 80 Percent Spike in Clemency Applications, Governor Still Unlikely to Grant Them
Gothamist: NY State Has Seen A Major Surge In Clemency Petitions.
Pix11: Cuomo grants clemency to 21 people on Christmas Eve

LAS calls for COVID-19 rent relief expansion to be more inclusive

Univision: Nuevas ayudas para pagar la renta: ¿quiénes son elegibles y cómo aplicar al beneficio?
NY1: Tenant Advocates Say Congressional COVID-19 Relief Bill Is Good – But Not Good Enough
The City: Cuomo Rent Relief Expansion Still Strands Many in Need of Aid

More LAS in the news

NYT: The Evictions Are Coming. Housing Activists Are Ready.
NY1: Legal Aid Society Holds Annual Toy Giveaway, Despite Pandemic
NY Daily News: Don’t act at sex workers’ expense
The Imprint: Advocates Press New York Lawmakers to Shutter Database Containing Kids’ DNA
NYT: The Real Estate Collapse of 2020
CBS Evening News: Students living in some NYC shelters lack reliable Wi-Fi
Pix 11: NY state senator says lawmakers set to work on meaningful tenant protections