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 condemns NYPD for violent social distancing arrests 

AMNY: Manhattan brutality incident caught on video was a marijuana-related arrest
Gothamist: Video: NYPD Officer Beats Bystander During Social Distancing Enforcement
Patch: SEE: Violent Social Distancing Arrests Lead To NYPD Investigation
NYDN: SEE IT: Cop making arrest for social distancing violation punches and takes down bystander
ABC7: Video of New York police arrest during social distancing enforcement sparks outcry
WCBS Radio: NYPD Officer On Desk Duty After Violent Arrest 
1010 Wins: NYPD officer on desk duty after video shows violent arrest
NYT: An N.Y.P.D. officer was stripped of his gun and badge after punching a bystander
1010 Wins: NYPD fficer on desk duty after video shows violent arrest
Courthouse News Service: Violent Arrest Raises Alarms in New York City
Newsday: NYPD reviewing videos that appear to show officer punching bystander
El Diario: Video: Denuncian brutalidad policial durante arresto
Heavy: Donni Wright: Video Shows Violent Arrest of New York Man
NYT: Despite Violent Arrest, NYPD to Maintain Distancing Patrols
Patch: Police Union Head: NYPD Shouldn’t Enforce Social Distancing
Time Magazine: NYPD Criticized Over Viral Videos Depicting Violent Arrests
NY Post: Cop at center of viral social distancing bust has cost NYC $200K
NY Daily News: NYPD roughly arrests men defying social distancing in Brooklyn
CBS: Coronavirus Social Distancing Enforcement Scrutinized Following Viral Videos
Washington Post: Violent arrest sparks anger over police enforcement of social distancing orders
NYDN: Selective police enforcement of NYC’s social distancing looks a lot like stop-and-frisk
El Diario: Policía hispano suspendido por brutalidad en distanciamiento social
TIME: Experts, Police Union Say NYPD Should Not Be Enforcing Social Distance Rules

LAS secures release of eight pregnant women from State prison

NY Post: Legal group wants 10 pregnant women freed from prison over coronavirus fears
CBS: 8 pregnant women to be released from New York prison over virus fears
NY Post: 8 pregnant women freed from prison over coronavirus after legal group complains
NY Daily News: Legal Aid says state should immediately release 10 women from custody

LAS continues the fight to release incarcerated New Yorkers

NYLJ: This NYC Public Defender Has Helped Set Hundreds of Prisoners Free
Yonkers Times: Bail Reform & Early Release For COVID-19
Law360: Data Is Key To Stopping COVID-19 Spread In Prisons
Hudson 360: Advocates push for more prison releases amid outbreak
The Grio: Coronavirus rips through notorious Rikers Island jail complex
Mother Jones: New York Prisoners Are Sewing Masks for Hospitals—But Most Don’t Have Their Own
NY1: Legal Aid Sues for New York State to Release Prisoners Vulnerable to Coronavirus
Capitol Pressroom: Cuomo faces continued pressure to release prisoners over COVID-19 fears

LAS decries new policy to remove homeless New Yorkers from subways

ABC: Subway closure ‘outright disaster’ for the homeless who have few safe shelter options
Daily Mail: Mayor de Blasio says Cuomo’s subway closures will force the homeless above ground
The Guardian: Closing New York subway will have ‘devastating’ impact on homeless, say experts
CBS: Homeless Rights Advocate: ‘Terrifying’ Scene on First Night of Subway Shutdown

More LAS in the news

El Diario: Queens concentra el mayor número de casos y muertes por coronavirus en todo el país
Crain’s: Landlord plan to help rent-regulated tenants a ‘PR stunt,’ advocates say
NY Post: Child advocates slam Chirlane McCray’s $1B ThriveNYC program
CNBC: Here’s what you need to know about rent relief during the pandemic
CNBC: Stay on evictions in New York will continue through August, Gov. Cuomo says
The New Republic: The Pandemic Surveillance State
City Limits: Opinion: ICE Detention Facilities Have Failed to Protect People from COVID-19