Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC)

We are deeply saddened by Daniel Casanova’s passing. Daniel was Eviction Defense Collaborative’s Executive Director, and he was an extraordinary leader, passionate advocate, and dear friend. He believed wholeheartedly in our mission to help the people of San Francisco stay in their homes and fought tirelessly to support our team and our city– essential work that we will ensure continues. Our thoughts are with Daniel’s family and loved ones, especially his wife and his children, and his many friends.

Immigration attorneys and advocates: Join the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) on July 9 at 12 PM (PT) for a critical training on how immigration enforcement intersects with foster care. Learn how deportation impacts child custody, the differences between state and federal foster care systems, and practical strategies to help immigrant families avoid foster care placements during immigration crises. Presenters: Meredith Wallis (Legal Services for Prisoners with Children) and Sharon Balmer Cartagena (Public Counsel). 📅 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gksQ2Nju MCLE: 1-hour General Credit available. #FamilyPreparedness #ImmigrantRights #FosterCare

We are horrified by the ICE raids occurring in our state and across the country right now. We know that attorneys from our community are being denied access to people in detention and are unable to speak with their clients. The number of people taking to the streets over the last several days is proof of how important it is to stand with the community and protect our rights. The legal aid community, at our core, exists because the legal system is unfair to many who cannot afford an attorney. We speak up in the legislature, in meetings of local government, at hearings, and in any space where our voice can amplify the voices of our clients. We strongly oppose the deployment of ICE in Los Angeles and in other California cities – targeting people who are going to work, who are attending worship services and graduations, and who are using our state courthouses to protect their rights. Stationing ICE at courthouses is abhorrent and directly puts people’s lives at risk. Even those who hold green cards and student visas are no longer safe from deportation. We also support the lawful protests that are happening in response to raids and other harmful federal actions. We applaud those who exercise their free speech rights to say that this is wrong and to stand up for neighbors and loved ones. LAAC condemns all violations of due process and militarized attacks on ordinary people going about their lives. We will always stand with our immigrant communities, and commend the legal aid workers on the ground who continue to defend all of our rights and the rule of law.

Yesterday, I was privileged to share the stage with seven of San Francisco's elected supervisors, friends from the legal aid community, clients, staff, and supporters -- and announce a hunger strike in protest of the Mayor's draconian cuts to legal aid. https://lnkd.in/gCHhDjyM. I'll be joined by dozens of people from congregations across San Francisco who will fast in solidarity. These cuts were made in the name of austerity, but let me be clear: these cuts will devastate the lives of vulnerable San Franciscans, worsen street conditions, and end up costing taxpayers so much more down the line. These cuts will make homelessness worse. We estimate the cuts will force 320 people onto the streets and into the homeless response system every year and impoverish thousands more. That's a 4% per year compounding increase in the homeless population. These cuts will stretch our police and public health resources thin and make us less safe. Multiple studies have found that legal aid reduces crime, including intimate partner violence, and reduces public health expenses. When SF's police staffing is at an all-time low and Medicaid cuts are on the horizon, why does it make sense to bombard them with what could have been prevented? Legal aid wasn't a well-funded system to begin with. Compared to need, it might be California's most poorly funded human service. The State Bar estimates that 2/3rd of everyone who cannot afford a lawyer and attempts to find help will be turned away. I've personally worked 80+ hours on $15k/year trying to meet the need, and interviewed countless people with good cases who have struggled to get help, often with life or death consequences. When we fail to ensure access to justice for the vulnerable, there are cascading social consequences. The shadow of poverty deepens as assets are stripped from those who can’t enforce their legal protections. More and more people are thrown into homelessness, end up on the streets, and end up with drug and mental health issues. The public safety costs grow. The public health costs grow. The costs to shelter grow. And one day we wake up and ask ourselves why everything is so expensive. Why are we spending so much money, yet the problems only seem to grow worse? Why is there such a disconnect between the overwhelming need in the community and the importance placed on this work by the Mayor? One reason might be that the suffering caused by injustice is hidden away behind closed doors. So I've decided to bring the suffering out into the open. We need to expose what will happen to our clients and community if this budget is passed. That's why I've decided to go on a hunger strike. I feel that, next to the scale of the need and the impact of the work, my comfort in this matter is simply not important. And if you are interested in helping and live in SF, please call or email your elected Supervisor and the Mayor.