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Demonstrators Encouraged to Contact 866-459-1220 for Assistance if Subject to or Faced with Risk of Arrest While Protesting or Demonstrating

Washington, D.C. – In the wake of the tragic death of Alton Sterling, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society of Baton Rouge – an affiliate of the National Bar Association, and the National Lawyers Guild of Southern University Law Center at Baton Rouge have partnered to provide pro-bono legal services to peaceful protesters arrested while exercising their right to call for justice.

“The fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge is a matter of great national interest. Communities across Louisiana are calling for reform by exercising their first amendment right to demonstrate and protest,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “We seek to ensure that the first amendment rights of those demonstrators are protected.”

The coalition received service requests from over 70 jailed protestors in just 24 hours, and continues to field requests.

“We are investigating claims that officers arrested scores of peaceful protesters. This is truly unacceptable,” said Ashley Greenhouse, President of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society of Baton Rouge, a National Bar Association affiliate chapter. “The Louis A. Martinet Legal Society will promote peace and productivity. We will fight every obstruction of the right to protest peacefully.”

“The action of the Martinet Legal Society, an NBA Affiliate Chapter, in answering the call of justice in Baton Rouge is a shining example of the dedication that our members have throughout the country as we remain steadfast in our commitment to assure due process of the law is a reality in our communities of color,” said National Bar Association President Benjamin L. Crump.

As mass demonstrations are expected to continue into the week, the coalition encourages demonstrators and protesters to contact 866-459-1220 should they face arrest. For more information on how you can support the effort, contact the Martinet Legal Society of Baton Rouge at brlouisamartinet@gmail.com or the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law at help@lawyerscommittee.org.

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