Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Justice at SULC

Early voting for Louisiana’s special election begins tomorrow! We encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote early or on March 29th.

On the ballot are 4 amendments:
-Amendment 1 Allows the legislature to establish trial courts with limited or specialized jurisdiction, such as business courts, through a two-thirds vote

-Amendment 2 Revises state constitutional provisions governing tax policy and various state funds

-Amendment 3 Provides the state legislature with the authority to determine in state law which crimes can result in a juvenile being tried as an adult; removes list of crimes currently in the state constitution for which juveniles can be tried as adults

Amendment 4 Provides that judicial vacancies should be filled by calling a special election at the earliest available date pursuant to state law, rather than current law, which provides for calling a special election within 12 months after the day the vacancy occurs

Don’t sit this one out!

However you celebrate, celebrate proudly.
Happy Black History Month!

Celebrate Black History Month with us!
Go to our website and check out our Black History Month programming and videos that are great sources of education and uplift.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Empower Change Through Dialogue!

Join the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights & Justice at SULC and the Someone Always Cares Foundation for “A Conversation on Delinquency” on December 9th at 11 AM, hosted at the Southern University Law School in Rooms 129 and 130.

The Someone Always Cares Foundation is a youth delinquency prevention and intervention agency that has prepared a thought-provoking discussion on delinquency—an event designed to spark conversations, inspire understanding, and explore innovative solutions. We're bringing together experts, community leaders, and passionate individuals for a day of insight and inspiration.

Let's transcend boundaries and drive positive change together! Secure your spot now by registering through the link in our bio.

Pack the Court for Smith v. Edwards

Tuesday, December 5th | 4 P.M.

-JOHN MINOR WISDOM U.S. COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING
-En Banc Courtroom
-600 Camp St. New Orleans, LA 70130

Case of Smith v. Edwards: You are invited to pack the court to hear oral arguments for Smith v. Edwards. At issue is whether the preliminary injunction issued on September 7, 2023, should be upheld, the State should be enjoined from incarcerating children at Angola, and the district court properly found that the attorneys representing youths held at the former Death Row unit at Louisiana State Penitentiary (“Angola”) proved their case.

Commons, a community-driven data tool, is now available in East Baton Rouge Parish!

The tool, created by Measures for Justice in partnership with the East Baton Rouge Community Advisory Board & the District Attorney's Office, makes the parish’s criminal justice data accessible for all.

The Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Justice at Southern University Law Center is proud to be a supporting partner of this work. Earlier this year, we hosted MFJ’s Founder, Amy Bach, for an Author Talk event, and are looking forward to announcing the details of our Commons Community Launch Event very soon.

In the meantime, check out Commons for yourself and explore our criminal justice system by visiting our homepage or https://app.measuresforjustice.org/commons/east-baton-rouge-da

A recent federal appeals court ruling struck down a key route for protecting Voting Rights Act provisions. This could spark a major showdown at the Supreme Court, potentially limiting safeguards for people of color. The debate focuses on Section 2, historically allowing private individuals and groups to challenge practices diluting the voting power of minorities, but a recent decision restricted this avenue.

Stay tuned as this case from Arkansas might shape the future of voting rights enforcement and read more by following the link in our bio.

Source:

On the morning of November 14, 1960, Gail Etienne, Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost became the first African Americans to integrate formerly white only public elementary schools in New Orleans and the Deep South. That morning, 3 of the girls Leona, Gail and Tessie enrolled at McDonogh 19 elementary school at 5909 St. Claude Ave. in the lower 9th ward. Minutes after they crossed the threshold to integrate McDonogh 19, the fourth girt, Ruby Bridges enrolled at William Frantz elementary school at 3811 N. Galvez St. in the upper 9th ward.

Governor Jimmie Davis and Louisiana legislators proclaimed November 14th Black Friday, instructing white parents to keep their children home
With worldwide attention focused on New Orleans, Federal Marshals wearing yellow armbands began escorting the four girls to the schools at
9:00 a.m. By 9:25 a.m. the first two public elementary schools in New Orleans, Louisiana were integrated.

Those courageous little girls rocked this nation to its core, and changed the world when they marched up those stairs to break barriers of injustice. As frontline soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement, these four brave 6-year-olds became the LEGACY of the New Orleans Resistance Movement, and the inspiration that sparked the Children's Crusade of 1963. The girls, their families and white families, who kept their children in integrated schools endured taunts, threats, violence and boycotts of integrated schools by white segregationists.

Today we salute those little girls who are now fierce advocates for educational access.

For more information on the New Orleans Four Legacy, visit the link in our bio and www.neworleansfourlegacy.com

Celebrate The New Orleans Four Day!

On November 14, 1960, four little six-year-old girls in New Orleans rocked the nation and moved the world simply by doing what children do — go to school.

On that November morning sixty-three years ago, Leona Tate, Ruby Bridges, Gail Etienne and Tessie Prevost became the first African American children to integrate white-only schools in New Orleans.

Leona, Gail and Tessie enrolled at McDonogh 19 School at 5909 St. Claude Ave. in the Lower 9th Ward while Ruby enrolled at William Frantz School in the Upper 9th Ward.

Today, the women have worked with Diedra T. Meredith, creator and director of the independently produced 3-part docuseries film The New Orleans Four Legacy Project. Ms. Meredith has helped them to procure major national network television special features and collaborated with COMCAST NBCUniversal's "Voices of the Civil Rights Movement" to induct Leona, Tessie, and Gail.

Additionally, on November 14, 2020, the City of New Orleans partnered with The New Orleans Four Legacy Project to produce the Proclamation Day Ceremony at Gallier Hall to honor The New Orleans Four on the 60th anniversary of school desegregation in New Orleans and they also honored with a Key to the City from the office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell!

Lastly, join the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights & Justice at Southern University Law Center in their efforts to make NEW ORLEANS FOUR DAY a nationally recognized holiday on NOVEMBER 14TH by going to https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/make-new-orleans-four-day-a-national-holiday to sign the petition!

CRRJ Spotlight on Director Goodly Lampkin

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Ada Goodly Lampkin, the Director of the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights and Justice! Recently featured by the Civil Rights & Restorative Justice Project at Northeastern University School of Law, Ada's incredible journey weaves through a complex upbringing, military service, single parenthood, and law school at Southern University Law Center.

Her commitment to truth and justice stems from her grandmother's wisdom and the challenges she faced as a light-skinned Black woman. Ada's passion for advocacy took root during her college years, where she served as president of the Black Student Union at LSU, amplifying the struggles of Black communities.

Joining the CRRJ Project in 2014 as a student investigator, Ada delved into impactful cases, notably leading an investigation into the 1930 lynching of George Hughes. This experience fueled her dedication to CRRJ's mission, even amidst the demands of being a single mother, a law student, and a training sergeant for the U.S. Army.

Currently, as the Director of the LAB Institute at SULC, Ada wears multiple hats, serving on the advisory board for Historical Injustice and Present Policing (HIPP). Not just stopping there, she leverages her own experiences to lead two projects at SULC, including the Burnham Honors Cohort.

Ada's story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the transformative power of education. Join us in celebrating Ada Goodly Lampkin's journey and her ongoing contributions to shaping a more just world!

See the link in our bio for more information on our homepage!