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 demands vaccinations for incarcerated, pushes for release of vulnerable New Yorkers

NYDN: Feds begin vaccinating inmates at both New York City federal jails
NYT: The High-Risk Group Left Out of New York’s Vaccine Rollout
Buffalo News: Covid-19 outbreaks prompt calls, lawsuit for releasing vulnerable inmates
SI Advance: Mother hopes story of son’s incarceration can shed light on broader COVID concerns
The Root: NY’s Vaccine Rollout Doesn’t Include a Set Timeline for Prisons to Receive the Vaccine
Queens Daily Eagle: Less than 5% of Rikers inmates receive COVID vaccine
Politico: Public defenders threaten to sue Cuomo to allow vaccinations for prisoners
Gothamist: Legal Advocates Call To Change Policy On COVID-19 Vaccines For State Prisoners
NYLJ: Legal Defense Groups Pressure NY to Greenlight Prisoner Vaccinations
WSJ: Legal and Faith Groups Ask for Covid-19 Vaccines for Prisoners in New York
El Diario: La Legislatura exigida a aprobar reformas de libertad condicional por avance de COVID
Times Union: Attorneys, advocates demand New York prioritize vaccines in prisons, jails

LAS decries double standard as Staten Island bar owner will not face charges for alleged assault

SI Advance: Grand jury spares Mac’s Public House owner of charges from confrontation
NYDN: SI bar owner who flouted COVID restrictions escapes assault charges
Gothamist: SI Bar Owner Won’t Be Prosecuted For Allegedly Driving Into Sheriff’s Deputy

LAS applauds legislation to limit arbitrary detention

Queens County Politics: Queens Lawmakers on the Move Jan. 22, 2021
QNS: Senate passes Queens lawmaker’s bill to limit arbitrary detention

Staten Island DA used controversial facial recognition technology

Government Technology: Staten Island DA Draws Criticism for Facial Recognition Use
Governing: Staten Island D.A. Uses Controversial Facial Recognition Tool

More LAS in the news

NYT: How the 3 Diallo Sisters Were Finally Able to Connect to Their Classes
WSJ: Landlord and Tenant Groups Join Forces to Stave Off Evictions
City & State: The 2021 50 Over 50: 11-50
LGTBQ Nation: New York Democrats try to repeal state’s “Walking While Trans” law
The Real Deal: REBNY, Legal Aid team up to push for more rental assistance
NYDN: NYC’s homeless not entitled to hotel rooms during COVID pandemic: judge
Marshall Project: Young People Were Told They Could Stay. They Might Get Deported Anyway.
NYN Media: Housing nonprofits, advocates and landlords partner on eviction prevention
Queens Daily Eagle: Cop on modified duty after videos appear to show him kneel on man’s neck
Marketwatch: New York tenants may now be more than $2 billion in debt to their landlords
NYDN: Why Manhattan’s next DA must be a racial justice leader