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Events
The Legal Aid Society, in partnership with Manhattan Community Boards 9, 10, and 11, hosted a Harlem Community Forum this past Saturday at the PAL Harlem Center, providing a full day of free legal support, educational workshops, and civic dialogue to hundreds of Harlem residents.
The forum was designed to empower local residents by offering access to legal guidance, in-depth know-your-rights programming, and a town hall-style conversation with nearly every elected official representing Harlem.
Throughout the day, Legal Aid attorneys provided free legal information and resources on a range of issues including housing, immigration, employment, public benefits, and youth justice. Residents also participated in focused workshops on tenants’ rights and immigrants’ rights, addressing urgent topics such as eviction protections, the housing court process, housing discrimination, and what to do if approached by federal immigration enforcement.
The event concluded with a community-led town hall where Harlem residents shared their concerns and vision for the neighborhood directly with elected officials. Legal Aid also used the opportunity to inform attendees about key policy initiatives currently before the New York City Council and New York State Legislature—and how community members can take action to support them.
“The Harlem Community Forum was about more than just providing legal services—it was about empowering Harlem residents with the knowledge, tools, and platforms to advocate for their rights and for the changes they want to see in their community,” said Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society. “From free legal consultations to know-your-rights workshops, and an informative town hall with elected officials, the day was a testament to what’s possible when community and advocacy come together. We were especially proud to amplify local voices through video booths, allowing residents to speak directly to leaders in Albany and City Hall on urgent issues like housing, immigration, youth services, and criminal legal system reform.”