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:

Defenders demand vaccinations for incarcerated New Yorkers, file lawsuit for access

NYT: A lawsuit in New York demands that prison and jail inmates be vaccinated right away.
Politico: Cuomo hit with lawsuit over Covid-19 vaccinations for inmates
Law and Crime: Inmates, Citing ‘Dangerous Conditions,’ Sue to Get COVID-19 Vaccine Access
NYDN: N.Y. deprives city and state inmates of Covid-19 vaccine: suit
Times Union: Cuomo, Zucker sued over failure to prioritize inmates in vaccine plan
NYLJ: Public Defenders File Lawsuit to Green-Light Inmates for Vaccination
Politico: State begins vaccinating inmates after Cuomo hit with lawsuit
Times Union: Faith-based leaders urge Cuomo to include incarcerated people in vaccine rollout
Queens Daily Eagle: Public defender groups threaten to sue NY to vaccinate inmates
City & State: Why aren’t state prisoners being vaccinated yet?

LAS applauds NYS repeal of “walking while trans” ban

NYT: N.Y. Repeals Law That Critics Say Criminalized ‘Walking While Trans’
NYDN: New York repeals state’s antiquated ‘walking while trans’ ban
Buzzfeed: NY Has Repealed A Law That Allows Police To Discriminate Against Trans People
CNN: New York governor signs bill to repeal ‘walking while trans’ ban
El Diario: Asamblea Estatal de Nueva York derogó prohibición de ‘caminar mientras se es trans’
NowThis: New York Repeals “Walking While Trans” Ban That Targeted LGBTQ+ People Of Color
Advocate: What the Repeal of New York’s ‘Walking While Trans’ Law Means
NBC News: New York repeals ‘walking while trans’ law after years of activism

LAS welcomes Biden’s executive orders on immigration

Law360: New Biden Orders Tackle Family Separation, Asylum Revamp
Voice of America: Biden’s Executive Orders on Immigration Hint at Future Action

More LAS in the news

SI Advance: Why didn’t grand jury indict Mac’s Public House owner for assault?
NYDN: Brooklyn District Attorney to toss out more than 250 open prostitution-related warrants
Daily Beat NY: REBNY learns to tailor message to zeitgeist
Crain’s: State Policy Reforms Will Stabilize Housing Pandemic and After
City Limits: Advocates Call for Stronger Rental Assistance Programs to Stem Pandemic Evictions
The City: After ‘Horrifying’ Arrest, City Advocates Call on Cuomo to Keep Kids Out of Cop Hands
Patch: After Rochester Arrest, City Advocates Call On Cuomo To Keep Kids Out Of Cop Hands
City Limits: Lo que necesita saber: sobre el ingreso del trabajo y del crédito tributario o EITC
Democrat & Chronicle: ‘A mental health crisis should not be a death sentence.’
Law360: NYC Council Speaker Calls On DHS To Fire ICE Field Director
City & State: 2021 Education Power 100