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, NYCLU sue City, Mayor over police brutality at George Floyd protests

NY1: Protesters Suing NYPD and City Hall Over Violent Policing at BLM Protests
Politico: Civil rights groups sue de Blasio, NYPD over protest response
AP: NYPD sued over aggressive tactics against Floyd protesters
Patch: George Floyd Protesters Sue De Blasio, NYPD Over ‘Violence’
AMNY: Mayor, NYPD sued by protesters arrested and assaulted during George Floyd protests
Gothamist: Civil Rights Groups Sue De Blasio, NYPD For “Deliberately Violent” Response To Protests
Newsday: Groups sue De Blasio and NYPD, citing use of excessive force during NYC protests
The Crime Report: Two Groups Sue NYC Officials for Brutalizing Protesters
Forbes: NYC Civil Rights Organizations Sue NYPD, City Officials For Alleged ‘Police Brutality’
NYDN: Mayor, NYPD accused of condoning excessive force at George Floyd protests in lawsuit
TapInfo: Civil Rights Groups Sue City & NYPD on Behalf of BLM Protestors
Queens Daily Eagle: Civil rights groups sue NYPD for brutality during George Floyd protests
NY Post: NYC sued for police brutality during George Floyd protests
WSJ: Protesters sue New York City Mayor, Police Officials Over Handling of Protests
Fox5: NYC faces lawsuit over protests
NYLJ: Hold NYC Mayor, Police Commissioner Accountable for NYPD Conduct During Protests
WaPo: New York mayor, police commissioner sued over clashes at George Floyd protests
El Diario: El alcalde y el NYPD son acusados de consentir brutalidad policial
BK Reader: Brooklyn Protesters Trapped, Beaten, Humiliated by NYPD Officers: Lawsuit
NBC News: NYPD sued over ‘brutal response’ to George Floyd protesters
Norwood News: Lawsuit Filed Against City of New York over Police Brutality during BLM Protests
Revolt: NYPD sued for “brutalizing,” violating protesters’ civil rights
Bloomberg: Lawsuits Over Protest Brutality Pile Up, Adding to Cities’ Police Costs

LAS demands wi-fi access for all homeless students

NY Daily News: NYC will install Wi-Fi in homeless shelters following report on homeless students
Politico: City says every homeless shelter will have Wi-Fi amid trouble with remote learning
CBS2: Homeless Families Say They Can’t Log In For Remote Learning, Are Threatened by ACS
NYDN: Families unable to have kids log into online classes fear reports to child services for truancy
The Cut: Locked out of Remote School
Pix 11: Legal group threatens to sue NYC over digital divide for homeless students
Gotham Gazette: As De Blasio Promises WiFi in Shelters to Help Homeless Children Learn
NYDN: NYC plans to install Wi-Fi in all family homeless shelters by next summer
NY Chalkbeat: NYC’s shelter Wi-Fi plan expected to wrap up after school year ends
NY1: As Students Struggle to Connect, Some Shelters Won’t Get WiFi Until Summer
CBS2: Mayor Addresses Concerns About Lack Of Internet For Students In Homeless Shelters
Politico: City’s plan to install WiFi in shelters won’t be complete before the summer

LAS sues City to protect homeless New Yorkers

Patch: Legal Aid Society Demands City Offer Solo Rooms For NY Homeless
West Side Rag: LAS Demands that City Give All Homeless People Solo Rooms During Covid
NYDN: NYC full of empty hotel rooms could be used to house homeless during COVID pandemic
NY Post: Legal Aid Society wants separate hotel rooms for homeless during COVID-19
El Diario: Una demanda pide a la Ciudad proteger a solteros sin techo en habitaciones de hotel
CBS880: Lawsuit calls on New York City to provide single hotel rooms for homeless individuals
The Real Deal: Lawsuit blasts NYC’s “capricious” Covid-19 homeless response
Politico: Legal Aid demands city expand homeless hotel footprint

LAS decries spike in use of force against incarcerated New Yorkers at City jails

The City: Force Use Against Inmates Reached Record as COVID Hit New York City
AMNY: City failed to hold Corrections responsible for Rikers Island brutality, monitor’s report finds
Gothamist: Use Of Force On The Rise In City Jails, Despite Historically Low Inmate Population
Bronx Times: City failed to hold Corrections responsible for Rikers Island brutality
Chief Leader: Monitor: Use of Force in Jails Rose Despite Big Reduction in Inmates

More LAS in the news

NYT: The Talk of Montauk
Norwood News: Fordham Manor: Tenants Go Without Gas for Almost One Year
NYLJ: NY Prison System Faces Soaring Virus Infections at Southern Tier Facility
The City: There’s No Eviction Moratorium on NYC Storage Units.
El Diario: El invierno llega, ¿Está NYCHA preparada? El contralor dice que no
NYDN: Is fairness in the NYPD’s DNA?
NYLJ: 2nd Circuit Upholds Burden for Government in ICE Detention Case
The Real Deal: Supreme Court shift could favor rent law challengers
NY Focus: Incarcerated People Have One Week to Get Stimulus Checks. Prisons Stand in the Way
City & State: Incarcerated New Yorkers may lose out on stimulus checks
Associated Press: NYPD officer in violent arrest quits before discipline trial
Norwood News: NYPD Chief Holmes Promoted to Chief of Patrol amid More Leadership Changes
El Diario: Instan a neoyorquinos a conocer sus derechos a manifestarse ante posibles protestas