Politics & Government
National Lawyers Guild Has Plan To Assist Anyone Arrested During DNC Protests
McLoughlin has been helping train around 150 lawyers and law students to respond to protest-related arrests at the DNC.
August 15, 2024
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The countdown continues to the Democratic National Convention, and protests are expecting some 25,000 people to come take to the streets and exercise their First Amendment rights.
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On Wednesday, a plan was unveiled for those who are potentially arrested during those demonstrations. Dozens of attorneys have volunteered to represent those who are taken into custody under those circumstances—and many will be wearing green hats to witness what happens in real time.
"It's really important that people are able to be civically engaged and speak out on causes that they are in support of. I think when they see heightened police activity like we see about national security events, sometimes people are scared about protesting," said Matthew McLoughlin, director of operations and mass defense coordinator for the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. "We're hoping that by providing these legal services that people can take to the streets with confidence and make their voices heard."
