Jason Wu’s Post

Social justice, equality, and civil rights go hand-in-hand with studying the law. If you're passionate about those issues and want to pivot into a legal career, we've got a great roadmap for you: https://lnkd.in/gwX8EHt5

A Momentous Day for Family Diversity! 🌟 Cambridge, MA, has made history by becoming the second U.S. city to pass an ordinance protecting diverse families from discrimination based on family and relationship structure, acknowledging the evolving nature of modern relationships. My colleagues and I at Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition were proud to have drafted this as well as the similar non-discrimination ordinance passed by Somerville in March 2023. It's a forward-thinking acknowledgement that diverse family structures, including polyamorous relationships, embody the very essence of stability, mutual support, and shared responsibilities – values at the heart of traditional family dynamics. By acknowledging today’s family forms we help create stable, nurturing society, this measure transcends political divides, resonating with universal values. It represents a significant step towards aligning legal frameworks with contemporary family structures. Recognizing today’s family structures is not just about legality; it's about valuing the myriad ways we find love, support, and stability. I am heartened to see our understanding of 'family' evolve to embrace all its forms. This law isn't just about legal changes; it’s about recognizing and valuing the ways we find love, support, and stability in our lives. This is a historic step, yet it is also a measured progression towards a society where every family, no matter its structure, is seen, respected, and protected. Today, Cambridge stands as a beacon of inclusivity and respect. #diversefamilies #cambridge #somerville #inclusivity #nondiscrimination #inclusivelaw #familyvalues #modernfamily #polyamory #inclusivenarratives #embracediversity #embraceconnection #poly #polyamorous #multiamory #nonmonogamous #nonmonogamy #normalizingnonmonogamy #love #consesualnonmonogamy #cnm #ethicalnonmonogamy #enm #diversity #loveislove #relationshipdiversity

As I have mentioned before I love ripple effects. Not mentioned in the article and his long list of contributions is the report he coauthored with Alvin Curling in 2007, The Roots of Youth Violence. I used various elements of the report to validate what I had been saying for years. The roots are found in the systemic structures around youth and are similar to do, but not precisely , the Social Determinants of Health. Second some of the recommendations highlighted the essential role of youth workers in the community who could function as bridges and also leverage their lived experience. It also lead to the creation of the Provincial Youth Outreach Workers. Fast forward 16 years later and I was invited to train a group of 35 of them for the Scarborough area in May! What deepens this work is the acknowledgment of the Indigenous/First Mations/Afrocentric perspective that infuses modern community work. Also we are much more cognizant of the role and impact on everyone, including youth, of trauma and it’s transmission thru generations. Ripples continue outward and some things take time….lots of time! #restorativepractices #traumainformed #traumaresponsive #transformations #roots

This #IWD it’s important to recognise that women’s experiences in the criminal justice system are often overlooked and data gaps make it hard to spot and address concerning trends.     But our new project aims to help fix this.    This lack of visibility is especially true for young racialised women. Their experiences, at the intersection of race, age and gender, disappear in discussions about the justice system all too often. Following our 2021 report on racial disparities in the youth justice system (https://bit.ly/3wDXvfI), we are now working with Travers Smith to look at the specific challenges faced by Black and racialised girls and young women in the criminal justice system. Looking at each stage of this system, from entry to post-release, we aim to shed light on the unique barriers and disadvantages faced by this acutely marginalised group and to propose meaningful, practical reforms to address these issues.  

National Legal Services Day (NLSD)- 9th November As part of a democracy, it is critical that citizens have access to a legal system which upholds justice based on fairness. Unfortunately, many individuals face barriers in accessing this justice due to factors like illiteracy or poverty which prevents them from accessing this justice. #seekersthoughts #justice #peace https://lnkd.in/dfcmYcQP

Social Justice Warrior and New York State Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo who represents District 84 in the Bronx came out to support “ The Right to Remain Silent advocacy a few months back and everyone was happy that she was there. (The Right to Remain Silent bill currently being advocated for in New York aims to provide crucial protections for minors during police interrogations. This proposed legislation would ensure that teens and young adults have the opportunity to speak to a lawyer before being questioned by law enforcement, addressing a significant gap in current practices where minors can be interrogated without legal counsel or parental presence). The bill is particularly focused on protecting vulnerable populations, such as Black and Latinx youth, who are disproportionately targeted by police interrogations. Supporters argue that without access to legal counsel, these youths are at risk of coercion and wrongful convictions due to their inability to fully understand and navigate their rights [oai_citation:4,New York Justice Advocates Defend Teens’ Right to Remain Silent](https://lnkd.in/eNiYcy-K). If passed, this law would align New York with other states like California and Maryland, which have enacted similar protections to ensure justice and prevent the abuse of minors during legal processes Assemblywoman Septimo is a lifelong Bronx resident and dedicated activist, who has been a tireless advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice from a young age. Her journey began at 12 Amanda's unwavering dedication to equity led her to the New York State Assembly, where she passionately supports the right to remain silent legislation and consistently champions youth empowerment and community inclusion. Her work embodies a deep commitment to ensuring that every resident of the South Bronx receives the resources and representation they deserve, fostering true social equity. #socialequity #socialjustice #policychange #publicpolicy #advocacy #newyorkstateassembly #righttoremainsilent #protectouryouth

Today marks a new beginning for these families. For the last year, they have endured a difficult period as their children faced countless violent racial motived attacks at their schools, targeted based on their status as immigrants. Today, one more of their assailants pled guilty in Norfolk District Court. In a bizarre twist, one of the attackers had taken out cross warrants against the victims, converting them from victims to defendants, doubtless in a vain attempt to pressure the victims to drop their pursuit of accountability. This situation highlights the absurdity of a system where false allegations can distort justice, and where individuals charged with sorting truth from fiction outside of court permit retaliatory charges to go forward. These cross-warrant procedures are allowed to proceed, even though prosecutors knew the allegations were bogus and misleading. As an immigrant myself, I worry about the message this process sends to oppressed communities about voicing and presenting crimes of abuse and violence against minorities. The courts and prosecutors should encourage victim reporting and resorting to the police and courts for help, rather than engaging in violent self help. Cross-warrants, ironically, have the opposite effect. They show our legal system can easily be manipulated to the detriment of the vulnerable. This case underscores the urgent need for legal reforms to protect immigrant communities from such legal manipulations and ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected. Allowing aggressors to play victim without procedural oversight sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of the vulnerable within our legal system. We must stand together to advocate for a fair and just legal process that truly serves all members of our community, especially those who are most vulnerable. The integrity of our justice system depends on it. Rob "Butch" Bracknell Jackie Glass Hispanic Heritage Foundation Hispanic Scholarship Fund Latinos for Education Congreso de Latinos Unidos LinkedIn Noticias América Latina #educationforall

Changing bail laws to lock up more children is a short-term political stunt that won’t fix a thing on the ground. “You don’t make communities safer by locking up children. Tightening bail laws to keep children locked up hasn’t worked in a single place it’s been tried. You only have to look at what’s happening in Queensland to see that it will be an unmitigated disaster," said our CEO, Karly Warner. A coalition of Aboriginal and legal groups are calling on the Minns Government to invest in solutions that work, rather than short-sighted political fixes that will make communities more dangerous. We are: Aboriginal Legal Service, AH&MRC of NSW, First Peoples Disability Network, BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation, AbSec, Shopfront Youth Legal Centre, Link-Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc., Redfern Legal Centre, Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association Inc. https://lnkd.in/g5Zn2zra

At some stage intelligent people need to question what is the intention of incarcerating children and young people. When all the scientific and academic evidence presented year after year to Government… suggests that placing Children in custody - destroys their lives. If the powers that be, are aware of that evidence and research. Why are they implementing laws that lead to destroying childrens lives - When instead they could be supporting children and young people with theraputic measures and wholistic & anti oppressive approaches that can minimise seeing kids in custody and support healing instesd of the destruction their lives. Children and Young people are our future tax payers and future leaders. Shouldnt we just be supporting them with an eye on the future & what it looks like for them?

National Homelessness Law Center : #Law #Center #Statement #on #Today’s #United #Nations #Report #Decrying #Ongoing #Human #Rights #Abuses #Against #Unhoused #People #3November2023 "WASHINGTON, D.C. – (November 3, 2023) Today, the #United #Nations Human Rights Committee #highlighted #serious #and #ongoing #patterns #of #human #rights #abuses — #including #those #against #people #experiencing #homelessness #and #poverty — in the Concluding Observations from its #recent #convening that #investigated the #United #States’ #compliance #with the #International #Covenant #on #Civil #and #Political #Rights."