The op-ed pages of print and online media outlets provide an important platform for us to speak in our own voices about the connection between civil legal aid and current events. In recent weeks, Voices helped JusticeVoices network members bring legal aid into current media conversations about issues as varied as state budget-setting, the opioid crisis, sexual assault in the military, human trafficking, veteran homelessness, immigration policy, school and workplace discrimination, and public service loan forgiveness. Here are some highlights:
- For Governing’s large audience of state and local government officials, States’ Vital Role in Providing Civil Justice for Everyone
- For STAT News’ wide national audience in the health sector, Opioid recovery teams benefit from the addition of lawyers
- For Stars and Stripes’ military audience, Senator’s plan best for GI sex-assault victims
- For The Hill’s audience of national policy makers, Funding restrictions for human trafficking grants can prevent victims from getting justice and Senators, ask Dr. Ronny Jackson about civil legal aid for homeless vets
- For the Washington Post, Sessions holds safety beyond the grasp of abuse victims
- For the New York Times (letter to the editor), When Pregnant Women Face Workplace Bias
- For state capital outlets, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Tennessean, We must distinguish between scary students and annoying ones and Congress should continue loan forgiveness for public-service employees
Legal aid for immigrant families commands media spotlight
JusticeVoices network members at Legal Aid Justice Center (Virginia) and Philadelphia Legal Assistance answered our call for stories about the importance of legal help in addressing family separation. CBS This Morning, CNN, and CNN Espanol all covered LAJC attorney Sophia Gregg’s successful effort to reunite two asylum-seeking families. PLA attorney Susan Pearlstein’s op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer brought attention to how the lack of legal help inflicts trauma on families separated by the civil justice system in foster care and child custody situations.