2009 NLG Social Justice Dinner

2009 Minnesota NLG Social Justice Dinner

April 18th 2009, 6pm to 10pm

William Mitchell College of Law

 

Ajamu Baraka, Director of US Human Rights Network, Keynote Speaker

Ajama Baraka, a veteran grassroots organizer for a variety of social justice issues, currently serves as Exec. Director of the US Human Rights Network, a network of over 250 human rights and social justice organizations committed to ending U.S. global impunity and "exceptionalism." Ajamu's  human rights work spans more than three decades with a number of national and international organizations including Amnesty International USA. Ajamu has taught political science at several universities, including Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College. In 1998, Ajamu was honored by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as one of the 300 human rights defenders from around the world.

Honoring:

ACORN, Social Justice Award

ACORN-Minnesota has been active on economic issues impacting low-income and lower-middle income neighborhoods for many years. They have been particularly active on Community Reinvestment Act issues, pressuring local banks through public direct action tactics to be more responsive to community needs and to eliminate red-lining practices. They have also been prominent over the years in opposing predatory lending and working on legislation at the state and local level. Currently, they are working with groups in North Minneapolis on the foreclosure crisis inordinately impacting minority neighborhoods and tenants.

 

Karen Northcott, Paul Marino Peoples' Lawyering Award

Karen Northcott has been the premier legal investigator in our community since 1973, when active work at Wounded Knee moved her career direction from journalism to law. She is distinguished by being the only legal worker who has served as President of our NLG-MN Chapter. For many years, Karen worked on several major police misconduct cases with Rick McPherson. She has also worked on criminal defense and other important plaintiff rights cases with many members of the local bar. For the last eight years, she has worked for the Hennepin County Public Defender.

 

Reservations:  612-436-3664

or e-mail sjdtickets@nlgminnesota.org

Tickets $50, student/low income $15, table of 8 $350

* Criminal Defense Investigator Karen Northcott, CCDI was president of our chapter nearly 20 years ago.