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Alliance Of Lawyers Offering Pro Bono Legal Help To Arrested Protesters
Attorneys Humberto Guizar (L) and Austin Dove (R) have formed the 'Protesters Defense Alliance' to offer pro bono legal services to arrested protesters. (Robert Garrova/LAist)
A group of lawyers calling themselves the Protesters Defense Alliance marched to District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s downtown office Friday to demand that cases against protesters be dismissed.
They’re also offering pro bono legal services for people who’ve been arrested while exercising their First Amendment rights. The alliance says, so far, it’s amassed a group of about 50 lawyers for their cause.
“There was bedlam going on out there and there are people that were swept up in droves,” said attorney Austin Dove, speaking outside LAPD Headquarters Friday. “Many of them have not had a fair process,” said Dove, adding, “It is a frightful moment.”
According to the LAPD, about 3,000 people have been arrested during the protests — most for failing to disperse or for curfew violations.
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Organizers with the Protesters Defense Alliance say they don’t believe arrested demonstrators should have any charges sitting on their record.
“We want to give them justice by using our skills to defend them” said Humberto Guizar, one of the organizing attorneys. “Because they stood up for George Floyd when he was unjustly killed.”
They’ve set up a hotline — (877) 71-JUSTICE — and website where demonstrators can get in touch.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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