• About
    • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
      • Meet the Board
      • Board Documents
    • Annual Report
    • Board of Advisors
    • Contact Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Our Work
    • Wins for the Bay
    • Bay Issues
    • Pro Bono Projects
    • Services Provided
    • Get Legal Help
    • CLA Testimonials
    • CLA’s Legal Documents
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Job Opportunities
    • Get Legal Help
  • Home
  • Guides + Reports
    • Guides + Reports
    • Maryland Violations Tracker
  • News
    • Top News
    • CLA In The News
    • CLA Publications
    • CLA News
    • BAY BRIEF Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Foundation Partners
    • Planning for the Future
    • Become A Law Firm Partner
    • Gifts Of Stocks + Securities

Contact Us | Donate

Chesapeake Legal AllianceChesapeake Legal Alliance
  • About
    • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
      • Meet the Board
      • Board Documents
    • Annual Report
    • Board of Advisors
    • Contact Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Our Work
    • Wins for the Bay
    • Bay Issues
    • Pro Bono Projects
    • Services Provided
    • Get Legal Help
    • CLA Testimonials
    • CLA’s Legal Documents
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Job Opportunities
    • Get Legal Help
  • Home
  • Guides + Reports
    • Guides + Reports
    • Maryland Violations Tracker
  • News
    • Top News
    • CLA In The News
    • CLA Publications
    • CLA News
    • BAY BRIEF Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Foundation Partners
    • Planning for the Future
    • Become A Law Firm Partner
    • Gifts Of Stocks + Securities
Home CLA NewsA Statement from Chesapeake Legal Alliance Leadership
A Statement from Chesapeake Legal Alliance Leadership

A Statement from Chesapeake Legal Alliance Leadership

Jun 1, 2020 | CLA News, CLA Publications, Top News |

A true democracy relies on equal application of the law and the fair administration of justice.  Systemic racism in this country, however, results in the inconsistent and unjust application of our nation’s laws to Black and Brown people. In the aftermath of the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Monika Diamond, and countless others throughout the history of our nation, it has become abundantly clear that our justice system is failing Black and Brown Americans. As lawyers, and as fellow humans, we must work to end this injustice; silence is not an option.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) stands in solidarity with those who are fighting the hate and bigotry that plagues our society. 

For those in our community who are hurting, we see you and we stand with you in fighting for justice and equity.

For those who seek to be allies, we urge you to take action to address the long-standing challenges racism weaves through society as a whole, including the environmental movement. True environmentalism doesn’t exist without racial & social justice; they are inextricably linked.

Today, as an organization, CLA takes the Intersectional Environmentalist Pledge:* 

  • We will stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and POC communities and the planet.
  • We will not ignore the intersections of environmentalism and social justice.
  • We will use our collective privilege to advocate for Black and Brown lives in spaces where this message is often silenced.
  • We will proactively do the work to learn about environmental and social injustices Black, Indigenous, and POC communities face without minimizing them.
  • We will respect the boundaries of  Black, Indigenous, and POC friends and activists, and not demand they perform emotional labor or do the work for us.
  • We will share our learning with other environmentalists in our community.
  • We will amplify the messages of Black, Indigenous, and POC activists and environmental leaders.
  • We will not remain silent during pivotal political and cultural moments that impact  Black, Indigenous, and POC communities.

We invite you to join us in this commitment.

Sincerely,

Russell StevensonEliza Smith SteinmeierDavid Reed

 

 

 

       Russell Stevenson                              Eliza Smith Steinmeier                        David Reed

     Chairman of the Board                        Co-Executive Director                     Co-Executive Director

*The Intersectional Environmental Pledge was created by Leah Thomas

Photo Credit: @GreenGirlLeah (Instagram)

P.S. Our work does not end here, however. It is easy to point at other cultures and call them ‘broken’– for their poverty, for their historic disadvantages, for their oppression, and for their inequality. But it’s time for us to look in the mirror and confront the uncomfortable truths about the broken culture in OUR country. This reckoning can only begin in earnest by owning our implicit bias and taking active steps towards change. In the coming months, we will be sharing all the ways in which Chesapeake Legal Alliance is implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) initiatives in our work and our organizational culture.

How can you be part of the solution?

  • Start with yourself. Do your own internal reflection and assessment with an implicit bias test.
  • Check out anti-racist resources, like this one. You will find a list of books, films, social media accounts, podcasts and other resources.
  • Donate to organizations fighting for racial and social justice. Find a long list of opportunities here.
  • Patronize Black-owned businesses and restaurants in your area.
  • Make sure you are registered to vote.

To learn more about intersectional environmentalism, check out:

  • Intersectional Environmentalism: Why Environmental Justice Is Essential For A Sustainable Future by Leah Thomas
  • Why Environmentalism Needs to be Intersectional by Yinka N. Bode-George
  • Intersectionality and the History of Knowledge by Aiden Beatty
« Previous Post
Next Post »

You also might be interested in

Startling Surge in Annual Rainfall Levels Demands State Action

Startling Surge in Annual Rainfall Levels Demands State Action

Jun 4, 2021

By Evan Isaacson Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric[...]

CLA and Other Environmental Groups File Suit Challenging MDE’s Flawed Industrial Stormwater General Permit

CLA and Other Environmental Groups File Suit Challenging MDE’s Flawed Industrial Stormwater General Permit

Dec 19, 2022

As a result of major flaws in the Maryland Department[...]

Learning Land Use with CLA: A One-on-One with Land Use Lawyers

Learning Land Use with CLA: A One-on-One with Land Use Lawyers

Jun 16, 2022

This webinar, moderated by CLA Attorney Will Halnon, is the[...]

News + Updates

  • CLA News
  • CLA Publications
  • Wins for the Bay
  • BAY BRIEF Newsletter
  • Annual Report
  • All News

Recent Posts

  • BAY BRIEF March 2023 March 22, 2023
  • BAY BRIEF February 2023 March 22, 2023
  • BAY BRIEF January 2023 March 21, 2023

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
Need legal assistance? We Can Help

Contact Us

Chesapeake Legal Alliance
106 Ridgely Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

P: (410) 216-9441
F: (410) 216-7077

Charity Navigator
Strategic Plan
Annual Report

© 2023 Chesapeake Legal Alliance. All Rights Reserved. Website by The Downstream Project

  • Bay Issues
  • Pro Bono Projects
  • Services Provided
  • Get Legal Help
  • CLA Testimonials
  • CLA Legal Documents
Prev Next