According to the ABA, "movement lawyering" means "...taking direction from directly impacted communities and from organizers, as opposed to imposing our leadership or expertise as legal advocates. It means building the power of the people, not the power of the law. Support is needed as people take to the streets and hold spaces to collectively heal and as we work over the long haul to dismantle systems of oppression, including white supremacy, cis-heteropatriarchy, and capitalism in our country."
The article takes a deeper dive into six key aspects of movement lawyering:
- Show up in community spaces.
- Build relationships with community organizers working toward transformative social change in your city.
- Connect with other lawyers, legal workers, and law students to assess collective capacity and build community.
- Organize a reflection and grieving space at your law office or law school.
- Commit yourself to using law to build power for the people.
- Stay connected and engaged with us.
ABA article on Movement Lawyering