Category: Archive

LA Weekly: Music Pick (LIVESTREAMING): Lil TJay

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, low-income black and brown communities like the Bronx have been hit the hardest,” wrote Justine Olderman, Executive Director of Bronx Defenders, on a press release for the mixtape. “This is a community that depends heavily on public transportation, encompasses countless essential workers, and is over criminalized into a […]

Notice of Claim

In the wake of protests and increased police violence and misconduct, we know that many have been harmed fighting for justice. If you have experienced abuse at the hands of the police, such as physical violence or the destruction of your property, filing a Notice of Claim is a step towards holding them accountable. What […]

The Marshall Project: Is Child Abuse Really Rising During The Pandemic?

“We have a child welfare system that is particularly, extremely sensitive to the media, so we should be very sure of narratives before we put them out there,” said Emma Ketteringham, managing director of the family defense practice at the Bronx Defenders in New York City, an organization that provides free legal services for low-income […]

Warwick Valley Dispatch: Comm. Members Discuss Anti-Racism Focus In Warwick Schools

“A virtual “town hall” meeting for Warwick parents and educators took place on Sun., June 7, via zoom conference, with over 30 attendees. Its purpose was to come together as an educational community to discuss implementing a culturally responsible and actively anti-racist culture in Warwick schools. Meant as a gateway to greater community engagement, the […]

Law360: Virus Concerns Loom Over Handling Of Mass Arrests

“Police should not be arresting individuals who are peacefully exercising their First Amendment right to protest, said Ann Mathews, managing director of the criminal defense practice at Bronx Defenders. And if cops do cuff peaceful protesters, district attorneys should decline to prosecute them, Mathews said.” Read the full article here

The Appeal: The NYPD ‘Cancelled’ Police Court Appearances, Leaving People To Sit In Jail

“Over the next four weeks, the city’s criminal courts began addressing the backlog. But then the NYPD issued its directives canceling court appearances. “You have individuals who have been in a kind of indefinite pre-inquiry-of-any-kind detention” because of the COVID-19 court shutdowns, said Ann Mathews, managing director of the criminal defense practice at the Bronx […]

News12 Brooklyn: Unrest in America: A News 12 Special Report

Lenora Easter, BxD’s Early Defense Team Leader, spoke with News12 Brooklyn about Bronx Defenders’ legal emergency hotline and everything that public defenders have been dealing with midst the George Floyd protests. Watch starting at 5:44 here

Courthouse News: New York City Reaches Virus Milestone With Infections Down to 1%

“During the public testimony portion of the City Council hearing, New Yorkers expressed outrage over the behavior of the NYPD during citywide protests. “As public defenders in the South Bronx, none of this has come as a surprise. It’s the treatment we regularly see our clients, overwhelmingly black and brown people, subjected to,” said Zami […]

Norwood News: New Bill to Protect Contact Tracing Data from Law Enforcement

“Rivera said he was honored to have worked with Neighborhood Defender Services, Center for Community Alternatives, The Bronx Defenders, and the New York Civil Liberties Union in drafting the new bill, based on powerful testimony he heard at the joint legislative hearing held in May on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority communities. “This […]