Aaron Steinberg, Communications Director, Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts

One might expect that Massachusetts would be a leader in addressing societal issues like incarceration. In a few ways we are doing well: we have one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country, we are one of the few states to make phone calls free for incarcerated people (although this hasn’t been without issue), and we’re closer than ever to passing a prison … Read more>>

It was a long but successful day for the 21 defendants represented by Mass Defenders Committee members Kylah Clay and Andrew Fischer. The day began with a rally organized by XR and the local SPJE (Stop Private Jet Expansion) chapter in support of the defendants, who were arrested for protesting the proposed expansion of private jet hangars at Hanscom Field. Private … Read more>>

The MIT Coalition For Palestine announces a major divestment win for its Scientists Against Genocide (SAGE) movement : MIT has ended the MISTI-Israel Lockheed Martin Fund. This is the first known shutdown of an American-Israeli weapons manufacturer partnership at a U.S. university since the war on Gaza has begun, and MIT has chosen to end this partnership despite renewing … Read more>>

With its roots in anti-militarist activism stretching back nearly 50 years, Demilitarize Western Massachusetts (Demil) carries forth a long tradition of peace and justice activism in the Connecticut River Valley region through divestment, civil disobedience, and advocacy efforts, spanning a range of anti-war and anti-racist battles, into the present day – a pivotal moment for intervention against the military industrial … Read more>>

The Litigation Committee continues to fight for systemic change, advancing a number of matters against law enforcement entities and large corporate entities.

Our action against the Boston Police Department (BPD) for their intransigence has resulted in an award of $40,000 in legal fees. After almost three years of obstruction and obfuscation by Boston Police in acquiring records regarding BPD’s response, or lack thereof, during … Read more>>

On Saturday, September 7th, law students from Northeastern U., Boston U., UMass Darmouth, New England Law Boston, and Harvard U. came together with NLG-Mass Chapter Executive Director Urszula Masny-Latos at Andala Café in Cambridge to drink mint tea and strategize over falafels. Urszula introduced NLG’s mission to the students and outlined ways to get involved. She discussed opportunities to shadow ongoing work regarding surveillance of activists and criminal defense for pro-Palestinian activists. Additionally, she encouraged students to intern in the upcoming year and highlighted past interns’ research as foundational … Read more>>

What is SJP

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is a national organization with chapters across many different universities in the United States.  It was founded on the idea of promoting liberation, justice, human rights, and self-determination for the Palestinian people on college campuses. SJP values exist to resist all forms of racism, discrimination, and violence.   At UMass Lowell, we … Read more>>

In July, our Chapter members gathered in Cambridge for the Annual Summer Retreat. The day was beautiful, food was tasty, and the company was quite engaged in discussing our current affairs and what’s ahead of us. We spent a lot of time listening to our students and discussing ways to effectively maintain our relationships with NLG student chapters and what … Read more>>

A media campaign by the Palestine Advocacy Project has faced extraordinary pushback from the MBTA as well as private companies in the Boston area that appear determined to keep the organization’s messages from reaching the public.

The Palestine Advocacy Project, a group that creates public media and education campaigns about the Palestinian struggle, launched a mass media awareness campaign in … Read more>>

In September of 2023, the Cape Cod chapter of the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) contacted NLG-Mass Chapter for legal advice on a tenant organizing issue.  The tenants in question were veterans and families of veterans living in a repurposed motel in Sandwich, MA, that was operating under the name of the “Liberty Lodge.” As was covered in the in … Read more>>

Great news from that Litigation Committee, as we continue to advance a number of matters against law enforcement entities and large corporate entities.

Thanks to stellar efforts from lead counsel David Kelston and Jeff Petrucelly, we received a decision from Judge Cowin granting a significant amount of attorneys’ fees and costs after hearing on our Motion for Attorney Fees in … Read more>>

UMass Law NLG has had an incredibly productive summer, and we anticipate a fall semester full of meaningful opportunities for public service! First and most notably, UMass Law NLG was selected to participate in NLG’s national conference in Birmingham. Our panel will consist of law school students and administrators drawing from their unique experiences to deconstructing barriers to law school education … Read more>>

The Litigation Committee maintains the fight on multiple fronts, thanks mostly to the work of our gallant committee members.

We are still waiting on a decision from Judge Colin after the hearing of our Motion for Attorney Fees in the Suffolk Superior Court. David Kelston and Jeff Petrucelly made well-crafted and supported arguments for NLG, aided by Jonathan Messinger and … Read more>>

by Jeff Feuer

As the slaughter of mainly women and children civilians in Gaza continues, repression of student protests calling for an immediate ceasefire, divestment from arms manufacturers, cutting of ties with the Israeli government, and other remedial measures has increased at Massachusetts colleges and universities, both public and private.  Students have faced immediate suspensions from their school without being … Read more>>

Coordinating LOs at the Tufts encampment was often a question of risk management and vigilance.  This was one of the longest campus lived-encampments, going from April 7th to May 3, 2024.  It wasn’t uncommon to watch a high-tension situation for hours – or for that matter a low-tension situation – waiting to see if we should change the … Read more>>

In the early morning hours of April 27, 2024, the sun rose over Centennial Common at Northeastern University, throwing early morning light onto a scene that harkens back to the fateful hours leading up to the Kent State massacre over fifty years ago. Northeastern students had occupied Centennial Common with tents, chairs, plastic tables, and … Read more>>