WPLC Responds to Decision to Deny DAPL Easement: Calls for Permanent Stop to Construction & Dropping of Charges Against 550 Water Protectors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2016 CANNON BALL, ND—Today, the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced that it is denying an easement to Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) to drill under Lake Oahe and the Missouri River for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed and alternative routes are […]

Water Protector Legal Collective Files Suit for Excessive Force against Peaceful Protesters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2016 Contact: Tasha Moro, NLG Communications Director: communications@nlg.org | 212-679-5100, ext. 15 CANNON BALL, ND —Today, the Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC-formerly Red Owl), an initiative of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), filed suit in US District Court against Morton County, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirschmeier, and other law enforcement […]

Police Attack Unarmed Standing Rock Water Protectors in Freezing Temperatures with Water Cannons and Other Weapons in 5-Hour Standoff

Contact: Tasha Moro, NLG Communications Director communications@nlg.org | 212-679-5100, ext. 15 CANNON BALL, ND—The Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC; formerly Red Owl), an initiative of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), strongly condemns the flagrant civil and human rights violations committed by Morton County law enforcement last night against unarmed Standing Rock Water Protectors. The standoff […]

Judge Dismisses Trumped-Up Felony Charges Against 15 Water Protectors at Standing Rock

Contact: Tasha Moro, NLG Communications Director communications@nlg.org | 212-679-5100 ext. 15 BISMARCK, ND—On Thursday, Burleigh County Judge Cynthia Feland dismissed felony charges against 15 Water Protectors arrested on October 27 who were praying or protesting near the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Even by police accounts, all but a couple people who may have […]

NLG and ACLU Submit FOIA and Open Records Requests to Investigate Unconstitutional Surveillance of Water Protectors at Standing Rock

Contact: Tasha Moro, NLG Communications Director 212-679-5100, ext. 15# | communications@nlg.org BISMARCK, ND—Today, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), in conjunction with the ACLU of North Dakota, sent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and North Dakota Open Records Act requests to multiple state and federal agencies in response to the surveillance and arrests of the Native-led […]

Law Enforcement Arrest 29 Water Protectors on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Continue to Target Journalists Covering DAPL

Contact: Angela Bibens, Esq.: (701) 226-4579; abibens@aol.com Bruce Ellison, Esq.: (605) 858-1850; belli4law@aol.com or Tasha Moro, NLG Communications Director 212-679-5100, ext. 15#; communications@nlg.org Morton County, ND—Attorneys with the Red Owl Legal Collective (ROLC) of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) call on North Dakota law enforcement to respect freedom of press and the First Amendment rights […]

Federal Judge Dissolves DAPL’s Injunction Against Water Protectors

FROM #NoDAPL NLG LEGAL TEAM IN NORTH DAKOTA Contact: NLG Attorneys Bruce Ellison 605-858-1850 Jeff Haas 505-469-0714 Rachel Lederman 415-350-6496 BISMARCK, ND—North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland today dissolved a temporary restraining order against Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II and a number of named and unnamed participants in protests […]

New Report: Biased International Observers Failed Haiti in 2015, Neutrality and Independence Essential for Upcoming October Elections

For immediate release: September 19, 2016 Contact: Nicole Phillips, Esq., National Lawyers Guild Haiti Committee Nicole@ijdh.org, +001 510 715 2855 (in U.S., speaks English and French) NEW YORK—As Haiti prepares for presidential and legislative elections on October 9, 2016, a new report by voting rights advocates charges that international observation efforts in previous rounds were […]

Finding Irregularities, NLG Delegation Calls for Independent Investigation into the Murder of Honduran Activist, Berta Cáceres

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Natasha Lycia Ora Bannan NLG President president@nlg.org   NEW YORK—The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) denounces the March 2 killing of leading indigenous and environmental activist Berta Cáceres and the investigation by Honduran authorities that followed. A March 8-15 NLG delegation to Honduras met with various Honduran and U.S. government officials, community […]

NLG Remembers Michael Ratner, Past President and Human Rights Crusader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: communications@nlg.org NEW YORK — It is with the greatest sadness that we share the news that our comrade, friend, and past NLG President Michael Ratner died yesterday afternoon at the age of 72. Michael was a true revolutionary lawyer.  He embodied the spirit of the Guild’s founders who believed that the […]