We are reaching out to make you aware of work Empire Justice Center is doing to help combat discriminatory practices in schools across New York State. As you may know, Empire Justice Center is a statewide, not for profit public interest law firm that protects and strengthens the legal rights of low-income New Yorkers through direct civil legal representation, policy advocacy, and training and support to other advocates and organizations.
We provide a phone and email helpline for legal advice and counsel to students and families who may have been the subject of discrimination at a school in New York State. We ask for your help in getting the word out about this resource to your community.
In 2019, Empire Justice Center helped to amend the New York State Human Rights Law to prohibit discrimination in public schools and other educational institutions by reason of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, age, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence. To help students—particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalized, and/or low income—exercise their rights under the law, Empire Justice Center launched a school discrimination helpline in October of 2022.
We provide families and students free legal advice and counsel, we help assess their legal options under state and federal law, and in a limited number of cases, we provide direct representation before the New York State Division of Human Rights or in other forums. Every student deserves to feel safe at school and has the right to receive an education that is free from discrimination. Empire Justice Center is committed to helping make this goal a reality for all students in New York.
The resources are listed below, as is draft content for a newsletter or website resource page.
Resources:
- To use the Helpline, please call: 1-800-724-0490 Ext. 5827 or email schooldiscriminationhelpline@empirejustice.org.
- Visit https://empirejustice.org/school-discrimination/ for more information.
- Attached please find our flyer and Know Your Rights guide to pass along to your clients, contacts, or community members.
Draft newsletter/website text:
- Legal Counsel Helpline Available for Students and Families
A statewide public interest law firm has launched a statewide school helpline that will provide advice and counsel to students and families who may have been the subject of discrimination at a school in New York State.
Any students or families concerned they have been the subject of discrimination in a school setting in New York State can call (800) 724-0490 Ext. 5827 or email schooldiscriminationhelpline@empirejustice.org to get legal guidance to understand and navigate their options.
Read the full announcement; More information about Empire Justice Center’s school discrimination work is also available at https://empirejustice.org/school-discrimination.