Statement on Equal Justice
The tragic death of George Floyd has caused painful but necessary examination of what we as a Nation are doing to address racism and inequality. The New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association renews and vows to strengthen our commitment to full and equal access to the legal profession and the justice system, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, privilege, position in society, or any other unique attribute.
Our Constitution itself demonstrates that equal justice for all was not accomplished with our Nation’s founding; in many ways, it still eludes us. As a Chapter, our commitment to the Rule of Law is grounded in the conviction that the law allows us to stay peacefully connected to each other as citizens. When the law is not fulfilling that purpose, we must speak up, and we must offer leadership, guidance, and hope.
Our Constitution also demonstrates our capacity for progress and change. The belief that views and behavior can change is reflected in our Chapter’s educational programs, community outreach, and efforts to include and encourage participation from diverse segments of our bar. We must stand firm in that belief. We must listen to each other and work to elevate public discourse. We must play an active role in the process of developing reforms and effecting meaningful change, and we must do so in ways that are deliberate, dignified, and reflective of our overarching commitment to the Rule of Law and Equal Access to Justice.
Our Chapter prides itself on being a leader in innovation, cutting edge issues, and setting the cadence for overcoming challenges that face our community. Over the course of the next year, and beyond, the Chapter will employ a renewed focus on addressing these issues head-on. Among other initiatives, we will host programming focused on Civil Rights issues, endeavor to include diverse members in our panel discussions and other activities, and strive for more partnership with other organizations sharing similar goals.
Racism and acts of violence targeted against people of color must end. We encourage our members to remain engaged and to unequivocally reject all forms of intolerance, violence, and racism. We must work together to build a better future.
Board members with judicial and other governmental positions did not participate in the issuance of this statement.