From Delayed Justice To Sustained Resistance: 10 Years Of Justice on Juneteenth

As we mark ten years of Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT), we do so in deep reflection of Juneteenth as a reminder of the delayed promise of freedom and that none of us are free until all of us are free. Juneteenth is a very clear example that law does not guarantee liberation, and that the law alone has never been enough to secure justice for Black communities. BALT has existed to serve the needs of our community since the beginning through access to free barrier removing legal services and community education and legal advocacy. 

Today, we continue to see very clear examples of the law being a tool for the oppressor. Chattel slavery may not look as it did in the 19th century, but make no mistake, it is still here. It has and will continue to evolve. 

When you think of the role of law in achieving justice, a lot of people truly buy into the myth that through the law we can shift power, because that's what's needed. A lot of people feel like it's a legal solution. History has told us time and time again that’s not right, it’s a people-solution.

BALT was born in the wake of the 2015 murder of Freddie Gray in police custody. In that moment of uprising, Baltimore’s communities demanded not just answers, but transformation. We answered the call by forming BALT to provide legal support rooted in community, accountability, and liberation. It is not lost on us that this moment bears deep wounds that have yet to heal as the officers that killed Freddie Gray have still not been convicted of their crimes. We are once again reminded of delayed justice that echoes through every generation of black Americans.

For the past decade, BALT has practiced movement lawyering, a model that recognizes the law as a tool, but not the solution. Since 2022, we have used our legal knowledge to provide 92 clients with warrant recall services, clearing 153 warrants for our clients’ arrest. We stand with organizers, activists, and communities demanding systemic change, because we know the law often upholds the very injustices we seek to dismantle. True justice lives in the streets, in the hearts of those who resist, and in the daily struggle for equity and dignity. 

As we stand at this milestone of our 10th anniversary, it remains true that the structural inequities facing our communities demand not only our passion but also substantial resources to sustain our direct services. As an organization that was born from our community's needs, it is our goal to meet those needs in accordance with our values, but we cannot sustain for another 10 years without your help. 

Let us carry forward this Juneteenth in the spirit of resilience and solidarity that has defined our journey so far. For ten years, we have stood with our community, offering legal support rooted in justice and powered by the people. Now we are calling on you. Make a gift today to help us protect our neighbors, fight back against injustice, and build a future where every person is treated with dignity. Your support fuels this work. Join us and be part of the next chapter.