BALT is working with nearly two dozen local and national groups across the country to come together for the first ever National Mamas Bail Out Day. This historic event will bail out Black mothers so they can be reunited with their families and communities for Mother’s Day. We will free birth mothers, trans mothers, and other women who support families and communities from the criminal legal system. Together we are working to dismantle the inhumane cash bail system. We need your support to reunite as many mothers as possible with their loved ones.
BALT Joins Inaugural Class of Institute for Equitable Leadership
BALTIMORE, MD. | April 21, 2017 - Kaiser Permanente and CommonHealth ACTION have announced that the Kaiser Permanente's Institute for Equitable Leadership - which will develop leadership skills to help community and business leaders increase their positive impact in Baltimore City - will launch in early May. The Baltimore Action Legal Team, Chase Brexton Health Care, Dovecote Café, Intersection of Change, and New Lens will comprise the first class of the Institute.
The Institute for Equitable Leadership brings together nonprofit and for-profit entities to improve the health of Baltimore residents and encourage local leaders to develop leadership skills that are grounded in equity, diversity and inclusion. Joined by community partners Maryland Nonprofits and Equity Matters, Inc., Kaiser Permanente and CommonHealth ACTION are launching the Institute to increase nonprofit capacity to address determinants of health to promote equitable experiences and life outcomes in Baltimore City.
BALT's Testimony on the DOJ and BPD Consent Decree
My name is Jenny Egan, and I am a founding member of the Baltimore Action Legal Team or BALT. BALT was formed in the wake of the killing of Freddie Gray and the subsequent Baltimore Uprising. BALT believes that centuries of state sponsored violence against Black people and specific police actions led to the events of April 2015. Unfortunately, much of that state sponsored violence is codified in our legal system. This reality requires federal, state, and local government action to effectively remedy past harms and prevent a continued pattern of state violence.
I’d first like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that this month marks the two-year anniversary of the killing of Freddie Gray. Whatever else is said today, we should remember that a 25-year-old young man had to die at the hands of BPD for us to get to this table. And not just Freddie. Tyrone West. Kimani Johnson. Tyree Woodson. An endless list of men, women, and children who have been subjected to violence and death at the hands of the Baltimore Police Department. BALT seeks a fair and equitable agreement on their behalf.
BALT IS HIRING! Seeking applications for part-time Program Manager
Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) is accepting applications for a part-time Program Manager. BALT provides legal support to Baltimore communities as they exercise their civil liberties protesting against injustices rooted in structural racism and economic inequality. BALT exercises a community lawyering approach because we believe that communities' organizing efforts should drive legal advocacy. We support and advance mass defense employing a human rights and racial equity framework. The position provides technical and administrative support for BALT’s four key services 1) legal observation during community protests 2) jail support for arrestees 3) administering bail funds and 4) orchestrating ongoing community legal eduction.
BALT is seeking someone with a commitment to the local movement for Black lives, office experience, a working knowledge of the Baltimore criminal justice system, a connection to Baltimore, proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, budgets and accounting, social media, and experience maintaining a website. The position will be virtual and require 15-20 hours per week at $20/hour.
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to info@baltimoreactionlegal.org by March 10, 2017.
COMMUNITY, LAWYERS COME TOGETHER TO END SENTENCING DISPARITIES AND CREATE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY JOBS IN BALTIMORE
On October 1, 2016, Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) will host the first ever Lightning BALT at Coppin State University. In collaboration with Out For Justice, Black Worker Center and Coppin State University’s Urban Studies Program, the daylong workshop provides a space for Baltimore residents, community activists, and legal workers to come together to develop a collective action plan focused on how to improve access to quality jobs and uproot sentencing disparities in Baltimore. The event is free and open to the public.