Photo courtesy of Time.
Summary: Attorneys are giving back on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In honor of Monday’s holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, attorneys around the country are offering free legal advice for those in need.
In Alaska, locals who need help with family, housing, public benefits and other issues can speak to a lawyer pro bono, according to KTOO Public Media. The event was sponsored by the Alaska Court System, Alaska Legal Services Corp., the Alaska Bar Association and local bar associations.
The Indiana Bar Association is also giving back. WANE reported that today, they are offering their annual “Talk to a Lawyer Today” program, which gives the underserved free legal consultations that last up to 10-15 minutes. The program began in 2002 and almost 200 attorneys are volunteering on MLK.
“We get all kinds of questions especially about family law — wills, estates,” attorney Stephanie Wicke said to NWI Times.
Legal Aids around the country will also be honoring civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. For instance, in Delaware County, Legal Aid has partnered with the Chester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, State Senator Anthony H. Williams, and State Representative Joanna McClinton. The Delaware County News Network stated that the groups were offering a free expungement clinic.
The programs listed above and others like it are welcomed by those who cannot afford costly legal services. The Boston Globe said that last year a Legal Aid clinic held during the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday had almost 650 participants on Saturday and 700 showed up the following day. Amy Petkovsek, a Legal Aid attorney, told the publication that the clinic was popular because so many people were pleased with their results.
Giving back on the holiday is in spirit with the message of what Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to–social justice. The Baptist minister fought for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s. He organized boycotts, peaceful sit-in protests, and marches; and in 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to combat systemic racism through nonviolent activism. The year before, he delivered his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” which called for an end to racism.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal,”” King said.
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