With the guilty verdict issued in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, on trial for the killing of George Floyd, we are feeling the weight of this moment collectively and individually. The past year has given rise to one of the largest and most diverse social movements against state-sanctioned violence toward Black people, one for which our community continues to advocate and champion.
We know that the work of the people and of organizers has helped us reach this moment of accountability. There is no accountability, nor is there justice, that can bring back a life – and we cannot stand for a state or policing that protects some peoples’ safety while endangering and causing death or trauma for others. We at CUNY Law will continue to demand real safety and accountability through abolition and investment—in jobs, health care, housing, education, and more.
CUNY Law is offering resources to the Law School community. Events such as these challenge us as a community and can take a toll on us as individuals. Please seek support if you need it and offer the same to fellow community members.
Resources for the Law School community
Family-Care, Community-Care and Self-Care Tool Kit: Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma: The Association of Black Psychologists produced this extensive guide of ways to promote healing in individuals, families, and communities.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The Minnesota chapter of NAMI has created a listing of resources for individuals feeling stressed during the Chauvin trial.
The Legal Rights Center’s toolkit for communities using restorative justice to process the former officers’ trials for the murder of George Floyd (updated 4/13/21, complete with eight circle guides). The Legal Rights Center is a community-driven nonprofit law firm supported by the State of Minnesota as a Sec. 611.216 Public Defender Corporation as well as local firms.
Resources for students
CUNY Crisis Text Line: Text CUNY to 741741 for 24/7 confidential, licensed, and professionally trained support counselors using SMS messaging now available to all students.
Talk to Someone: Connect with our licensed counselor by making an appointment with Linda Penkower, LCSW via email.
Resources for staff & faculty
CAA, CUNY’s Employee Assistance Plan Provider, provides telehealth options and resources by phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week at (800) 833-8707 or by logging in to the CUNY Employee Assistance Plan website presented by CCA www.myccaonline.com. The Company Code is “cuny.”
Resources for action & dialogue
Support the George Floyd in Policing Act Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is a co-sponsor of this national legislation that will eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement, ban chokeholds and mandate data collection on police encounters.
Sign the Yes 4 Minneapolis Petition This petition supports giving Minneapolis voters the power to decide whether to keep the Minneapolis Police Department as it currently exists or to create a new Department of Public Safety.
Say Every Name: Take Action Resources and information from Black leaders and community members, policy to influence, and more.