ISBA Joins Legal Organizations to Condemn Anti-Semitism and Racist Hate

ISBA joined Chicago-based lawyer organizations to condemn acts of racism, anti-Semitism, and discrimination yesterday, August 22, at a press conference held at the Chicago Loop Synagogue.

The press conference was held in response to recent violent events throughout the United States targeting racial and ethnic minorities. Recognizing that acts of hatred existed long before last week's protests in Charlottesville and present an ongoing challenge as the country moves forward, yesterday's press conference was an effort to unite the Illinois legal community and encouraged others to stand together against acts of violence and intimidation. 

Bar leaders took to the stage to speak about historical and present-day systematic racism, and the need to confront this problem together as a society. They spoke to the role lawyers and professional associations play in upholding the rule of law and ensuring all individuals receive the right to protection under the law, and called upon national, state, and local leaders to take decisive action against all such acts of hatred and racism.

President Hon. Russell Hartigan represented the ISBA at the event.

The press conference was hosted by the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, the Cook County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Black Women Lawyers Association. ISBA was a co-sponsor, along with several other bar groups.