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Wednesday, February 19th, the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) in partnership with the STU Law Alumni Office hosted a Black History Month presentation, featuring renowned Civil Rights attorney, Benjamin Crump. Mr. Crump is known for taking on some of the most public civil rights cases of our day. Representing the families of Trayvon Martin, Alesia Thomas, Michael Brown, and Tamir Rice. Mr. Crump discussed the main themes in his book, Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People.
The book highlights the ways segregation, racism, Jim Crow laws, and the privatization of the prison system has to lead to black and brown bodies to being commodified, dehumanized, and disposable in America. Mr. Crump spoke passionately about serving communities of color and those in need of justice. He called for future attorneys, public defenders, and those in the field of law to recognize and question those systems of oppression at every turn. BLSA honored Mr. Crump with the BLSA’s Annual Black History
Month Presentation Award for inspiring the next generation of change-makers.
Mr. Crump’s presentation was followed by a lovely reception and book signing in the Cordero Breezeway. That evening, a new tradition was also born, Honoring a BLSA STU Alumni for their work in the community. The inaugural honor when to alumna, Hon. Julie Harris Nelson for her steadfast determination to make any community she’s part of a better place.
Hon. Harris Nelson is a partner at ROIG Lawyers. She is a litigator who started her practice as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from St. Thomas University College of Law.
Congratulations on an engaging event, BLSA & STU Law Alumni Office!
