Black History Month: From 1857 to 2025 – The Battle for Birthright Citizenship
Two moments in American history, separated by 168 years, show how Black Americans' struggle for citizenship rights has shaped our nation's most fundamental constitutional principles. In 1857, four years before the Civil War, the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision ruled that no person of African descent – whether free or enslaved – could be a […]
Black History Month: Celebrating Black Brilliance, Building Bridges to Justice
"The legal system can force open doors and sometimes even knock down walls. But it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me." — Thurgood Marshall (July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993), first Black Justice of the United States Supreme Court [NOTE: Scroll down for Black History Month events across Washington State] […]
Building Bridges to Justice with Washington Veterans
More than 80,000 veterans in Washington state live below 200% of the poverty line. They need and deserve access to no-cost legal representation and advice. Physical and mental health harms suffered during service must be recognized and treated. Housing secured. Full benefits paid. Too often, they are not. The results can be tragic. Northwest Justice […]
Meet Award-Winning NJP Attorney Coco Avery Holbrook
Coco won the 2024 Public Service & Leadership Award from the Washington Young Lawyers Committee of the Washington Bar Association. An interview revealed the passion, smarts, and personality Coco brings to her role as assistant managing attorney for Northwest Justice Project's Wenatchee field office. Why did you decide to work with NJP in rural Washington? […]
Alan: A Military Aviator’s Fight for Rights
I come from a long line of military pilots, so when I graduated from Indiana University in 1968 with the Vietnam War still going on, I decided to enter the Marine Corps. After earning my commission, I headed to Pensacola, Florida for basic flight training. I was fortunate enough to make it into the jet […]
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Powerful partnership helps Native Americans start anew
Interview with Andy Ward, Project Manager, Chief Seattle Club Re-entry Program A three-year partnership between the Chief Seattle Club (CSC) and Northwest Justice Project (NJP) has helped Native Americans rebuild their lives after incarceration. Based in Seattle and Renton, the CSC Re-entry Program has supported hundreds of people. It has connected them to their culture […]
A mother fights for justice in wake of racist attacks
A Black 8th grader in Vancouver was violently attacked at school by a student who had earlier harassed him with racial slurs. Although administrators had been warned the attack was coming they did nothing to protect him. Instead, the school suspended and then expelled him. After a years-long fight, NJP gathered the evidence to win a settlement that cleared his record and included money and staff training.
Advocacy Update: Student Discipline Rules Changed Statewide
Earlier this year, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) issued Emergency Rules regarding student discipline without affording input from family advocates, students or parents. The changes in discipline regulations included: Removing the requirement that schools consider alternative forms of discipline thatJayleen support students in meeting behavioral expectation BEFORE excluding them from classrooms An […]
From Right to Counsel in Eviction to Civil Justice for All
In less than three years, Washington state's landmark “Right to Counsel” (RTC) legislation guaranteeing legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction has demonstrated a powerful truth: when people with low income receive legal counsel, the balance of power in our civil justice system shifts. Northwest Justice Project (NJP), one of Washington's largest providers of RTC […]
Luci: Sexual assault survivor awarded veteran’s benefits
The Department of Defense released sobering statistics last year about sexual assault in the military. They found that only about 25 percent of service members who experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2023 reported the assault. Those who did report made up 6.8 percent of active-duty women and 1.3 percent of active-duty men. Of the 8,515 […]