The ACLU of Louisiana, with the help of private for-profit law firms and law school legal clinics, plans to “unleash a wave” of litigation across the state to combat racially discriminatory policing.
“We are trying to respond to a gap in police accountability,” said Nora Ahmed, legal director at the organization. “But we are doing it as a compliment to all of the attempted legislative reforms, and policy reforms, and discussions and actions regarding dismantling and reimagining the police force.”
The program, which was announced earlier this month, is seeking to enlist 100 law firms to handle initial litigation efforts as many as 1,000 cases and 25 law school legal clinics to handle potential appeals. So far, 18 law firms have signed on to the effort.