(CLARKSTON, GA – 9/17/16) The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) delivered a Know Your Rights training to both law students and leaders of Clarkston’s refugee community.
The presentation covered common issues related to both law enforcement and employers, particularly religious discrimination.
Hosted by Glitter of Hope and Georgia State College of Law Refugee and Immigration Legal Services Initiative, the event marked the kick-off for a student led legal clinic.
“Refugees and other immigrants must fully understand both their legal rights and their legal responsibilities as American citizens,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR-GA. “As an American Muslim civil rights organization, we’re happy to help Georgia State’s law students educate our neighbors about those rights.”
Approved by the deans and administration at GSU College of Law as an official pro bono project, focused on serving the refugee population in the Clarkston community of Atlanta in a two pronged approach.
One, by pairing law students with legal practitioners and holding regular office hours for client intake to refer cases to attorneys in the areas of criminal, family and immigration law. Participating attorneys will supervise students when working with and advising clients.
Second, by holding regular Know Your Rights workshops and other like programming tailored to the needs of the refugee and immigrant community in Clarkston, these workshops will inform the community as to their rights when dealing with law enforcement and in the workplace as well as help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the refugee population, God willing.