Posted by Pete DeLaunay on Dec 05, 2024
Merf Ehman, Executive Director, Columbia Legal Services (CLS) described their work as advocacy for racial and economic justice, litigation, and legislative advocacy. CLS is funded by the Endowment for Equal Justice, the largest legal aid fund in the U.S., CLS gets no public funding to ensure its independence. “We are a community led social justice system/organization dedicated to ending racism,” he began.
 
CLS is dedicated to equal justice initiatives aimed to “confront, overcome violence and discrimination” as since the 13th amendment prohibited slavery, people of color have been oppressed by a system of racial laws. CLS takes on cases from field worker overtime to those unfairly imprisoned. “Immigration has a history of white supremacy such as the Chinese exclusion act in Seattle, continues today with threatened mass deportation as a form of racism,” they said.
 
Ehman stressed the importance of understanding every person’s “story” or how they found themselves in their current situation. Ehman described their “life” story or voice as one that included addiction, felonies, and mental arrests. “I knew a Rotarian who reached out, telling me I had such potential and that led me to Buffalo Law School and ultimately to CLS,” Ehman said as a representation of their “voice.”
 
Ehman cited a recent lawsuit win where the “voices” of agricultural workers enabled CLS to have ag. Workers included in the Fare Labor Standards Act. Challenging conditions and due process at the NW Detention Center. “No one benefits from those imprisoned as they are taken away without due process,” Ehman said. “Fear based vs. hope-based, and accountability and healing are community building.,” Ehman followed, “as individual voices are essential in CLS advocacy work.”
 
Ehman concluded by emphasizing CLS’ special commitment to working with people impacted by incarceration, immigration, and unfair labor practices. 
 
The day’s short program featured Kendrick Davis who provided an update on activities at Rotary Boys & Girls Club located at 19th & Spruce in Seattle. He said the club now has licensed therapists on site and serves seventy kids a day.   Rotarians were asked to donate in support of their holiday shopping list including a backpack refresh.  Visit the seattlerotary.org to donate.
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