Reblaw2013

House Republicans' have introduced a new bill, the "No Taypayer Funding for Abortion Act" which would limit the exception to the federal abortion funding restrictions for rape to "forcible rape" only.  Nick Baumann of Mother Jones explains "Other types of rapes that would no longer be covered by the exemption include rapes in which the woman was drugged or given excessive amounts of alcohol, rapes of women with limited mental capacity, and many date rapes."  Is rape less so if done by drugging or otherwise?  The bill reintroduces the "force" element of rape that reformers have fought against for decades. 

Check out RebLaw's issue lunch on Sexual Violence & the Law on February 19th and discuss how such definitions impact the broader questions surrounding sexual violence.

Panel: The Rise of American Imprisonment

February 19th, 9.30am

Over 2.3 million Americans are currently incarcerated and millions more are on probation or parole.  While some incarceration is appropriate, America's current system is indefensible. In addition to the obvious toll unnecessary incarceration takes on those imprisoned, its impact on impoverished communities and racial minorities is unparalleled. For the most part,
there is no corresponding benefit in public safety.  This panel aims to explore issues surrounding unnecessary incarceration and prison advocacy.  Panelists include an academic expert on the history and rise of America's unique system of justice, one of the country's most experience prison advocates, and an expert advocate on sentencing policy.  The ultimate goal of the panel is, as with all panels at RebLaw, to sustain outrage and stimulate advocacy.

Panel: The Future of the Labor Movement: What is the Lawyer’s Role?

Saturday, February 19^th, 2011, 9.30am

We’ve all seen the bumper stickers.

Unions gave us the weekend, the 8-hour day, the middle class, etc. etc. But in 2011, with median wages stagnant and unemployment at record highs, it’s easy to think of the labor movement as something from the past. In the words of The Wire’s Frank Sobotka:

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But the panelists at the Saturday morning panel are proving Frank wrong. With innovative legal and organizing strategies, they are building worker power to address the pressing economic issues of the 21^st century. Join us as we discuss past campaigns they’ve worked on, and new opportunities for workplace justice.