SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG
Read and share the extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change
Whistleblower Law, Impact Litigation, and the Potential for Social Justice
Whistleblower law remains fairly limited in who it can help—protecting federal employees and employees of federal contractors or grantees. For most cases to qualify as whistleblower cases, the case must include some aspect of fraud and public funding. Therefore, if there happened to be wrongdoing by a company that was privately owned and received no public money or tax incentives, then it would be unlikely that the case could be brought under any of the whistleblower programs.
Rather Than Sitting Silently, These Heroes Raised Their Voices To Fight For Better Health Care In West Virginia Jails
John, Earl, Joshua, Heather, and Donna all experienced significant barriers when trying to access the medical or mental health treatment they required while incarcerated in West Virginia’s regional jails. Rather than sitting silently and enduring this poor medical care, they raised their voices to fight for better care for themselves and everyone in the jails. Their words, like their commitment in this case, reflect the passion they have brought to this work from day one.
Google Employees Champion Equal Pay, Challenge Gender-Based Discrimination On Behalf Of 17,000 Class Members
Kelly, Heidi, Holly, and Kelli championed the claims of approximately 17,000 class members alleging that Google was paying women less than men performing substantially similar work and assigning women to lower salary levels than men with similar qualifications and experience. All four named plaintiffs took the risk that they would be blackballed in the tech field by putting their names on the publicly filed docket.
Three Brave Content Moderators Take On Facebook On Behalf Of Thousands In Historic Class Action
Selena, Gabriel, and Erin represented a class of over 14,000 content moderators who were denied protection against severe psychological and other injuries resulting from viewing objectionable postings while working on behalf of Facebook through third-party agencies. The role and plight of content moderators is endemic across the social media landscape. All of us need to monitor and support them.
A Beginner’s Guide to Forced Arbitration: A Barrier to Social and Economic Justice
Concealed in the fine print of many standard-form contracts, arbitration clauses force workers and consumers to give up their right to sue a company in court. Most forced arbitration agreements also contain class action waivers, which ban people from bringing and joining class action lawsuits against companies. People who are subject to forced arbitration agreements are instead required to resolve disputes with companies through private, individual arbitration. Meaningfully addressing and remedying social and economic injustice requires an end to forced arbitration.
Love in Activism
The May 24 mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas elementary school has shaken up the country, sparking intense debates where both sides of the political spectrum rose up in anger and fear. Whether it is anxiety about sending one’s kids to school or the panic of many who believe their second amendment rights will be taken away, there is a common thread of fear that underlies the country and political landscape.
Impact Fund Grant Program: COVID-19 Response
To best help grantees and applicants adapt to the evolving legal landscape with COVID-19 related cases, we will; increase availability of rapid response grants, fast track urgent requests and streamline requests for expense type adjustments.