Recent News & Events


Posted on: Apr 25, 2024
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Every day, the State of Louisiana subjects hundreds of primarily Black men to forced labor at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). Overseen by armed guards on horseback, these incarcerated individuals must walk into the fields, carrying hoes and shovels, to dig ditches and harvest soybeans. Some are paid two cents an hour for their labor. Many are paid nothing at all. They work in extreme heat and humidity, without basic safety gear or modern agricultural equipment—even though the State has that equipment—under threat of serious harm if their work is unsatisfactory. The combination of these intolerable and inherently dangerous conditions subject individuals to the substantial risk of serious psychological and physical harm, including life-threatening heat-stress illness. These conditions are unconstitutional. This presentation plans to address these unconstitutional practices and includes the voices of those who are impacted. 

In this presentation, a 30 minute documentary will be played followed by a panel discussion. The panel will include two members of the legal team and a formerly incarcerated person who experienced forced labor.

Speakers: Lydia Wright, Associate Director of Civil Litigation, The Promise of Justice Initiative
Claude-Michael Comeau, Staff Attorney, The Promise of Justice Initiative
Samantha Bosalavage, Staff Attorney, The Promise of Justice Initiative
Deidre Thomas, Paralegal, The Promise of Justice Initiative

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: NOBA Boardroom
650 Poydras Street, Suite 1505
New Orleans, LA 70130

CLE: 1 Hour of CLE

Cost:
NOBA member discount (in-person/includes refreshments): $36.05
Non-member price (in-person/includes refreshments): $56.65

Registration:

  1. Click here to register online
  2. Email Briana Nelms
  3. Call NOBA at (504) 525-7453

Please note our cancellation policy:
Payment is expected before the start of programs in order to attend. Cancellations must be received in writing two days in advance in order to receive a refund. No shows are not eligible for refunds and will be charged for the program, plus an administrative billing fee.