Public Interest Law Center

Oral argument in our case taking on Pennsylvania's firearm preemption law is live now! We're in court representing families of gun violence victims, the City of Philadelphia, and CeaseFirePA, seeking to continue our case and fight for cities' ability to pass gun safety laws that save lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5-vaG9W9TI

As our leaders in the state legislature refuse to take action against gun violence, they are also standing in the way of cities with Firearm Preemption Laws that block local gun safety efforts. Tomorrow, we'll be in court with families of gun violence victims from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the City of Philadelphia, and CeaseFirePA, taking on an attempt to dismiss our case challenging these firearm preemption laws. "Letting Philadelphia pass gun safety laws is about recog...nizing the humanity of people in this city who face gun violence," our client Stanley Crawford, who lost his son in a shooting, said when we filed the case. "Because right now, the lack of action and the lack of urgency is absolutely inhumane." Graphic from PA Safety Alliance

New bills in Harrisburg would create a massive expansion in private school vouchers and would take hundreds of millions of dollars from public school students. Tell your legislator to oppose these bills using this tool from Education Voters PA

We can't afford to go backwards--we should hold on to reforms like eviction diversion that have helped keep people in their homes. "Preventing families from losing their homes is not only good for individuals it is good for the entire city. Evictions produce poverty and lead to racial injustice, disproportionately harming Black women with children."

City Council should extend the moratorium on lockouts and the protections of the Emergency Housing Protection Act. "On the day City Council unanimously passed the original moratorium, June 18, the city had reported about 70 new COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, when the committee delayed a vote on the renewal of the moratorium, the city reported 229. How did an eviction moratorium that got unanimous support when case numbers were lower fail to get out of committee now that coronavirus cases have tripled?"

Poor districts and districts serving a majority of students of color in Pennsylvania are still recovering from devastating cuts in the wake of our country's last recession. Our students cannot afford to repeat history. We must remain focused on building a future where the quality of public education isn't tied to local wealth. We're in court to build that future in Pennsylvania.

Some good news in Pennsylvania: unpaid fines and debt will no longer be a barrier to criminal history sealing under our state's Clean Slate law. Criminal history or an inability to pay fines should not be a lifelong barrier to employment, housing, and other basic needs.

The protections for Philadelphia renters in the Emergency Housing Protection Act--like mediation, rent repayment plans, and ending late fees--were essential when they were passed this summer, and they still are. City Council is holding a hearing today on extending the act.

The state firearm preemption laws that we’re challenging block local government from passing these laws that would save lives.

This is a win for voters in a time of unprecedented demand for mail-in ballots. We are pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court will not be inserting itself in this important state court decision that protects the right to vote in Pennsylvania. Every voter should have confidence that their vote will count.

TODAY is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania! Check your registration status here https://pavoterservices.pa.gov//voterregistrationstatus.as Register online here https://pavoterservices.pa.gov//VoterRegistrationApplicati... Reach out to 866-OUR-VOTE with questions

How should Philadelphia make sure City facilities and services are accessible to people with disabilities? The City just released its draft ADA transition plan and is seeking feedback. Read the plan and submit a comment here: https://www.phila.gov/2020-10-15-city-of-philadelphia-laun/

Recent court rulings have clarified many questions about voting in Pennsylvania, such as the use of drop boxes for mail-in ballots. Future legal action is of course possible, but no matter what, we will stand up for voters' ability to make their voice heard in an orderly and free election.

The Census deadline is TONIGHT! The Census guides billions in federal funds, voting districts, and more. By devoting just 10 minutes of your time to filling it out, you can help ensure our community receives the resources it needs. https://my2020census.gov/

A very useful guide to tenants' rights put together by the Inquirer! https://www.inquirer.com//landlord-tenant-rights-pennsylva

Just like the current rage and frustration over preventable COVID-19 infections and deaths, lives lost and altered due to gun violence should infuriate the city as a whole. https://www.inquirer.com//philadelphia-shootings-homicide-

Mimi McKenzie, the legal director at the Public Interest Law Center, said gun violence was a public health crisis and civil rights issue that disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic communities. The state firearm preemption laws that we’re challenging block local government from passing these laws that would save lives.