UC Irvine Law Clinic to Host Symposium on Human Rights Litigation for the Homeless
IRVINE, Calif.—UC Irvine School of Law’s International Human Rights Clinic will host a symposium on March 30, 2013 on combating the criminalization of homelessness.
WHAT: In this symposium, "Opposing the Criminalization of Homelessness: Building a Human Rights Framework," advocates will discuss the criminalization of the homeless in Southern California, and how an international human rights framework can combat it.
WHY: The criminalization of homelessness is the use of the criminal justice system to punish the homeless for unavoidable behavior. In many cities, homeless people can get a ticket for sitting, sleeping, or placing personal items on the ground when they have no alternative.
WHO: Pete White, Co-founder of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, will deliver the keynote address on building a human rights framework to combat criminalization of the homeless. Moderators include Paul Hoffman and Carol Sobel. Other speakers include: Prof. Gary Blasi of UCLA School of Law; General Dogon, a formerly homeless advocate for the LA Community Action Network; Renato Izquieta, Legal Aid Society of Orange County; John Raphling, criminal defense attorney representing the homeless; Prof. Connie De La Vega of University of San Francisco School of Law; Melanie Partow, international human rights and civil rights litigator; Professor William Aceves of California Western School of Law; and Tanuka Loha of the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative.
WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with reception to follow.
WHERE: UC Irvine School of Law, 401 East Peltason Drive, Irvine, CA 92697, Room EDU 1111. Directions and parking information
REGISTRATION: The event is free and open to the public, but please register online at sites.uci.edu/humanrights. Five CLE credits are available for attorneys.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rex Bossert, assistant dean for communications and public affairs, rbossert@law.uci.edu, (949) 824-3063.
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