Vision

At CLDC, we envision a world where all living things flourish, civil liberties and justice prevail, communities thrive, abolition prevails, and capitalism, police, and jails are obsolete. We are steadfast in our commitment as movement lawyers and legal workers to champion civil rights for environmental and social justice movements and protect the fundamental right to organize and dissent. Through unwavering advocacy, education, and support for grassroots movements, we aspire to empower individuals and communities to build a future rooted in love and mutual aid without State repression and interference.

Goals

1. 1.Our mission at CLDC has never felt more urgent. While we provide essential legal services and support for movements challenging the entrenched political and economic systems driving environmental destruction, corporate overreach, and governmental repression, we must immediately expand our work to meet the growing demand for legal defense and Know Your Rights & Risks (KYRR) trainings.
2. 2.Legal education, defense in the courts, civil suits against government misconduct, and other anti-repression work are increasingly necessary. Communities rely on us to continuously provide expert resources. We must fill the gap in the movement by addressing the critical need for free legal representation in the courts, as well as educational trainings and resources on the frontlines.
3. 3.More people than ever are becoming engaged in social and environmental justice. Public defenders’ offices are maxed out and most private lawyers charge more than activists can afford. Criminal charges are also getting more serious and punishments more severe, which requires experience and capacity to zealously litigate.