“…lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers…in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.”     – Preamble to NLG Constitution

         

Ohio-NLG Arrest Support Hotline 614-654-6477

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The National Lawyers Guild is dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers, legal observers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.

Our aim is to bring together all those who recognize the importance of safeguarding and extending the rights of workers, women, farmers, people with disabilities and people of color, upon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; who seek actively to eliminate racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; and who look upon the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression.

To learn more about the NLG, please visit nlg.org!

To join the NLG, please visit nlg.org. Your dues will support Ohio programs.

Ohio-NLG

Mission

Our mission is to cultivate a progressive legal community committed to anti-capitalist, anti-fascist, and anti-racist ideals and principles, and to support grassroot movements challenging oppressive systems. To these ends, we work to reduce harms created by the legal system and build collaborative networks to advance collective liberation.

Vision

Our vision is a world where social movements are empowered with strong legal support, where communities are free from violent systems of harm, and where basic human rights—including, the rights to bodily safety and autonomy; freedom of movement; fair and dignified working conditions; access to healthy foods, inclusive housing, and healthcare; the ability to have families; and access to clean air, water, soil—are universally recognized and upheld.

Values

We strive to ensure our internal practices align with our values as an organization committed to anti-capitalist, anti-fascist, and anti-racist principles. Below are Core Values of the Ohio NLG and how we define them:

• Abolition: We strive for a world free from the systemic warehousing, extermination, and exploitation of individuals. Our advocacy is rooted in the belief that true safety cannot be achieved through jails, psychiatric wards, or other punitive infrastructures. We dedicate ourselves to defending movements that work toward dismantling these systems and creating new, transformative infrastructures that support all people.

• Collective Care: We recognize that care is multifaceted, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and psychological dimensions. Our approach to collective care is trauma-informed and meets people where they are. We prioritize accessibility and disability justice, and we are dedicated to creating safe spaces for individuals in crisis. Our relationships are built on real friendships, healthy boundaries, and consistent commitments.

• Intersectionality: Our understanding of justice is deeply informed by intersectionality. We acknowledge that identities and struggles are interconnected and that no struggle exists in isolation. We avoid flattening or over-generalizing experiences, recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of harm and resistance. By embracing this complexity, we work to ensure that our efforts are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of those we support.

• Solidarity: Our solidarity is demonstrated through our active presence and genuine care for those within our community. We believe in building and maintaining trust in our relationships, utilizing our privilege responsibly, and showing up for movements with unwavering commitment. Consistency and accountability are central to how we operate, ensuring that our solidarity is not just theoretical but practical and dependable.
• Education and Reflection: We are committed to educating ourselves and others about the realities of current systems and their impacts. This includes ongoing learning about our own limitations and capabilities, and reflecting on our role within the broader movement. Our approach is grounded in humility and a commitment to active listening, centering marginalized voices, and fostering a learning environment characterized by gentleness and curiosity rather than shame or contrarianism.