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.
Ohio National Lawyers Guild 