Please see www.lynnestewart.org for the most up-to-date information.

The National Executive Committee of the NLG calls on all Guild chapters to organize and to take part in local actions as part of a "National Day of Outrage" in response to yesterday's Lynne Stewart verdict, which we see as an attack not only on our cherished colleague and fellow NLG member but also on all members of the legal community who represent unpopular clients and causes. We are calling for this coordinated day of action to be held next Thursday, February 17 in your cities, towns, and, if you are a law student, at your school.

We will use this national Day of Outrage to both express our condemnation of the Lynne Stewart verdict and to draw attention to the government’s ongoing attacks on legal professionals who represent unpopular clients and causes. We urge chapters to use these actions as a call for more sustained, long-term action.

At a very minimum, chapter members should organize a press conference/rally at the local federal courthouse or federal building. One suggestion is to invite other legal or defense organizations to join the Guild in condemning the conviction of Lynne Stewart and the government’s efforts to intimidate individuals who are willing to defend persons accused in the “war on terror.” Additionally, we are hoping that this effort will lead to the development of a national coalition of civil rights and defense organizations. Members have suggested that we use the day of outrage to call for the formation of a “Coalition to Defend the Right to Counsel.” This will give the press more of a concrete reason to “bite” and will allow us to use this event to highlight the ongoing attacks on the ability to represent individuals targeted for government prosecution.

Further ideas for law students:

• Day of Silence: Announce that NLG members will not speak in class on February 17th. You can email your professors and tell them that, to the contrary of being disrespectful, this is being done out of respect for the legal profession. Announce: “one of our own has been silenced” and build off the idea that they are trying to silence zealous advocates. You could even wear tape over your mouth that says something like “another advocate silenced.”
• Have a table with information about Lynne Stewart (see www.lynnestewart.org), have people sign the “Pledge of Resolve,” and collect money for her defense team (see www.lynnestewart.org for information on donating)
• Hang a banner at the law school announcing your outrage
• Media work: hold a press conference with lawyers in your community, write an op-ed, write an article in your law school’s paper
• Organize a roundtable discussion with professors (ie: ask Professional Responsibility professors to discuss ethical issues involved, or focus on the issue of attorney-client privilege)