Justice For All: A Special Message From Executive Director Amy Horton

Today, we stand arm-in-arm with those who are pursuing justice following the heartbreaking losses of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and far too many other people of color who, generation after generation, have lost their lives to racism, marginalization, bigotry, and injustice. The tragic loss of their lives and the ongoing lack of liberty and equality for people of color are painful reminders that we must do more to achieve justice for all. We are all God’s children and black lives matter.

For 26 years, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic has walked alongside our vulnerable neighbors in fighting for legal justice for immigrants and asylum seekers, for those residing in sub-standard housing, for survivors of domestic violence, and for those who have lost hope. We have listened to their experiences, wept with them, prayed for them, and loved them. 

As a Christian organization, the Clinic is driven by the biblical commandment to love one another. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by Jewish rabbis which of the commandments is most important. Jesus says that it is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He goes on to say that to love our neighbors as ourselves is the second. The Clinic promotes justice through legal representation and legal education for our low-income neighbors as a way of demonstrating Christ's love—and as a way of honoring this commandment to love one another as ourselves.

We will continue to love and to serve our vulnerable neighbors with legal representation and education, and we will look for new ways to promote justice for our neighbors of color. We will continue our work as described in Proverbs 31:8-9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Together, and guided by biblical truth, we are committed to helping forge a better path forward. My prayer today is that our path toward justice is lit by love, compassion, and courage.