Race, Slavery and Mass Incarceration

Wednesday, January 24 | New York Hilton Midtown | NYC

1.0 Total Credits in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias (Non-Transitional)

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom West

We all know that the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolished slavery, but few of us have really concentrated on the language employed.  Section 1 reads:  "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment for a crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." The exception for punishment for a crime began a second institution of slavery, and is acknowledged as a basis for the mass incarceration of people of color within our country.  The award winning film, "13th" by Ava DuVernay, will be shown in its entirety.  The film will be followed by a panel discussion, moderated by ABA President Hilarie Bass, exploring the issues of mass incarceration, implicit bias, wrongful conviction, fines and fees, and systemic litigation to counteract all of the factors which have resulted in the incarceration of so many men and women of color.    

The showing of the movie is free to all.  

2:00 – 2:05 p.m.  Welcome
                            Sharon Stern Gerstman, Esq.
                            President, New York State Bar Association

2:05 – 3:45 p.m.   Showing of the movie 13th

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.   Break

4:00 – 4:10 p.m.   Speaker Introductions

4:10 – 5:00 p.m.   Panel Discussion

Moderator:  Hilarie Bass, Esq.
                   President, American Bar Association
                   Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
                   Miami, Florida

Panelists:   Honorable Darcel D. Clark
                  Bronx County District Attorney
                  Bronx

                  Chantá Parker, Esq.
                  Special Counsel For New Initiatives
                  The Innocence Project
                  New York City

                  Jeffery P. Robinson, Esq.
                  Deputy Legal Director and
                  Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality
                  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
                  New York City