CUNY CLEAR

Grant Type: General Operating Support

Duration: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Organization Overview

Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) Project is housed at Main Street Legal Services, the clinical arm of the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law. CLEAR provides free legal support to Muslims and other clients, communities, and movements that are targeted by national security policies and practices. CLEAR is committed to a philosophy of movement lawyering that dictates holistic support driven by community and movement aims and priorities.

Summary

CLEAR provides free direct legal services to community members on issues connected to harmful national security policies and practices. Based in New York City, CLEAR has provided direct legal representation or counsel for clients who were approached for questioning by the FBI or other law enforcement, had travel difficulties due to unfair placement on watchlists, and experienced long delays in their applications for immigration benefits. CLEAR also conducts rights awareness workshops on what to do if approached for questioning by law enforcement, how to handle searches and questioning at airports and land borders, charitable giving, and informants.

In 2020, CLEAR Founder and Director Ramzi Kassem argued before the Supreme Court that a group of Muslim men should be able to hold the U.S. government accountable for religious discrimination. The Supreme Court decided in favor of CLEAR’s clients. This case is part of CLEAR’s efforts to ensure that religious liberty is upheld in this country and to challenge the government when it perpetuates discriminatory policing, surveillance, and profiling. In 2022 and 2023, CLEAR continued its support of organizing movements, including Movement for Black Lives and Palestinian Youth Movement. In 2023, CLEAR continued litigation efforts for two individuals imprisoned on terrorism-related charges as they sought resentencing under the First Step Act. Additionally, along with co-counsel, CLEAR continued litigation for individuals previously and/or currently on the No Fly List.

Year founded: 2009

Location: Long Island City, NY

Website: https://www.cunyclear.org/