JACKSON – A Jackson student will be joining the ranks of thousands of students nationwide to advocate for civil liberties and civil rights alongside experts as part of the Summer Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C.
Jackson Memorial High School student Jade Bramwell will take part in the program, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union, where rising junior and senior students will receive the tools they need to engage in their communities on important issues.
From July 20 to July 26, participating students will get first-hand experience from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts to build expertise and knowledge in advocacy – including issues such as criminal justice reform, voting rights, and religious freedom, participate in debates, and develop successful media and social networking strategies, all while observing policy development on Capitol Hill.
On July 25, students will lobby alongside elected officials and/or congressional staff on Capitol Hill to bring attention to the cruel and inhumane conditions immigrant families at the border as well as the threat posed by law enforcement officers overreaching by using facial recognition technology.
The program will conclude with a large rally at the Capitol.
Students will get unique insight into the world of advocacy from this year’s Summer Institute speakers:
- Anthony Romero, ACLU Chief Executive Officer
- David Cole, ACLU National Legal Director
- Ronald Newman, ACLU National Political Director
- Cecillia Wang, ACLU Deputy Legal Director and Director of Center for Democracy
- Louise Melling, ACLU Deputy Legal Director and Director of Center for Liberty
- Edward Snowden, former CIA employee and well-known illegal government activity whistleblower
