Amistad Law Project

05/06/2026

It’s exciting to mobilize around movement candidates when they’re making big promises, but we don’t have many examples of elected officials working closely with movements once they’re in office. Councilmember Kendra Brooks is doing it like no one else.

Amistad’s Co-Executive Director, Nikki Grant, recently sat down with Councilmember Kendra Brooks and Pennsylvania Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance Nicole Kligerman for Convergence Magazine's Block and Build podcast to talk about their experience with co-governance over the last six years. They discuss the material victories (and also the challenges they’ve faced) working closely together to build real political power that delivers for working people in Philadelphia.

The episode is packed with wisdom and concrete examples of what Co-Governance looks like in practice. Listen wherever you like to podcast or online here: https://convergencemag.com/podcast/co-governance-in-philly-w-kendra-brooks-nicole-kligerman-and-nikki-grant/

04/20/2026

In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Vivian Chang of Asian Americans United and Nikki Grant of Amistad, both members of the Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, call on Mayor Parker to stand up and fight for Philadelphians with the financial investments our communities need to survive.

“We are in a moment of deep crisis, both across the country and here in Philadelphia, and the city desperately needs a municipal budget that reflects that reality.

Yet, the mayor presented another status quo, insufficient budget plan. Since she took office, Mayor Parker’s priorities have mirrored what’s happening at the federal level: tax giveaways for the rich and pushing through unpopular legislation, while rolling out the red carpet for big business and people who profit from caging and disappearing our neighbors, whether in ICE detention or Kensington sweeps.

Parker’s budget proposal does not meet the moment. It fails to address the looming Medicaid cuts that will hurt working-class Black and brown Philadelphians the most. The budget does not include robust funding for immigrant resources, leaving families behind when they need a lawyer to rescue their loved ones from ICE.

The budget continues to have a bloated police budget while cutting funding for reproductive healthcare and keeping our public services like libraries, recreation centers, and mental health services severely underfunded.

Philadelphians who are impacted by federal threats and divestment have stepped up to protect our communities. We need Mayor Parker to do the same.”

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/budget-parker-healthcare-ice-disinvestment-housing-equality-20260420.html

04/20/2026

Abolitionists in Pennsylvania are celebrating a major victory after the state supreme court ruled against mandatory life without parole sentences for felony murders. Kris Henderson of Amistad Law Project Amistad Law Project explains the organizing behind the ruling and what needs to happen next.

Subscribe for as little as $4 a month to watch the full interview at risingupwithsonali.com.

04/20/2026

What should public safety funding actually look like in Germantown?

At a March 31 community conversation at the Nile Cafe, organizers and neighbors connected budget season to Medicaid, mental health care, utility burdens, and the broader question of what Philadelphia chooses to prioritize.

Hosted by Amistad Law Project, Abolitionist Law Center, Philly Tech Justice, Treatment Not Trauma, and the Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, the event also made space for attendees to share their own spending priorities for the city.

Germantown neighbors opened budget season with a facilitated conversation on safety, Medicaid, and mental health.

04/06/2026

After decades of organizing by incarcerated people and their communities, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unanimously ruled that mandatory Death By Incarceration for felony murder is unconstitutional. Now almost 1,100 people are serving unconstitutional sentences in PA state prisons.

This victory has the potential to undo the most DBI sentences since 2012, when the U.S. Supreme Court (in Miller v. Alabama) struck down mandatory life without parole for children, giving the chance for parole to 2,500 people nationwide.

Join Amistad and the Abolitionist Law Center for a Power meeting this Wednesday, April 8 to unpack the implications of this ruling and discuss next steps in the fight to end Death By Incarceration.

We will gather at 6:00 PM at West Philadelphia Mennonite Church at 123 S. 51st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139. Food will be provided! Register here to join us: https://amistadlaw.org/news/join-us-power-meeting-derek-lee-ruling

02/11/2026

We need times of levity and connection to fuel our movements for liberation. Come out to Amistad's Movement Game night to connect with good people over food and games!

On March 7th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, we'll be on the 4th floor of 924 Cherry Street in Chinatown. Register here to join: https://actionnetwork.org/events/movement-game-night/

01/28/2026

The people came out today to demand policies that protect Philly’s beloved immigrant communities. We started at City Hall to rally in support of and comprehensive ICE OUT legislation that would end city collaboration with ICE and strengthen protections for immigrants.

Then we marched to 's office to demand he vote NO on a bill that would give MORE MONEY to DHS, including $770 million more for ICE. It is shameful for an elected official to witness masked agents unleashing terror in our communities and then decide the right response is to give them more money.

The ICE OUT legislation will be introduced on Thursday at City Hall. Come out at 8:30 AM to show your support for Philly’s immigrant communities and leaders who use their power to protect us.

12/18/2025

We are closing out the year with a BIG win in the fight to end Death By Incarceration. HB 150, a bill that would offer a pathway to release for incarcerated people with serious health issues, passed out of the PA House yesterday in a 111-92 vote. We were thrilled that 12 Republicans joined the vast majority of House Democrats in voting for compassion.

Thank you for sponsoring this bill. And thank you to , , , , and so many of you who helped make this happen with your calls, letters, legislative visits, and more.

The bill heads to the Senate next. Join us in 2026 to help turn this bill into law!

12/16/2025

Tomorrow, the PA State House will vote on HB 150, which would provide potential release for incarcerated people with serious health conditions.

FAMM has created an easy form to help you demand your State Rep to vote YES on this vital legislation. Please take a minute to fill it out today!

12/11/2025

Joanne Schilk has talked with her brother every day for the 41 years he's been serving Death By Incarceration. She recently spoke at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and Mural Arts Philadelphia show, where Tom Schilk's work was on display alongside dozens of other artists locked up in PA state prisons.

This Tuesday, December 16, the PA House of Representatives will vote on HB 150, a bill that would allow incarcerated people who are very sick to petition the courts for medical release. Countless people like Tom would get a chance to reunite with their families if this bill is passed. Please take a moment today to call your reps and ask them to vote YES to HB 150 so people with serious health issues can get the care they need with their families out here.