Yesterday was Gideon's Day or "National Public Defenders Day." The anniversary of unanimous Supreme Court decision promising free defense to all facing jail. Wanted to share (w/ permission), the email Brooklyn Defender Services (@BklynDefender) head shared to all staff. Moving. 
"Though we are not celebrating this day in our usual manner w/ social gatherings & other festivities, we should take time today to celebrate who we are & why we do the importaent work we do. First & foremost we should recognize ourselves as first responders for those in need."
"Each and every one of us at Brooklyn Defender Services should be proud of the work we do, particularly at this time when many of us are sacrificing our own personal needs and comfort to continue to fight for the rights of others."
"To those of you who are working arraignment shifts, fighting child removal, filing writs to get clients out of jail, defending immigrants, investigating cases, stopping evictions & helping children w/ their education, & to those of you speaking to media, I want to thank you."
"For those meeting w/ elected officials, providing social work, performing urgent admin tasks, making sure bills are paid, keeping offices clean & safe, making sure tech is working, getting paychecks out, keeping our infrastructure running, & so much more, I want to thank you."
"You are now working from home, navigating new & confusing systems & literally redefining how we do our work & for that you deserve an enormous round of applause."
"To parents & caregivers who are juggling work, caretaking, children's learning, and for some of you, illness of yourself or family members, your steadfastness and dedication are so admirable as to be courageous."
"On this 57th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, I want to acknowledge each & every one of you, who despite all of the changes & uncertainty have stepped up, been flexible and ready to help see our office and clients through this pandemic."
"As public defenders, & all of us who work at BDS are public defenders, we haven't stopped fighting & we won't. Though we must physically distance ourselves from each other, we will get through this bc of the great bond that connects us.
"The commitment that we have to our clients and the communities we serve is what will keep us together and I believe will make us stronger and more resilient when we come out on the other side."
"Take a moment to appreciate yourself, knowing that the fight for the civil rights and humanity of the people we serve involves overcoming obstacles and even hardship, as now. But also know that it is truly a privilege and honor to have the chance to do so."
Thank you Lisa Schreibersdorf (@lisaschreib), our fearless Executive Director, for your leadership during this time and your preparation (weeks in advance seemingly of any one else) to ensure our safety & also the health, wellbeing, and protection of those we represent. 👏👏👏.
