This year’s gala celebrated 25 years of litigation and advocacy for innocent and unjustly sentenced people–work that has resulted in the freedom of 78 people who served over 1745 years in prison. The evening honored Calvin Duncan as the recipient of the John Thompson Award for Courage & Justice, an award presented to individuals whose courage, leadership, and commitment have advanced the fight for freedom, accountability, and justice.
The theme of the gala was community: the community that IJLA clients and their families have with each other, with other currently and formerly incarcerated people, and with IJLA as an organization. The evening featured an original film telling the story of the organization through the relationship of clients with one another and with IJLA.
Executive Director Jee Park said, “For 25 years, IJLA has been on the forefront of fighting for freedom for people who should not be in prison. We are honored to be celebrating with our former clients and their families, and our allies, supporters and friends who believe in justice. We plan to continue building an equitable, unbiased and just criminal legal system where everyone is treated with dignity and humanity.”
The gala was held in partnership with venue partner Xavier University of Louisiana and featured premier local cuisine, an exclusive silent auction, live music, a film, a special presentation of clients, and other program moments, including the presentation of the John Thompson Award for Courage & Justice to Calvin Duncan, followed by remarks from Mr. Duncan.
