Legal Redress Committee

  • ◉ Investigates all cases of discrimination reported to it if the discrimination is based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, point of national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identification, age, or sexual preference.

    ◉ Advises client/complainants as to the merits of their complaint, and the appropriate agency or other entity, if any, to which to report the alleged discrimination.

    ◉ Assists the complainant in presenting their complaint to the appropriate agency or entity, or in obtaining legal representation to pursue the matter.

    ◉ Arranges, where appropriate, to provide moral support or to demonstrate community support for a complainant in their efforts to obtain redress.

    ◉ Determines if the individual complaint indicates a broader, more systematic pattern of discrimination that affects the community at large and, if so, addressing that issue on behalf of the community.

    ◉ Monitors all litigation in which the NAACP is interested per national guidelines. It shall not give legal advice or in any way control or direct the litigation unless the Unit is named as a party in the action.

    ◉ Seeking the assistance and support of National, in those cases of discrimination that are so egregious, systematic or widespread as to have an impact beyond regional jurisdiction.

    ◉ Supports the efforts of other NAACP Units in their efforts to investigate or rectify instances of discrimination.

    ◉ Submits an annual report to the Executive Board for forwarding to National documenting all cases investigated, and to report to National all cases in which discrimination is found to have occurred.

About the Legal Redress Committee

As a social justice organization, the NAACP combats bias based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, point of national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identification, age, or sexual preference.

The local legal redress committee exists to help people who feel they have experienced bias in the community, whether it be with law enforcement, the justice system, bias in the workplace or with housing, or with the education system, to name a few. While we cannot offer legal advice, we are often able to point people to appropriate resources in the community based on the situation, or to help them to understand options (such as filing a BOLI complaint, for example, or help in locating an attorney.) Sometimes our advocacy for individuals leads us to identify larger institutional issues which we work to bring to the attention of those who can make change happen. If you’d like to contact the legal redress committee, you can email the chair using the contact button above or leave a message at: 503-877-4045.

If you are interacting with Child Welfare, an Oregon non-profit can help. This from their website:  “Project Family First is dedicated to reducing the disproportionate representation of Black children in the Oregon foster care system by offering support, advocacy and culturally competent resources to families.

If you are currently navigating the challenges of a CPS assessment or your children are in foster care, our committed team at Project Family First is here to assist. We recognize the unique complexities that Black families encounter during such investigations and are dedicated to providing professional and confidence support and guidance. While our primary focus is on the Black community, we warmly welcome all families in need.” 

Resources

Comprehensive Resources

Mid-Valley Resources (Northwest Human Services) maintains a comprehensive online resource list and have graciously allowed us to link to it for your convenience. ​Click below to visit their resource list.

Resources for People With Convictions

The DeMuniz Center offers a variety of services for those with convictions and for recently incarcerated individuals. This includes help with expungement and other legal aid in addition to assistance in transitioning back into society.
www.demunizlegalclinic.org www.facebook.com/demunizresource



Information About Bias Crimes

Oregon law regarding bias crimes

In 2019, the Oregon legislature passed SB 577 that updated Oregon’s bias crime laws, defined the new legal term bias incidents, created victim-centered response hotline for reporting bias, requires law enforcement to refer all victims of bias incidents to support services, and streamline data collection about bias occurring in Oregon.  

Message from Salem Chief of Police Trevor Womack regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement (1/30/25)

Salem residents,

It is important that I acknowledge and be responsive to community concerns regarding immigration enforcement. I recognize the anxiety or confusion some may feel due to the increased enforcement by federal agencies. I hope to ease that tension by clearly restating our long-standing policy on immigration.

First and foremost, the Salem Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws and our officers will not ask anyone about their residency status. It is against Oregon law for local police to participate directly or indirectly in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.

This is also not the first time fears of Salem Police participation in immigration enforcement have risen in our community. Now, as always, we will stay true to our mission of protecting our entire community regardless of anyone's immigration status. This means that if you are a crime victim or witness, you can and should come forward without fear.

We have not received any recent requests for assistance from federal immigration officials, but if we do, we will deny, document, and properly report that request to the state.

If you feel that your rights regarding this law have been violated or if you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out. We will take your concerns seriously and investigate any potential violations of law. Reports can also be made online directly to the Oregon Department of Justice.

Let’s not let this or any other issue jeopardize the trusting relationships we’ve worked so hard to build together. Rather, let’s turn this into an opportunity to increase shared understanding and trust in support of a safer community for everyone.

— Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack

Civil Rights Unit (CRU) Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit

The CRU Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit is a free, online resource for those seeking to understand Oregon’s sanctuary laws and help ensure that our communities are safe for all. Everyone has the right to live, work, play, and learn safely in Oregon. This toolkit covers the essential information needed to understand, report, and combat violations of Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Laws.