Rattlers for Justice say “We Have to Speak Up”

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Rattlers for Justice say “We Have to Speak Up”

ORLANDO, Fla – Five simple but powerful words sum it all up accurately for Student Bar Association (SBA) President Julien Maynard and some of his classmates at Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law. The words are “We Have to Speak Up”.

Maynard was unsure of what to expect during his first term as Student Bar Association President. Afterall, he took office during the COVID-19 pandemic and thousands of people were dying nationwide. While the pandemic was making news across the country, there was another powerful news story sharing the headlines over the summer.

The social justice movement was in full swing sparked by multiple deaths of unarmed Black people by law enforcement and others. The Black Lives Matter movement was growing with a strong showing of support from non-Black protesters nationwide.

Here in Orlando, FAMU Law students felt passionate about this cause and participated in the local marches, some students created cell phone video messages for the college’s social media channels or used ZOOM for virtual discussions about what they saw and felt.

But this Fall, the student body did more. The SBA hosted a virtual discussion in October called The State of America: What’s Happening in our Communities. Students wanted to hear directly from candidates and lawmakers. This event included a powerful list of panelists including:

• Alexis Carter, Esq., Moderator, FAMU Law alumni
• Regina Hill, Orlando District 5 Commissioner
• Travaris McCurdy, member-elect, Florida House of Representatives, District 46
• Jose Torroella, candidate for Orange County State Attorney
• Monique Worrell, candidate for Orange County State Attorney

FAMU Law students are called Rattlers for Justice. They have a purpose. A Rattler for Justice is someone who strives to shake up the status quo to encourage positive growth; someone who seeks to rattle a few cages to ensure justice is served; or someone who serves as a catalyst for change while assisting others in need.

“It is very crucial that law students not only speak up, but Vote! Our rights and our livelihood are at stake,” said Maynard. “To echo the sentiments of speaker Representative-Elect, Travaris McCurdy, protesting is necessary and has an immediate impact on the community. However, voting for elected leaders and on policy initiatives has the ability to affect generations. We have to fight for who and what we believe in. Exercising our fundamental right to vote allows us to do just that!”

When you ask Rattlers for Justice why they care about social justice, the answer can be summed up in a few words- “We have to speak up”.

For more information about FAMU Law, please visit law.famu.edu.

 

Media Contact: stephanie.strong@famu.edu

About FAMU College of Law

The FAMU College of Law is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, just steps from the George C. Young United States Courthouse and Federal Building; and blocks from governmental offices, major law firms, large corporations and legal service agencies.

The college’s prime location provides students with direct access to the area’s largest employers of individuals with law degrees, offering our students and graduates ample avenues to gain practical experience in the legal profession.

With tuition among the lowest of the law schools in Florida, along with a full-time day program and a part-time evening program, the college is distinctly positioned to offer the traditional student and the working professional a chance to earn a law degree while accruing minimal debt.

Thanks to its renowned faculty, the college focuses on academic excellence in the classroom; emphasizes practical experience and public service within its clinical programs; and stresses professionalism through its co-curricular activities.