A Message From GSBA President
Geraldine Reed Brown

November 9, 2007

As reported in the New Jersey Law Journal on Monday, November 5, 2007, Rashida Hasan, a GSBA member, was "held in contempt after raising a racial-profiling defense in her client's case". Again, as reported in that same edition of the New Jersey Law Journal, attorney Hasan states:

"I was hauled off to the basement of the building in handcuffs and placed on a bench in the basement in handcuffs. I was fingerprinted and photographed. I was humiliated, disrespected and very emotionally upset by this whole incident. Imagine the fear and horror this incident must have on litigants before the court if their counsel is treated this way."

As President of The Garden State Bar Association, I condemn any lawyer being treated in such a manner. And I take special exception to such treatment of a lawyer who is a woman, and a lawyer who is African-American. Such treatment is as outrageous as it is inexplicable, inexcusable, unreasonable, unnecessary and unacceptable. I call on all lawyers to join The Garden State Bar Association in condemning such treatment of counsel.

An official press release, which includes the Statement of the Garden State Bar Association, was drafted with advice and counsel from eight (8) former GSBA Presidents, approved by the Board, released to the press, and is being posted on the GSBA web site.

Geraldine Reed Brown, Esq.
President
Garden State Bar Association