On September 22nd, San Francisco’s Public Defender, Mano Raju, spoke at Glide Memorial Church’s Sunday Celebrations for Justice Sunday.

The celebration also honored co-founder Rev. Cecil Williams’ first birthday since his passing in April.  “In many ways the mission, vision, and values of GLIDE are similar to the values of the Public Defender’s office,” said Mano Raju. “One of our core values is love, and our vision is one where all of humanity (not some of humanity!) but ALL of humanity, is cherished.” 

Dr. Gina Fromer, GLIDE’s President and CEO, energized a packed house by singing “welcome GLIDE” and speaking about how having the freedom to be who you want to be is true justice, and how pursuing freedom honors Rev. Cecil William’s memory. When Dr. Fromer introduced Mano Raju, she highlighted GLIDE’s Cecil Williams Ambassadors and new recovery programs. Through these programs, GLIDE “helps others learn what it means to be free: freedom to not be judged and freedom to choose” Dr. Gina said.  

         From L to R: Kimberly Williams (Rev. Cecil Williams’ daughter), GLIDE President & 
                                  CEO Dr. Gina Fromer, and SF Public Defender Mano Raju 

Both Dr. Fromer and Mano Raju centered racial justice in their remarks. GLIDE provides services, advocacy and healing for all who are affected by racial bias.  For anyone interested to learn more, there are two congregational life groups to join, the White Antiracism Group and the Racial Justice Group.  Find out more here.

GLIDE’s Center for Social Justice (CSJ), and other members of the Coalition to End Biased Stops partnered with the Public Defender’s office, resulting in reforms that impact everyday life for San Franciscans. “Together we urged the Police Commission to create a new policy limit, to ban the Police Department from using certain traffic stops as a pretext for harassing people of color,” said the Public Defender.  Check out the CSJ blog. We are incredibly proud to be the first in the country to enact such an important reform. 

The Public Defender shared several heart-wrenching cases when San Franciscans experienced racial bias during arrests, court appearances, and in sentencing. Watch the Public Defenders full speech at Glide Memorial Church to hear these important stories:  

The Public Defender centered his words in the Book of Acts, Hafez and the Rev. Cecil Williams.  “I need to be in touch with the people. You’ve got to look in their eyes. You’ve got to feel what they feel. You’ve got to engage people,” read the Public Defender, quoting Cecil.  “All that we do and believe is engaging people to touch, to heal, to look at each other’s eyes, to feel with each other, to cry with each other, to moan, to groan, to rejoice, to be happy.”    

                                 Public Defender Mano Raju leading a Town Hall discussion
                                                          in Freedom Hall after Celebration

After the Celebrations, he put Cecil’s words into action, meeting with individuals eating lunch at GLIDE. In a crowded Freedom Hall, those who navigate the criminalization of poverty daily were able to speak directly to San Francisco’s Public Defender and received “Know Your Rights” cards.  

After an arrest, people who cannot afford an attorney rarely get much time with the public defenders fighting on their behalf. On this day, individuals from the streets were able to share a meal in a safe place with one of San Francisco’s top elected officials.