In response to the Black Lives Matter protests that sparked demonstrations across the US in 2020, a group of legal observers came together that year to establish a formal chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) in Arkansas. Founded in 1937, the NLG was the first racially integrated US bar association and has long worked in public-interest and movement law. In Arkansas, its chapter functions as a volunteer organization of lawyers, law students, legal workers, jailhouse lawyers, and legal observers dedicated to addressing political, economic, and judicial inequalities. The National Lawyers Guild Arkansas Chapter (NGLAR) seeks to unite those who recognize the importance of protecting and expanding the rights of workers, women, LGBTQ people, farmers, people with disabilities, and people of color, recognizing their role in the nation’s well-being. Following its parent organization, NGLAR operates under the principle that “human rights shall be held more sacred than property interests.”
Arkansas NLGAR member Badria Mryyan leading a “Know Your Rights” training at Intransitive. Photo: NLGAR
NGLAR is a small, volunteer-run group with no paid staff, funded by memberships, grants, and donations. They work directly with grassroots organizations and activist groups, providing legal support and legal observers to accompany demonstrations and shield citizens from unfair police treatment. Their legal observers document protests and work with attorneys to gather evidence around arrests. NGLAR also offers 1-hour civil rights trainings for activists and civic and educational organizations, led by experienced attorneys. These cover topics such as free speech, legal rights during police encounters, permissible conduct during protests, and immigration issues. Recently, NGLAR revamped a student chapter at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, hosting talks and social events in support of social progressive movements. Legal guidance to organizations and law student training are key to NGLAR’s mission of supporting progressive social movements in Arkansas.
NLGAR members from across the South pose in front of Little Rock Central High School as part of the 2025 NLG Southern Regional Conference in Little Rock. Photo: NLGAR