Join ArchCity Defenders for their Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration!

When: Wednesday, June 19 from 11am to 3pm. Doors open at 10:30.

Where: Fairground Park

The Juneteenth Kickoff to Freedom Summer STIL is a joint celebration with Saint John’s United Church of Christ (The Beloved Community), Faith for Justice, and Freedom Arts & Education Center.

We will provide the following:

• Voter Registration

• Voter Rights Information

• Trainings on Abolition, Civics, Expungement, Housing Rights, and Voting

• Resource Fair

• Legal Services*

  • Expungement – Lawyers will try to assess criminal records to determine your eligibility for expungement, assist with completing court forms if you are eligible and able to represent yourself, or walk you through an application for legal services if you may need more representation.Housing – Lawyers will assess your housing-related legal needs, provide advice (if possible) based on those needs, and counsel those dealing with poor housing conditions.

  • Pro Se Guides & Materials – Additional legal resources and materials will be available.

*None of the consultations with lawyers mean that you will be guaranteed legal representation at or after the event

Freedom Summer STL is a multidisciplinary effort focusing on four priority areas: voting, expungement, abolition, and housing justice. Throughout the summer, over a series of community events in St. Louis City and County, ArchCity Defenders and its community partners will, in part: 1) provide civics training, 2) educate residents on their voting rights – from what documents are required on election day to whether or not their right to vote has been restored following a conviction, 3) conduct voter registration, 4) provide criminal record expungement support, and 5) host legal clinics. Freedom Summer STL will culminate in a rally and march in August.  

The aim is to ensure that all information and resources can be easily accessed in a singular setting. The efforts will be a continuation of, and catalyst for, organizing and movement-building efforts, providing community members with tools needed to impact policy change.