Volunteer Opportunity: West Side Flats

The work of the West Side Community Organization (WSCO) “is grounded in the histories of displacement that have affected the West Side in Saint Paul, from the forced removal of the Dakota people in 1851, to the destruction of the immigrant community on the West Side Flats in the early 1960’s, to today’s displacement of low-income people of color due to gentrification.”  WSCO is seeking legal volunteers for a project related to the historical displacement of Latinx individuals in Saint Paul’s West Side Flats.  This project is open to practicing attorneys and law students who can volunteer their time to research, and advise on, legal options for WSCO and the impacted families.  This will initially involve looking at how other displacements are handled around the country (e.g., litigation, tax credits to displaced families, return of land rights).  Racey Rodne is heading the efforts to form a group of volunteers.  He will have a zoom meeting with WSCO on August 12 to discuss a timeline and the scope of WSCO’s needs.  If you are interested in working on this important effort, please reach out to rrodne@mcfarg.com.