Disrupting the False Dichotomy: Moving Toward a Family Justice Framework in Abolitionist Movement Lawyering to End Family Policing

This article was written by jasmine Sankofa and Miriam Mack (Movement for Family Power), Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey (K.Adeniyi Law), Sarah Katz (Temple University Beasley Law School), and April Lee (Philly Voice for Change).

Following up on the Temple Law Review and Juvenile Law Center's Symposium, Youth Justice in a New Era: Reflections on State Constitutional Litigation, Abolition, and Movement Lawyering, this essay challenges the false dichotomy between child safety and family integrity. 

Together, we argue that true safety is achieved by addressing structural inequities and strengthening families rather than relying on surveillance and separation, while also amplifying the role of community and movement lawyering in honoring and defending sacred family bonds.