Global Intern Amy Myers
Center for Constitutional Rights
Read Amy's final report here.
Profile
Amy is in her fourth year of the Juris Doctor at Monash University and is due to graduate in June 2017. During her undergraduate Arts degree, Amy studied sociology and English literature. She worked for a year at the Department of Justice, Community Correctional Services, and it was here that she realised her interest in criminal justice reform and human rights generally. After travelling extensively through Asia and Eastern Europe, Amy established her own small business. She operated this for several years before deciding to follow her passion for social justice through the study of law.
Amy specifically chose to apply to intern at the Center for Constitutional Rights (“CCR”) in New York City because of their courageous and unwavering dedication to litigating and advocating for a wide range of urgent and often unpopular human rights issues. CCR has been a defender against oppression and government misconduct for 50 years and is at the vanguard of using strategic litigation and movement based lawyering. Some areas of focus are racial and religious profiling, especially following the events of 9/11, as well police brutality and the Movement for Black Lives, issues that Amy sees as becoming even more important to advocate for in the current U.S. climate and which are also relevant in the Australian political landscape.
Amy previously interned for 18 months at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center in New Orleans, as a Reprieve volunteer. Amy’s interest in racial injustice grew further through her work on the Blackstrikes Report, a research project that empirically proved the systemic discrimination practices in jury selection. Amy particularly enjoyed the humanitarian aspects of the internship, such as visiting clients on death row and taking their phone calls. These interactions reinforced Amy’s interest and commitment to prisoner rights and advocacy.
Upon her return to Australia, Amy became involved with the Castan Centre’s pilot Indigenous Homework Club program at Port Phillip Prison. The program involved tutoring and social engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates with a goal of fostering two way learning and encouraging the development of an interest in education. Amy hopes to work in a remote Aboriginal community as a legal advocate after she completes her studies.
Amy feels extremely privileged to have the opportunity to support CCR’s invaluable work. This educational experience will expand her legal skill and knowledge of broader issues of injustice and provide a deeper understanding of how to work alongside impacted communities to foster social change.