CIVIL RIGHTS HOTLINE (360) 733-2233

About the WCRP Class and Practicum
Making a Civil Rights Complaint to the Whatcom Civil Rights Project
Legal Research Tips

About the Whatcom Civil Rights Project
Founded in the fall of 2001 on the initiative of local attorney Breean Beggs, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, and Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County.
Trained students conduct intake interviews for the Whatcom Civil Rights Project in conjunction with volunteers from the Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce. After the intake interview, the students prepare a memo for the Attorney Review Panel that contains a concise summary of relevant facts and identifies possible legal claims. As the project develops, students will continue working with the attorney on a case through the entire litigation process.
Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce volunteers assist in the intake interviews. They serve as advocates for the victims of alleged civil rights violations and help to provide the victims with non-legal resources. To serve as a volunteer, one must attend a one-time two-hour training (usually offered each quarter).
To be trained for the student role, Western Washington University students must take Fairhaven 377 Whatcom Civil Rights Project Class (usually offered once a year in winter quarter). After taking the class (or concurrently with taking the class), students may staff actual interview shifts by signing up for Fairhaven Class 378 Whatcom Civil Rights Practicum.
Organizations Involved in the WCRP

Fairhaven College
Fairhaven College is the interdisciplinary, liberal arts college of Western Washington University. At Fairhaven, students take an uncommon degree of responsibility for the structure and content of their own education.  We are a small learning community where students can design their own degree programs by drawing from the resources within the larger university.  How is Fairhaven different? 
*    Interdisciplinary study is at the heart of our philosophy. Courses enable students to make connections between several subjects and link topics together.  Students learn critical thinking strategies used in various disciplines and areas of study, and application of these thinking and problem solving skills to larger issues and questions.
*    Classes are small and interactive.  We think of ourselves as a learning community, where everyone is an essential participant in the experience of learning, inside and outside the classroom.
*    Independent study is encouraged and can be an integral element of a student’s degree plan. 
*    Narrative evaluations written by the student and the faculty member replace number and letter grading at Fairhaven. The narrative evaluation forms an “academic autobiography “ which charts students’ growth and learning in the classes they take at Fairhaven.
*   Students are encouraged to find their connection with the world, to understand relationships of thought and action, theory and expertise, to cultivate opportunities and to apply what they learn through participation in campus and community activities, through internships and through experientially-based learning activities.

Whatcom Human Rights Task Force (WHRTF)
Established in 1994, following incidents of racial intimidation against migrant farm workers in Whatcom County, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is a group of community organizations, religious people and other Whatcom County citizens who began organizing to help monitor, respond to, and prevent further acts of malicious harassment against targeted groups or individuals.
The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is committed to:

1. Educating the community about tolerance, honoring diversity and identifying commonalities;
2. Organizing a unified, non-violent action response to those who condone human rights abuses;
3. Providing support and referral for victims of bias crimes and/or other interested parties;
4. Monitoring malicious harassment, community and governmental responses; and
5. Supporting human rights legislation.

Legal Assistance by Whatcom (LAW) Advocates
Established in 1987, LAW Advocates' mission is to provide access to justice and legal assistance to Whatcom County residents who are unable to financially obtain them. LAW Advocates (LAWS) connects low-income people with attorneys who provide civil legal assistance without charge.
LAWS implements programs, conducts trainings, provides classes and develops written materials which educate and enable people to act for themselves in solving their legal problems. LAWS pro bono panel of 130 attorneys provides services ranging from self-help information to full litigation representation. Direct representation assistance is provided in such diverse areas as family law, housing issues, debtor/creditor problems, guardianships and consumer issues.
The Will Program assists seniors, the terminally ill and the disabled. Through LAWS Lawyer of the Week Program, Street Law, and Attorney Consultation Program, people are provided with information, advice and referrals. LAWS Dissolution Clinic and Self-Help Domestic Relations Materials have encouraged self-advocacy skills in clients and have removed the barriers to pro se representation.
LAWS Project SAFER (Stop Abuse and Fear by Exercising Rights) Program provides family law staff attorneys working at the LAW Advocates office, who provide legal assistance for domestic violence victims through information/referrals, advice/case assessment and direct representation. The Program also provides training and technical assistance to victim services agencies, law enforcement, attorneys and judges.

Whatcom Civil Rights Project Class
Founded in the fall of 2001 on the initiative of local attorney Breean Beggs, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, and the Law and Diversity Program of Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County.
Trained students conduct intake interviews for the Whatcom Civil Rights Project in conjunction with volunteers from the Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce. After the intake interview, the students prepare a memo for the Attorney Review Panel that contains a concise summary of relevant facts and identifies possible legal claims. As the project develops, students will continue working with the attorney on a case through the entire litigation process.
To be trained for the student role, Western Washington University students must take the Fairhaven Class 377 Whatcom Civil Rights Project Class (usually offered once a year in winter quarter). After taking the class (or concurrently with taking the class), students may staff actual interview shifts by signing up for the Fairhaven Class 378 Whatcom Civil Rights Practicum.

Whatcom Civil Rights Project Class Description
Texts: Class Manual prepared by instructor; Legal Research text
Prerequisites: Strong writing skills, ability to work well with diverse populations, confidentiality and reliability.
The Whatcom Civil Rights Project course is an excellent class for anyone interested in civil rights, going to law school, or working with victims of discrimination. This is a tremendous opportunity to work "hands on" with victims and the legal system.
Non-Fairhaven College students are welcome (and encouraged) to take this class. . In this class, students gain the skills necessary to participate in WCRP by learning interviewing skills, how to write organized summaries of fact and law, and how to present cases orally. Major civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disability Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will be covered. Basic legal research skills are taught.  Much of the class will be conducting mock intake interviews and learning how to approach cases.

WCRP Practicum
The WCRP runs continuously throughout the academic year. After taking the Whatcom Civil Rights Project Class (or concurrently with the class), students may take the WCRP practicum in for continued work in the WCRP. Practicum students meet weekly as a group and also take a weekly shift of intake interviews.

Civil Rights Legal Research Tips

Consider ALL possible sources of law to see if a civil rights violation has occured:
-Federal and state constitutions
-Federal and state statutes
-Municipal charters and ordinances (city and county)
-Regulations by federal, state or municipal agencies
-Case law (federal and state)
-Treaties
-Employer policies (consider union and contractual rights)

Internet Legal Research-Places to Start
Federal Court Cases and Statutes: http://www.law.cornell.edu/
Washington State Court Cases and Statutes: http://www.legalwa.org/
RCW Chapter 49.60 (Law Against Discrimination):
http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction=chapterdigest&chapter=49.60
Whatcom County Code: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/index.jsp
Bellingham Municipal Code and City Charter: http://www.cob.org/

Look up the Web sites of federal, state, municipal and private agencies that enforce civil rights laws.
These Web sites often have the laws explained in terms that are easy to understand, describe exactly how to file a complaint (and how long you have to file it), and list links to other useful Web sites.
Department of Justice (Civil Liberties)
http://www.usdoj.gov/civilliberties.htm
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Any individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against in employment may file an administrative charge with the EEOC.
http://www.eeoc.gov
Seattle District Office Phone: (206)-220-6883
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Enforces the Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60).
http://www.wa.gov/hrc/
Phone: (800)-233-3247
Northwest Justice Project
http://www.nwjustice.org/
Northwest Women's Law Center
http://www.nwwlc.org/

Use a library and ASK A LIBRARIAN to help you.
Whatcom County Law Library
WWU Library

Questions to Ask Yourself to Assess the Strength of Your Complaint:
Who committed the discrimination? (Government, business, private individual?)
How do you know that the discrimination was based on your protected characteristic (such as race or gender) or legally protected conduct (such as free speech) rather than the person just not liking you?
Where was the discrimination committed? (country, state, county and city?)
When was the discrimination committed?
What proof do you have that the discrimination occurred? (witnesses? documents?)
What harm was done to you? (lost a job, emotional distress, etc.?)
Which specific law (constitution, statute, regulation, etc.) forbids this type of discriminatory behavior?
What remedies does this law allow? (can you sue for money, an injunction, etc.?)
What is the statute of limitations for this law? (how long do you have to make a complaint or file a lawsuit?)
Is there an agency that enforces this specific law?

General Information About Making a Civil Rights Complaint
The Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, and Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination in Whatcom County (and sometimes neighboring counties). By actively pursuing legal avenues to combat hate and intolerance, WCRP brings justice to those who have been victimized and acts as a deterrent to further acts of discrimination.
We conduct intake interviews with victims of civil rights violation to see if it is the kind of case that the WCRP will take. Civil rights violations may include discrimination based on a legally protected characteristic such as race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status and/or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or legally protected conduct (such as free speech).

In general we do not handle cases involving criminal prosecutions, traffic violations, divorce or child custody, landlord-tenant disputes, or wills.
We are run entirely by volunteers, so please set your expectations accordingly. WCRP Students and Volunteers conduct intake interviews and then present the case at an Attorney Review Panel to see if WCRP can take the case (depending on when the next panel is held, this may take a month or longer). Please note that until you and an attorney have signed a retainer agreement, the WCRP does NOT represent you (and you are advised to keep looking for an attorney). Although there are numerous legitimate and important cases, we can only represent a limited number of them.

Intake Process for Whatcom Civil Rights Project:
1. Call the CIVIL RIGHTS HOTLINE (360) 733-2233 to schedule an intake interview.
2. Attend intake interview and bring relevant documents. Interviews are generally scheduled sometime in the evening of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Intake interviews are held at Fairhaven College on the south end of the Western Washington University campus. Parking in the lot in front of Fairhaven College (lot 12A) is free after 5 p.m.

Directions to Fairhaven College (on South Campus Drive in Bellingham):
South Campus Drive is off of Bill McDonald Parkway (intersection is west of Sehome High School)
Turn into the Fairhaven Parking Lot from South Campus Drive
From the north end of the parking lot, look up to the East. You will see a set of cement stairs leading into the trees. Follow those stairs, enter the building straight ahead and continue up one flight of stairs inside the building. The college is on the third floor (the top floor).
3. Keep in contact with the volunteer (and provide any additional information requested).
4. Within a month or so, your case will be discussed at an Attorney Review Panel. You will be notified as to the outcome (whether or not the WCRP will take your case).
5. If your case is accepted by the project, you will be referred to a specific attorney who will represent you.

Other Resources for Civil Rights Complaints
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Enforces the Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60). The Commission works to prevent and eliminate discrimination by investigating human rights complaints and providing education and training opportunities throughout the state.
Website: http://www.wa.gov/hrc/
Phone: (800)-233-3247

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Any individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against in employment may file an administrative charge with the EEOC.
1801 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20507
Website www.eeoc.gov
Federal Office Phone: (202) 663-4900
Seattle District Office Phone: (206)-220-6883

The Administrative Office Of The Courts (Washington)
1206 Quince Street SE P.O. Box 41170 Olympia, WA 98504-1170
Website: www.courts.wa.gov (Includes many forms and instructions on how to fill them out)
Phone: (360) 753-3365

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington Works in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country.
705 Second Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104
Administrative Telephone: (206) 624-2184 Complaint and Referral Line: (206) 624-2180
http://www.aclu-wa.org/

Northwest Women's Law Center
Advances women's legal rights throughout the Northwest through litigation, legislative advocacy, and their self help program, which provides legal information and referral services and materials to help women help themselves with legal problems.
3161 Elliott Av., Ste. 101 Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 682-9552
http://www.nwwlc.org/

Local Resources:
Whatcom County District Court
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 676-6770
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/districtcourt/index.jsp

Whatcom County Public Defenders
County Courthouse, Suite 304 Bellingham, Washington 98225
(360) 676-6803
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/superior/resources/pubdefender.jsp

Northwest Justice Project
Not-for-profit statewide organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income people.
1814 Cornwall Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (888)-201-1014
http://www.nwjustice.org/

Lummi Victims of Crime Program
Provides 24-hour assistance to tribal members who are victims of crime.
Phone: (360) 384-2285.

Opportunity Council Community Resource Center
A local Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities.
314 E. Holly St. Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 734-5121 ext. 370
http://www.oppco.org/

LAW Advocates (LAWS)
Provides civil legal assistance and access to justice for Whatcom County residents who are unable to afford them, including family law assistance for victims of domestic violence.
Phone: (360) 671-6079

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Provides legal representation and community education to low-income refugees and
immigrants in Washington State.
Phone (206) 587-4009
http://www.nwjustice.org/docs/8146.html