Original article: http://salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=3708
We will have legal aid and we will have access to justice” Erinma Bell
Maxine Peake and Michael Mansfield attended the party, Robert Lizar unveiled the plaque and Dr Erinma Bell cut the ribbon to open the Greater Manchester Law Centre.
After years of fundraising and hard work by volunteers, the Greater Manchester Law Centre’s HQ on Princess Road, Moss Side, was finally officially opened. Local law legend, Robert Lizar, unveiled the plaque and Dr Erinma Bell cut the ribbon, noting the symbolism of her act…
“You know how they say if there’s no legal aid there’s no access to justice?” she said as she scissored the ribbon “Well we’re cutting into that today… We will have legal aid and we will have access to justice. I’m going to cut into it because this is done by local people for local people. So no more ‘Nos’, it’s always going to be a ‘Yes’…”
After the official opening, there was a party at West Indian Sports and Social Club in Moss Side attended by over five hundred people with guests, Maxine Peake and superstar human rights lawyer, Michael Mansfield, plus entertainment courtesy of the Holy Name RC Primary School Steel Band, DJ Kemoy and the Woman Asylum Seekers Together choir.
The GM Law Centre will serve all of Greater Manchester, including Salford, and will not just provide legal aid for those who need it but will also campaign for properly funded social welfare lawyers so that justice is within everyone’s grasp and not just those with money.
The Greater Manchester Law Centre is situated at 159 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4RE.
For further details of the work of the GM Law Centre and opening hours see its website www.gmlaw.org.uk or call 0161 769 2244
