The California African American Museum (CAAM) invites the public to attend a special tribute to the late legendary attorney Leo Branton, Jr., who passed away of natural causes on April 19, 2013, at the age of 91. The tribute will take place on Friday, June 7, 2013, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at CAAM, 600 State Drive in Exposition Park.    

 Branton was most famous for his successful defense of the black political activist Angela Davis, who was accused of conspiring against a Marin County Judge, as well as kidnapping and murdering him, during the politically-charged and turbulent 1970s.  It was his dramatic closing arguments, delivered during Davis’ murder trial, that persuaded an all-white jury she was innocent.  Branton was also noted for taking on high-profile excessive force cases involving the Los Angeles Police Department as well as representing African American icons such as actress Dorothy Dandridge, singer Nat King Cole and members of the Black Panther Party.

The event will include remarks and special tributes by black political activist Angela Davis; California Attorney General Kamala Harris; Black Panther Party member Roland Freeman; former Executive Director of American Civil Liberties of Southern California, Ramona Ripston; and CAAM’s Executive Director, Charmaine Jefferson.  In addition, CAAM will broadcast a presentation of a documentary on Branton, which includes footage of Branton filmed during one of CAAM’s Conversations at CAAM events in 2010. 

Refreshments will precede the Tribute. This event is free and open to the public.  RSVPs are preferred at mstansbury@caamuseum.org or (213) 744-7469. 

Parking is $10 in the lot adjacent to CAAM at 39^th and Figueroa streets.  For

more information on CAAM visit http://www.caamuseum.org.  Follow CAAM on Twitter @CAAMinLA and “Like” the CAAM Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/caaminla

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

The California African American Museum (CAAM) researched, collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African American. Chartered by the California State Legislature in 1977, CAAM is a state supported institution and a partner with the 501 (c )(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum. In addition it is permanent collections of over 3,000 objects of art, artifacts and historical documents, CAAM also houses a research library containing more than 20,000 volumes, employs and trains high school students through it Young Docents program, an hosts in-house curated exhibition throughout California and traveling exhibition on a regular basis. The museum also tours CAAM exhibitions throughout California and the nation.

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