Peter Weiss: Trailblazing Human Rights Lawyer Dies at 99

Remembering Peter Weiss

• 🕯️ Peter Weiss, a trailblazing human rights attorney, passed away at the age of 99.
• 🏛️ He was a dedicated board member of the Center for Constitutional Rights for nearly five decades.

Key Legal and Activist Contributions

• ✊ Weiss was instrumental in efforts to end South African apartheid and the Vietnam War.
• 🕊️ He actively fought for nuclear disarmament.
• ⚖️ He sought justice for victims of the U.S.-backed Contras in Nicaragua during the 1980s.
• 📜 Weiss pioneered the use of the 1789 Alien Tort Statute in human rights litigation.

Justice for Charles Horman

• 📰 He represented the family of journalist Charles Horman, who was disappeared and killed in Chile after the U.S.-backed 1973 coup.
• 🔒 Weiss highlighted the challenges of such cases, noting that crucial evidence was often withheld due to classification.

Legacy and Impact

• ✨ Alongside his wife Cora Weiss, he supported numerous progressive institutions.
• 🌍 His work aimed to hold the U.S. government accountable for atrocities committed globally.
• 🌟 Peter Weiss is remembered for his unwavering commitment to a more just and equitable system, inspiring many with his deeds.