White Plains, NY — During Social Justice Week at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, community leaders, lawmakers, faculty, students, and advocates gathered for a historic and deeply emotional ceremony—the dedication of the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room. The space honors the 68-year-old U.S. Marine veteran whose 2011 death at the hands of White Plains police continues to shape national conversations on accountability, justice, and reform.

Among the distinguished guests in attendance were New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Chris Burdick, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, Westchester County Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, and White Plains Councilman Justin Brasch. The ceremony also included Pace University President Marvin Krislov, Dean Horace Anderson, and members of the Chamberlain family.

Dean Horace Anderson opened the event with words that captured both the weight and hope of the occasion. “This room educates, illuminates, and advocates,” he said. “It’s a space for reflection, learning, and the moral courage to challenge systems that fail the people they’re meant to protect.” Anderson also acknowledged the pivotal role of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, stating, “Without her leadership, support, and advocacy, this room would not exist. Through her efforts, Pace secured the funding necessary to make this vision a reality.”

University President Marvin Krislov described the dedication as “a moment of solemn reflection and purposeful action,” adding, “The story of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. is not just a tragedy—it’s a call to action. Real justice is never passive; it must be pursued with purpose and vigor.”

The Case That Sparked a Movement

On November 19, 2011, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a retired U.S. Marine and lifelong White Plains resident, accidentally triggered his medical alert pendant while sleeping. Police responding to the alert arrived at his apartment and, despite Chamberlain’s repeated statements that he was fine and did not need help, forcibly entered his home. Within minutes, they tased him, fired beanbag rounds, and fatally shot him. His medical alert device recorded the entire incident—including his final words: “Semper Fi.”.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

Since that day, Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. has transformed his personal tragedy into a lifelong mission for change. As co-founder of the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform, he has fought for stronger oversight, transparency, and accountability in policing. His advocacy also inspired the award-winning independent film The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, starring Frankie Faison, which brought renewed national attention to his father’s story.

“Justice is the vision. Accountability is the work,” Chamberlain Jr. told the audience. “You can’t have justice without accountability, because without accountability, justice is just a word. The rule of law failed my family, but it didn’t break my faith.”

In an emotional moment, Chamberlain Jr. reflected on the day’s meaning. “To see a reading room bearing my father’s name in an institution where justice is taught and pursued—that’s truly an honor,” he said. “This isn’t just about my father. It’s about every family that has lost someone to police violence and is still fighting to be heard.”

He continued, “Many people have heard me say justice for Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.—then accountability for Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. They walk hand in hand, but they’re not the same. Justice is what we pray for; accountability is what we demand.”

The Lawyers Behind the Fight

The ceremony also honored the attorneys who stood with the Chamberlain family throughout their 12-year legal battle: Haub Law professors Randolph McLaughlin and Deborah Cohen, and civil rights attorneys Mayo Bartlett and Wali Muhammad.

Professor Randolph McLaughlin, who served as lead counsel, reminded the audience that the case became a catalyst for lasting change. “The death of Kenneth Chamberlain was a tragedy for his family and this community, but out of that tragedy, a movement was born for police reform,” McLaughlin said. “Ken Jr. turned pain into purpose and demanded that law enforcement be held to the same standard of justice they swear to uphold. That’s why this room matters—it’s not just about history; it’s about the work that continues.”

McLaughlin also praised the collaborative effort that made the reading room possible. “Without the vision of Dean Anderson and the leadership and funding support of Senator Stewart-Cousins, this project would not have become a reality,” he said.

Voices of Leadership

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, whose office helped secure funding for the project, spoke about the lasting power of justice through education. “It is something that we know will never replace Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., but each of us, every day, can do something to move forward justice, education, and compassion—all of the above,” she said. “When justice does not work, we must be able to examine it, be educated, and make the changes needed to ensure that it does.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer also praised the law school’s mission. “This is our job as lawyers—to fight for social justice. There are other paths, but the path we need to encourage students to take is right here.”

A Living Legacy

As the ribbon was cut, marking the official opening of the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room, the audience rose in applause. Dean Anderson closed the ceremony with a heartfelt reflection. “Your purpose became our purpose,” he told Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. “This room stands as a living classroom where courage meets the law.”

For Chamberlain Jr., the dedication was both solemn and empowering. “Today is about transformation,” he said.“We’ve turned pain into purpose. I hope my father’s legacy continues to bring this nation closer to accountability—not just for him, but for every family still waiting for justice.”

Now open to students, scholars, and the public, the Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Social Justice Reading Room at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law stands as both a memorial and a mission—a reminder that real justice demands truth, courage, and the unrelenting pursuit of accountability.