The Aboriginal Legal Service is celebrating 50 years fighting for criminal justice reform, racial justice and resistance. The service was founded in 1970 by Indigenous activists in Redfern in response to ongoing instances of police brutality and the over‑policing of Indigenous communities. The Aboriginal Legal Service has served as the model for Indigenous self-determination for the past 50 years, advocating for community control and autonomy over the delivery of dedicated services in the Aboriginal community. Through early intervention programs for at‑risk youth, free legal services and advocacy for important approaches such as justice reinvestment, the Aboriginal Legal Service has fought to reform laws that disproportionately affect its community. In 2020 the Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted just how important this work is. I offer my deepest thanks to the Aboriginal Legal Service Board of Directors and the 200 staff members across New South Wales, and congratulate them on this important milestone.