Eric Butler: Pioneering Anti-Violence Counselor and Restorative Justice Advocate Dies at 49

Eric Butler, an accomplished anti-violence counselor, passed away at his New Orleans home on August 4, 2023. He was 49. His untimely death is under investigation by the Orleans Parish coroner's office, with the cause remaining unknown, as reported by his sister Najla Butler. She mentioned that Mr. Butler had suffered from seizures throughout his life, which he attributed to stress.

Impact and Influence

Mr. Butler gained recognition for his work with emotionally closed-off teenagers, street gangs in Oakland, California, and at a last-chance high school in the city. His efforts to divert young individuals from the criminal justice system caught the attention of the media, leading to coverage in The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor in 2013, as well as a 2017 documentary film titled "Circles."

Legacy in Restorative Justice

Through these platforms, Mr. Butler became well-known in the field of restorative justice in education, offering an alternative to "zero tolerance" policies like suspension and expulsion. These punitive measures disproportionately affect Black students compared to their white counterparts and can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline.

Despite a life marked by challenges, Eric Butler's dedication to guiding troubled youth away from the clutches of the criminal justice system and advocating for restorative justice in education techniques leave an indelible mark on the field. His passing is a profound loss, but his impact on countless lives will endure.