Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is proud to be one of 134 civil rights organizations that signed an open letter to the American people: “Our Rights Are at Stake. We Will Not Be Silenced.” “Our rights are under attack — but we will not be silenced. The American people must stand together to defend democracy, justice, and freedom." — Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Take the pledge. Stand up. Speak out. Read the open letter and join the movement: https://lnkd.in/eQSqchaj #PledgeforJustice #CivilRights #DefendDemocracy

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has filed a court brief defending the legal profession and judicial independence. We filed an amicus brief in Perkins Coie v. DOJ, opposing a Trump executive order that specifically targets the law firm Perkins Coie for representing clients and causes with which the President disagrees – a move that poses an existential threat to the critical tradition of law firms providing pro bono representation to protect civil rights. Our brief highlights how this executive order and others like it have created a chilling effect across the broader legal community. “The Trump administration is seeking to silence its critics and take away the path to justice for those who depend upon robust pro bono legal support.” – Damon Hewitt, President & Executive Director Pro bono attorneys have helped win hundreds of civil rights cases. If this order is allowed to stand, it could dismantle decades of progress. We call on law firms, bar associations, and people of conscience to join us.  Silence is not an option. Read the full statement and amicus brief: https://lnkd.in/enCZUrH8

On April 4, 1968, the world lost Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—but his fight for racial justice lives on. As a strategist of nonviolent resistance and a relentless advocate for civil rights, Dr. King led movements that reshaped America—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the March on Washington, from the Selma Voting Rights campaign to the Poor People’s Campaign. His life was a powerful testament to what justice in action looks like. His legacy remains our blueprint in the ongoing struggle against systemic racism, inequality, and injustice. At the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, we carry forward Dr. King’s vision by using the power of law to dismantle discrimination and promote equity for all. "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." –MLK Jr. Learn more about his life and legacy: https://lnkd.in/ePtzvpjc  #MLK #RacialJustice #CivilRights

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division needs a leader committed to upholding and advancing civil rights—not someone selected specifically for their opposition to them. Harmeet Dhillon was nominated for exactly that reason. Senators must OPPOSE Harmeet Dhillon’s nomination. https://p2a.co/G9PgfNB The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law will vigorously oppose any efforts to undermine civil rights and we remain steadfast in our commitment to advance justice and equality for people of color in America.

“We need Congress to do its part, to give us the tools to advocate, to litigate, and frankly, to educate people on what our rights are, what our rights should be.” - Damon Hewitt, president & executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. As attacks on voting rights continue, Damon Hewitt talked with NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang about the ongoing fight to protect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With key cases like Louisiana's redistricting at the Supreme Court, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Lawyers’ Committee is standing strong to challenge racial discrimination in voting and ensure that the law protects the rights of all Americans. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egVK7FHk #CivilRights #VotingRights 

We’re proud to announce that Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, will be a featured panelist at the 2025 National Action Network Convention. He will join the "Being a Light in Dark Times... Measuring the Movement" panel on Saturday, April 5th at 11 AM at the Sheraton Times Square in New York City. This exciting event will be moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton, and Damon will be joined by panelists: -Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation -Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League’s  -Clayola Brown, President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute’s  -Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Don’t miss your chance to register and attend! https://lnkd.in/eq3gbwyg #CivilRights #RacialJustice #Leadership

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is excited to share that our Acting Co-Chief Counsel Dariely Rodriguez will be speaking at the upcoming webinar "Navigating the Backlash-Advancing Racial Equity in a Shifting Landscape," hosted by the Center for Urban and Racial Equity (CURE) on Thursday, April 9th at 1-2:30pm ET. Dariely will be joined by Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, and Dr. Judy Lubin, Founder & President of CURE, who will moderate the discussion. Together, they will explore the changing legal and political landscape, address ongoing legal challenges to DEI executive orders, and offer insight on how racial equity advocates can respond with clarity and purpose. Don’t miss this important conversation– Register now: https://lnkd.in/emW8irsK | Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6fSsxZP #RacialEquity #Webinar #CivilRights #EquityForward

February Newsletter Alert: Defending Democracy in 2025.....From challenging anti-DEI executive orders to confronting digital discrimination and workplace injustice, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is on the frontlines. In February, we secured a Writers Guild Award, launched major civil rights lawsuits, and amplified our advocacy on national platforms. Don’t miss key updates, legal wins, press features, and career opportunities. Read the full roundup now! #CivilRights #DEI #VotingRights 

A federal court granted a temporary restraining order that halts enforcement of key provisions of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders against Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). Sabrina Talukder, senior counsel with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Economic Justice Project and plaintiff’s attorney, stated: “The court granted a temporary restraining order that will stop the enforcement of key provisions of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders against Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). This is a critical step in ensuring that the organization can continue the important work it leads – helping women put food on the table through careers in the skilled trades and making job sites safer for thousands of women over the last four decades.” Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/eUCczXu7  #CivilRights #CWIT #WomenInTrades

Robert Weiner, the Voting Rights Project Director at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s new executive order—an order that would inject chaos into our elections and disenfranchise millions of Americans from voting. “It will inject chaos into our elections process and block millions of eligible Americans from voting, for no good reason.” Weiner concludes, “We will vigorously fight such efforts to undermine the democratic principles that have made this country great. We will do everything we can to ensure that all Americans who are eligible to vote keep this basic American right.” The order also forces states to reject all ballots received after Election Day, even if mailed on time. Because Black voters disproportionately use mail-in voting, this change would result in even more lost votes—and a direct assault on their right to participate in democracy.  Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eGv7HRJm #CivilRights #VotingRights