New Resource: Investing in Racial Equity Through Charitable Grants And Services | Key legal insights & strategies for grantmakers & nonprofits in an evolving landscape.
The Fight Continues: We sent a letter to 150+ colleges, universities, and school superintendents urging them to reject flawed federal guidance and continue lawful efforts to foster diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
The Fight for Affirmative Action
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court issued rulings in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC that significantly limit the use of race-conscious admissions. While affirmative action was not explicitly banned, the decisions weaken longstanding precedent and create new barriers for colleges and universities seeking to consider race as one of many factors in their admissions processes. Learn more
Model Online Civil Rights Act
AI tools used in facial recognition, hiring, tenant screening, and credit scoring often reinforce racial bias and discrimination. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law advocates for equity-centered technology and has released the model “Online Civil Rights Act” to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly, protecting the civil rights of Black communities and other communities of color. Learn more
January 6th Insurrection
On January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol Police officers risked their lives to protect our democracy. They faced a violent, mass attack on the Capitol driven by intentional misinformation aimed at overturning the legitimate results of an election in which record numbers of Black voters made their voices heard. The violent attack was designed to threaten and intimidate those involved in conducting and protecting the election certification process. It was not just an attack on people or property, but an attack on democracy itself.
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote. Election Protection provides Americans from coast to coast with comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting – from registration, to absentee and early voting, to casting a vote at the polls, to overcoming obstacles to their participation. Election Protection helps voters make sure their vote is counted through a number of resources, including: A suite of voter helplines, Voter Protection field programs across the country, and digital outreach tools. Throughout the election cycle we’re working tirelessly to protect the vote.
Blog, Press Releases & Newsclips
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Condemns the House Reconciliatory Passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. House passed the budget reconciliation bill following narrow passage in the Senate. In response, Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, issued the following...
Lawyers’ Committee Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON— Today, Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tiebreaking vote with a 50-50 split of Senators who voted to pass the budget reconciliation bill. The following is a statement from Demelza Baer, director of the Public Policy Project at the Lawyers’...
Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Case about a Program that Provides Broadband Internet Access to Underserved People
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling today in FCC v. Consumers' Research, and Schools and Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition v. Consumers' Research. The following statement was issued by Gillian Cassell-Stiga, senior counsel of the Digital Justice...
SCOTUS Limits Nationwide Injunctions, Risking Legal Protections
Washington—On Friday the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, limited universal injunctions issued by federal courts. The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: “Even though...
Lawyers’ Committee Statement on Juneteenth
WASHINGTON D.C. – Damon T. Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, released the following statement in honor of Juneteenth. “In a time where our civil rights and our communities are under vicious assault,...
In Win for Academic Speech, Oklahoma Supreme Court Says Higher Ed is Off-Limits from Censorship Law
The court also left in place a preliminary injunction preventing K-12 schools from implementing confusing bans on teaching related to race and gender OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled today that the state’s 2021 classroom censorship law does not apply...
