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Welcome to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Newsroom. This page contains our press releases, news clips and blog posts.
We have subject matter experts on civil rights issues ready to handle inquiries from journalists on such issues as voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, fair housing, educational opportunity, racial justice matters and more.
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Candace Jackson-Akiwumi Brings Much Needed Racial, Professional Diversity to the Seventh Circuit
(Washington, D.C.) — For the first time in two decades, the U.S. Senate has confirmed a Black woman to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Candace Jackson-Akiwumi was confirmed with bipartisan support and is a partner at Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP....
Supreme Court Upholds First Amendment Rights for Students
(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled students have robust First Amendment rights when not at school, but that public schools can intervene in limited circumstances, such as to prevent bullying or harassment. In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled...
New Project Aims to Increase Racial Equity at Flagship Universities in the Great Lakes Region
(CHICAGO) - To increase access, retention and graduation rates for students of color at flagship universities in the Great Lakes region, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, with support from the Joyce Foundation, has launched the...
Housing Advocates Fight for Equitable Zoning Policies
(Washington D.C.) - The American Jobs Plan’s proposal incentivizing local governments to reform zoning laws could have unintended negative consequences for low- and middle- income families, including increased displacement, while failing to dismantle segregation in...
D.C. Statehood is a Civil Rights Issue That Must be Resolved with Full Citizenship
(Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee met Tuesday to hear testimony from proponents of making Washington, D.C. the nation’s 51st state. The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, president...
Judge Refuses to Hold Federal Officials Accountable After Violent 2020 Attack on Peaceful Protesters in Lafayette Square Park
(Washington, D.C.) – In a decision that defied the facts of that violent day, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich on Monday dismissed claims against former federal officials, including former Attorney General William Barr, in Black Lives Matter D.C. v. Trump....
New York City Voters’ Questions Answered at Election Protection
(NEW YORK) — Legal volunteers staffing the nonpartisan Election Protection 866-OUR-VOTE (866) 687-8683) hotline are available to answer calls from New York voters who need help casting their ballot during the June 22 mayoral primary election. The hotline helped...
Supreme Court Sides with Religious Bigotry in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia
(PHILADELPHIA) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a lower court ruling which allowed the city of Philadelphia to ensure that agencies participating in its foster care program do not engage in discrimination based on sexual orientation. The city banned...
Police Accountability Has Not Been Addressed Federally, Civil Rights Groups Urge Action
(WASHINGTON) – Prominent civil rights group leaders and the family of George Floyd demand that Congress address police accountability and police violence in the wake of the continued brutalization and killing of Black people. The following is a joint statement from...
Title IX Protections for Transgender Students are Welcome
(Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that it will extend Title IX protections to transgender students, stating that discrimination against gay and transgender students is prohibited under the law. A year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court...
Myrna Pérez Nomination Brings Voting Rights Directly to the Federal Bench
(Washington, D.C.) - President Joe Biden announced the nomination of Myrna Pérez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which hears cases from New York, Connecticut, and Vermont on Tuesday. Pérez is the director of the Voting Rights and...
Cravath, Swaine & Moore Donates Generously to Lawyers’ Committee’s Fight for Justice
(WASHINGTON) – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is proud to announce today that it has received a generous donation of $1 million from the New York City-based law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (Cravath). The donation will aid in the...
Demings Introduces Every Vote Counts Act to Bolster Civil Rights
(Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla) introduced the Every Vote Counts Act on Tuesday, which, for federal elections in places where there is mail-in balloting, would allow voters to track their mail-in ballot to ensure it has been counted, require every county...
Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Applauded by Lawyers’ Committee
(Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Monday. Since 2013, Judge Jackson has served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where she has written...
2021 First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship Class Announced
(Washington, D.C.) — The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and the Washington, D.C. office of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) announced the 2021 First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship (FirstGEN) Class...