NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

On the fourth anniversary of his death, we honor Representative John R. Lewis, a leader whose immense impact on civil and voting rights in this country is undeniable. In 1963, Representative Lewis became the national chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). A year later, he spearheaded “Freedom Summer” – or “Mississippi Summer” – a 1964 voter registration campaign for Black Americans in Mississippi. He went on to help organize the March on Washington that same summer, and the Selma March a year later. All these critical civil rights campaigns helped pass the Voting Rights of 1965. As a member of Congress, Mr. Lewis was instrumental in securing the repeated reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and, after the Supreme Court’s decision in 2013 by Shelby v. Holder struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, he fought tirelessly to attempt to restore the protections of this historic legislation. We continue his fight to protect and expand the right to vote for Black Americans.

The right to receive a truthful and inclusive education at public colleges and universities across Texas is under attack. Antonio L. Ingram II, Esq. dives deeper into tactics for pursuing potential litigation to combat anti-democracy bills in legislative bodies across the U.S. https://lnkd.in/eVT_aB6f

A peaceful transcontinental trek for Native American justice, which had begun with a few hundred people departing Alcatraz Island, California, the "Longest Walk" ended when thousands of marchers arrived in Washington, D.C. on July 15, 1978. The Longest Walk protested 11 pieces of legislation that would violate various treaty rights, particularly concerning land, fishing, and mineral rights. The demonstrations were also an opportunity to educate non-Native Americans about Indigenous cultural and spiritual life. Congress passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act just days after the march, followed a few months later by the Indian Child Welfare Act, both critical laws in protecting Native American rights and freedoms. And of the eleven pieces of legislation that the demonstrators had come to protest, not one passed.

To achieve true equality and justice, it is imperative to address the issues facing people of color with disabilities. This requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy reforms, community engagement, and intersectional advocacy. https://lnkd.in/gSDdxAGc

Thurgood Marshall was appointed as the first Black Solicitor General – the person responsible for arguing cases on behalf of the U.S. government before the Supreme Court – on this day in 1965. Two years later, President Johnson nominated him to the Supreme Court. Decades later, LDF and the Thurgood Marshall Institute carry on his pursuit of racial justice for all.

Yesterday, LDF was at the annual Netroots Nation Conference. We were thrilled to meet, share space, and converse with organizers, grassroots activists, politicians, and leaders from various civil rights organizations working to build a more just world. Thank you to Netroots and all our panelists for discussing the importance of building Black political power.

Last weekend, President & Director-Counsel Janai Nelson participated in the iconic Essence Festival. Thank you Essence for creating spaces and gatherings that truly empower our communities to act, especially at a time when our democracy is at stake. This weekend reminded us that when we fight together, we win!

LDF and other civil and human rights groups sent a letter urging the DOJ to investigate allegations of law enforcement abuses—in response to peaceful protests occurring in cities and on university campuses across the country—that may violate federal laws. A recent review found that 97% of on-campus protests in support of Gaza and the Palestinian people have been peaceful. This is consistent with the racial justice protests of 2020 of which researchers determined 93 percent were peaceful. Yet, law enforcement agencies have repeatedly deployed militarized force and tactics on campus and other protesters to disband pro-Palestinian protests, as they did in 2020 in response to racial justice protests. These actions require immediate investigation by DOJ and, as they pertain to educational institutions, by ED to ensure that the federal and constitutional rights of all protesters have been and remain protected. https://lnkd.in/eKGngpwc

LDF is asking a federal judge to require St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to relocate students from an elementary school located right next to a chemical plant. Fifth Ward Elementary School sits about 500 feet from the Denka Performance Elastomers plant in the small, predominantly Black community of Reserve. Since 2016, local advocates have pushed for the school district to stop sending kids to the school and called on the plant to reduce its pollution. Senior Counsel Victor M. Jones explains further. https://lnkd.in/gxcMucTA

Issues of police accountability and transparency are especially salient for Black and Brown New Yorkers. LDF filed an amicus brief in NYCLU v. Rochester, a case currently before the New York Court of Appeals about disclosing police disciplinary records. The brief argues that New York’s Freedom of Information Law imposes a broad duty of disclosure that requires the disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints. The brief also argues that, in its repeal of Section 50-a following the historic protests arising out of George Floyd’s murder, the New York State Legislature intended to improve greater transparency and accountability for police misconduct by allowing the public, including victims of police misconduct and their families, access to disciplinary records that include unsubstantiated complaints. https://lnkd.in/eE-36aPf