Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Dr. Lafayette spent his life advancing nonviolence, democracy, and the right to vote.
His legacy reminds us that the work of protecting our democracy continues.
#Selma #VotingRights #BernardLaFayette

As the nation commemorates Selma this weekend, we honor the life and legacy of Bernard Lafayette Jr., a civil rights leader and co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee whose organizing helped lay the groundwork for the movement that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

2025 Impact Report

Read our 2025 Impact Report, Fighting Back / Fighting Forward: Addressing New Threats to Civil Rights, and see how we’re making the promises of democracy real.
www.lawyerscommittee.org/2025-impact-report
#CivilRights #FightForward

“As a matter of morality and as a matter of law—it is not illegal to invest in Black people….in Brown people…and women.”
— Damon Hewitt
That principle guided our work all year.
We fought to protect the promise of democracy — not just in theory, but in practice.

We didn’t just fight back in 2025.
We fought forward.
When voting rights were attacked.
When DEI was falsely branded “illegal.”
When digital platforms amplified discrimination.
We showed up.
🧵 Here’s what that looked like →

Statement from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on President Trump’s State of the Union Speech WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier tonight, President Trump addressed the nation with yet another divisive and inaccurate State of the Union, including baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and rampant no...

The Senate must reject the SAVE America Act and related anti-voter bills.
Read our full statement: : tinyurl.com/ynm5tms9
#ProtectTheVote #VotingRights #CivilRights

The Lawyers’ Committee strongly opposes the SAVE America Act.
This unnecessary bill would impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements and disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, disproportionately harming Black communities and other voters of color.

#BlackHistoryMonth is about more than remembering the past — it’s about protecting hard-won civil rights today. @HUDgov's proposed rule would weaken #FairHousing and #FairLending and open the door to discrimination. tinyurl.com/sm4u7fvm

"When the government takes a life, the public is owed the truth—quickly and completely. And when it happens repeatedly, fundamental change is needed.”
The Lawyers’ Committee condemns this killing and demands transparency and accountability at the highest levels.

Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said:
“We are watching the federal government normalize lawlessness as its officers continue to unnecessarily use deadly force, taking lives, and violating people’s rights with impunity…" (cont'd)

Federal agents in Minneapolis fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Public video and reporting raise serious concerns about the government’s account, and if accurate, he was exercising constitutionally protected rights when his life was taken.

🔗 Read the full statement: tinyurl.com/mu6uhbsv

Jan. 6 wasn’t just a moment. It was a warning. There’s a false narrative that the story of the Jan. 6 insurrection is settled, and we should simply move on. However, the fight for accountability must continue. The future of our democracy depends on it. lccrul.substack.com/p/january-6-...

We’re excited to build power together and grow the resources needed to advance justice.

With more than 20 years of experience advancing voting rights, civic engagement, and racial justice—and over $700M raised for mission-driven organizations–Salena joins us at a critical moment for civil rights in our nation.

We’re proud to welcome Salena Jegede as chief development officer at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Read the full announcement: tinyurl.com/968dnmx2

In today’s hearing in Smith v. Trump, the court will address whether President Trump can claim immunity for his actions related to the violent Jan. 6 attack – one of our LAST chances to hold him accountable. Learn more about our fight for accountability: www.lawyerscommittee.org/smith-v-trump/

📣 States must be able to defend their residents from discrimination, bias, and surveillance driven by unchecked AI. We’re pushing back against an executive order that threatens that power. Read our coalition response 👇 Press Release: tinyurl.com/4u4amt89

Artificial intelligence is transforming access to opportunity—shaping decisions about housing, lending, healthcare, jobs, education, and even interactions with law enforcement. But without strong… AI Civil Rights Act - A landmark civil rights bill for the digital age.

Watch our new explainer video on the AI Civil Rights Act — a landmark piece of civil rights legislation designed to protect communities from discrimination and bias in the age of artificial intelligence.

🎥 Watch: tinyurl.com/3kw65bem

Learn more and explore ways to support: tinyurl.com/4e3r6m8f

To learn more about the AI Civil Rights Act and how you can support the bill, visit:
www.lawyerscommittee.org/ai-civil-rig...
📸 Credit: Joy Asico-Smith for Associated Press | AP Content Services for Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

As AI rapidly reshapes our society, this legislation is a critical step toward ensuring that civil rights protections keep pace with emerging technologies—protecting communities from discrimination, bias, and inequitable outcomes.

Yesterday, President and Executive Director Damon Hewitt joined Senator Ed Markey; Representatives Yvette Clarke, Pramila Jayapal, Summer Lee, and Ayanna Pressley; and Leadership Conference President & CEO Maya Wiley to announce the reintroduction of the AI Civil Rights Act in Congress.

This is a pivotal step forward in ensuring technology strengthens — rather than undermines — civil rights.
Learn more and support today: www.lawyerscommittee.org/ai-civil-rights-act/ #AICivilRightsAct

Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law joined Senator Ed Markey and Representatives Yvette Clarke, Summer Lee, Ayanna Pressley, and Pramila Jayapal as they introduced the AI Civil Rights Act. Read our full statement: tinyurl.com/3wje7ya3 #AICivilRightsAct

Equal Rights Center v. Meta is the most important tech case flying under the radar | Brookings David Brody discusses how a new decision provides a model for how states and advocates can use state laws to protect civil rights amid AI.

New from me: Meta’s advertising system engages in race and gender segregation. A new lawsuit from @lawyerscomm.bsky.social provides a roadmap for new forms of accountability using state consumer protection laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices to challenge algorithmic discrimination.

A big win in Texas.

A federal court has blocked the 2025 Congressional maps—confirming what our clients have long known: the 2025 plan was discrimination by design.

Read our full statement: tinyurl.com/ykv2u4tc
#VotingRights #CivilRights #TexasRedistricting

Photo credits: Heaven Brown & Victoria Colbert / Imagine Photography for the Lawyers’ Committee

✨ Honorees included Laurence Fishburne, Kristen Clarke, Yolanda Renee King, Chicago Women in Trades, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

On October 16, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law celebrated 62 years of advancing civil rights at our 25th Annual Higginbotham Gala — an unforgettable evening honoring leaders who embody courage, unity, and justice.

🎉 2025 Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala: Rooted in Justice, Rising in Solidarity
📸 Relive the night of leadership, legacy, and solidarity and check out our official photo gallery here: lawyerscommittee.org/2025…
#CivilRights

#LatestNews: The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued an opinion in a case brought by Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) challenging anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion executive orders.

Read the opinion and learn more: lnkd.in/e9TDbGar
#CivilRights