Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

#BREAKING: The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, on behalf of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), has filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful repeal of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program. The lawsuit argues that the administration’s unilateral decision to terminate this congressionally mandated program violates the Constitution’s separation of powers. Congress, not the Executive Branch, authorized this program to close the digital divide and ensure equitable access to the internet, a necessity in modern life. “NDIA is taking the extraordinary step of suing the federal government for the 30,000 people who were counting on our Digital Navigator + program to help guide them through submitting job applications, accessing telehealth, attending classes, and staying safe online,” said Angela Siefer, executive director of NDIA. “Thousands more across the country stood to benefit from Digital Equity Act grants through other trusted community organizations. Let’s be very clear, the Digital Equity Act is not unconstitutional nor racist, it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support to ensure the United States can compete in today’s modern economy.” For millions of Americans—veterans, people with disabilities, rural residents, and disproportionately Black and Brown communities—reliable internet access is the key to opportunity. The loss of these grants jeopardizes access to telehealth, education, employment, and civic participation. “The Digital Equity Act provided necessary funding to ensure that every American can be connected, despite their background, zip code, or tax bracket, as the internet becomes inextricably linked to the continued progress of our country. It is increasingly impossible to participate in and contribute to American society and the economy without internet access. Beyond the internet being a place where we can connect, it is where we now learn and gain critical resources, making access essential,” said Leah Frazier, director of the Digital Justice Initiative at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The gutting of the Digital Equity Act is a concerning action that is beyond the  authority of the Executive branch and serves to exacerbate inequity in our country.” The Digital Equity Act is about fairness, opportunity, and ensuring all Americans can fully participate in the digital age. Ending the Competitive Grant Program isn’t just bad policy—it’s unconstitutional. Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/eAymFfjp   #DigitalEquity #CivilRights

This week, we’re proud to join partners nationwide in celebrating #DigitalInclusionWeek (DIW), powered by National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). The 2025 theme, “Community-Driven Digital Futures" underscores that equitable innovation begins at the local level and must be rooted in civil rights. At the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, our Digital Justice Initiative team is tackling digital discrimination on multiple fronts that disproportionately harm Black people, communities of color, and underserved communities: - Broadband equity: This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, safeguarding billions in broadband support for schools, libraries, and underserved communities. - Algorithmic fairness: We continue to challenge Big Tech, including our case against Meta that alleges its ad systems disproportionately delivers for-profit school ads to Black users. - Civil rights in AI: Our Model Online Civil Rights Act set a roadmap for Congress to prohibit algorithmic discrimination, mandate bias testing, and require transparency so that technology serves justice, not inequality. Digital equity isn’t a luxury—it’s a civil right. As we mark #DIW2025, we reaffirm our commitment to closing the digital divide and building community-driven futures where every person, especially those too long excluded, has equal opportunity to thrive. Learn how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/eNvsyai9 #DigitalInclusion #DIW2025 #DigitalEquityNow #CivilRightsInTech

Today, October 1, marks the start of a critical 10-day federal court hearing on Texas’s illegal redistricting plan, a hearing that will determine whether the court grants a preliminary injunction to block the map. Robert Weiner, director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, made clear what’s at stake: “The governor said that’s what he was going to do, to remove these majority-minority districts, and the legislators echoed that in their statements during the debates. They were told to do it. They said they would do it. And they did it.” Weiner pointed to statistical evidence showing that the plan was deliberately designed to undermine the ability of communities of color to elect their candidates of choice— violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fifteenth Amendment. “The racial composition of these new districts cannot be explained by partisanship, and they [the Texas governor and state legislators] really focused on race, just as they were told to do, and all of that is illegal.” The Lawyers’ Committee, alongside the Texas NAACP, first challenged Texas’s 2021 redistricting for intentional discrimination. When the 2025 plan made that discrimination worse—by eliminating majority-minority congressional districts—we filed to stop the map from taking effect. This is intentional discrimination, and it is unlawful. We are proud to stand at the forefront of this fight to defend fair representation in Texas and protect voting rights nationwide. #VotingRights #TexasRedistricting #CivilRights NAACP

This October, we mark the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a milestone honoring the contributions of workers with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. For decades, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has worked alongside partners to challenge systemic barriers and defend the rights of people with disabilities, from litigation to secure equal access to education for students with special needs, to advocacy ensuring equitable opportunities in the legal profession. NDEAM underscores that disability rights are civil rights. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” is a reminder of the vital role workers with disabilities play in strengthening our communities, our workforce, and our shared future. #NDEAM #DisabilityInclusion #CivilRights

In July, we honored milestones in the fight for justice, from the 61st anniversary of the Civil Rights Act to Disability Pride Month, while advancing critical cases like ERC v. Meta and speaking out on threats to democracy, healthcare, and voting rights. Catch the highlights in our July newsletter! #CivilRights #DisabilityPride #VotingRights

At the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, we’ve fought for over 60 years to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real. Now, we’re seeking a Senior Counsel or Counsel to join our Voting Rights Project in Washington, DC. This is a chance to: -⚖️ Litigate complex and high-impact cases to protect the right to vote and challenge discriminatory redistricting. -🗳️ Support Election Protection, the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection program. -📢 Lead advocacy efforts, partner with civil rights allies, and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. Why Join Us? - Competitive salary range: $104,000 – $160,500 - Comprehensive benefits (healthcare, parental leave, 403(b) match, phone stipend) - Union-represented position with a transparent compensation structure - Opportunities to develop litigation expertise, mentor junior attorneys, and grow as a leader in the civil rights space If you’re ready to bring your skills and passion for racial justice to a national stage, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Apply now and help us protect democracy: https://lnkd.in/ecq2VdWd  #CivilRights #VotingRights 

Happy #NationalVoterRegistrationDay! 🎉 Today we’re joining the nationwide, nonpartisan movement to make sure every voice is heard at the ballot box. ✅ Take a moment to check your registration ✅ Make a plan to be #VoteReady for Election Day If you have questions or run into issues voting, call or text the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or visit 866ourvote.org. Let’s protect our democracy—together. #Vote #Election2025 #ElectionProtection #VotingRights

From September 15 to October 15, we honor the rich histories, achievements, traditions, and cultural diversity of Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States. At the Lawyers’ Committee, we recognize the profound impact Hispanic and Latino Americans have made—and continue to make—on our nation’s history, culture, and pursuit of justice. This month, and every month, we celebrate their advocacy, art, traditions, and leadership in shaping a more equitable and inclusive future. #HispanicHeritageMonth #CivilRights 

During National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, the Administration announced it will cut $350 million from programs that support colleges like Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Predominantly Black Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions—schools that have opened doors to higher education for under-resourced students. Michael Pillera, director of the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, responded: “This week should be about celebrating Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the opportunities they create for students. Instead, the Administration is cutting $350 million from Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) programs—hurting colleges that expand opportunity for under-resourced students and weakening equity in higher education.” Congress must act now to protect schools and students that urgently need these funds. We urge everyone to call their Members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and demand this critically-needed funding be restored. The Lawyers’ Committee will continue to stand with students and institutions fighting for equity in higher education. #HigherEd #CivilRights #HSIsWeek

The U.S. Department of Justice recently issued guidance that misrepresents the law and threatens to chill colleges and universities from valuing students’ lived experiences in admissions. In SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC, the Supreme Court was clear: students may write about, and colleges may consider, how race has shaped their journey, personal qualities, and unique ability to contribute to campus life.     Our new fact sheet—developed with coalition partners—sets the record straight: college essays can and should help schools see the whole student. Ignoring these perspectives ignores relevant indicators of merit, achievement, and the full measure of student potential. 📄 Download the fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/egeWegGJ  📚 Learn more about our Educational Opportunities Project: https://lnkd.in/ewWfPP9p  🔎 See our earlier joint fact sheet on DOJ’s memo: https://lnkd.in/evKpVyZV  #EducationalEquity #CivilRights #CollegeAccess #DiversityInEducation NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC National Women's Law Center LatinoJustice PRLDEF