New Resource: Affirmative Action – Expert Answers to the Most Pressing Questions on Supreme Court Decisions in SFFA v Harvard/UNC
The Fight Continues: We sent a letter to 150+ colleges, universities and higher education institutions guiding how they can ensure equal opportunity and access for all.
The Fight for Affirmative Action
The recent decision undermines affirmative action as we know it, but the fight for opportunity for all in higher education does not stop. We all have a role to play in improving access to higher education moving forward, from elected officials and corporate leaders to academic institutions and government institutions. The Court has changed the law. Now, we must change the system. Join us as we fight harder than ever so that every student who wants to go to college has a fair shot to do so.
Celebrating 60 Years
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.
Blog, Press Releases & Newsclips
Lawyers’ Committee Statement One Year Since the U.S. Supreme Court Limited the Use of Race in College Admissions
WASHINGTON—June 29th marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in SFFA v. Harvard/ UNC-Chapel Hill undermining the use of race in college admissions. The Lawyers’ Committee litigated both cases from the beginning and argued the UNC case before the...
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Statement About the U.S. Supreme Court’s Ruling in Case about Criminalizing Homelessness
The Lawyers’ Committee submitted the amicus brief in the case here. The following statement is from Thomas Silverstein, Acting Director of the Fair Housing & Community Development Project. “The Court’s conclusion that sleeping outside when there...
Civil Society Organizations Urge Markup Delay for Privacy Bill, Restoration of Civil Rights Protections
More than 50 groups send letter to House Energy and Commerce leadership calling for postponement unless civil rights issues fixed WASHINGTON —The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the...
Lawyers’ Committee Opposes New Draft of American Privacy Rights Act, Urges Representatives to Vote No
Current draft bill strips out civil rights protections and weakens privacy. WASHINGTON—- The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law released the following statement in response to the most recent draft of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA). The...
Federal Court Partially Halts Oklahoma’s Classroom Censorship Law
OKLAHOMA —A federal court granted a partial preliminary injunction that will blunt the impact of Oklahoma’s classroom censorship law, HB 1775, which sought to severely restrict teachers and students in K-12 public schools and public universities from...
Supreme Court Rejects Attempt to Restrict Access to Abortion Medication Mifepristone
WASHINGTON—On Thursday, the Supreme Court in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, rejected an attempt by anti-abortion groups to block the Food and Drug Administration's actions loosening restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone. Though the Court...
Election Protection
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.