NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

This week marked the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA). The CRA enacted key protections to forbid discrimination and promote equality for all. The passage of the law would not have been possible without the courage, dedication, and resolve of many predecessors who laid the legal framework and led national protests to push our country forward. After the Supreme Court struck down earlier civil rights statutes, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has done muscular work to transform our education system, workplaces, and public accommodations. Today, we need additional legislation that is equally transformative to further expand civil rights for a modern society. https://lnkd.in/ek2J6mHx

This July 4th, we know that much work remains before America can truly live up to its promise of freedom. Attacks on reproductive healthcare, inclusive education, and voting rights, and recent SCOTUS decisions, show us that now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to advance the full dignity and citizenship of all Americans.

Black hair is beautiful. Black hair is cultural. Black hair belongs. Today we're celebrating CROWN Day, which commemorates when California became the first state to pass the CROWN Act in 2019. The CROWN Act prohibits race-based hair discrimination that inhibits Black people’s mobility and infringes on their right to exist as their full selves, particularly in schools and the workplace. As of this June, 24 states have passed the CROWN Act. LDF is working alongside the CROWN Coalition to pass the act in all 50. https://lnkd.in/ebtdmNJp

We are thrilled to welcome Demetria L. McCain as our new Director of Policy. In this role, she will lead the organization’s policy team and diverse advocacy portfolio, including working with senior leadership to set the strategic direction for its legislative, policy and advocacy work in criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation. Her demonstrated record and expertise in racial justice efforts, ranging from economic justice to fair housing, will significantly benefit LDF and our work nationwide. https://lnkd.in/effu_ntn

After protests, sit-ins, boycotts, and crucial organizing by Black communities and civil rights activists, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law on this day. It prohibited discrimination in public places, declared integration of schools & public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. It was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. 60 years later, there's still much work left to do on the path to equal rights for people of color. As a champion of civil rights, LDF will continue to advocate on behalf of Black communities, both in and outside of the courts, until equal justice for all Americans is attained.

Thurgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland on this day in 1908. Marshall’s status as a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement and the Supreme Court is confirmed and upheld by LDF and other organizations pursuing racial justice and equal protection under the law for all. His legacy cannot be overstated: he worked diligently and tirelessly to end what was America’s official doctrine of separate but equal.

All of July we're honoring Disability Pride Month. We recognize that the history of the disability rights movement is inseparable from the civil rights movement, both of which strive for equality, justice, and inclusion for marginalized communities. Check out our pieces on the fight for disability rights ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gSDdxAGc https://lnkd.in/gRiuwgCn

In June, Senior Counsel Gary Spencer was re-elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the 55,000-member State Bar of Georgia. At LDF, Gary's work primarily focuses on desegregation and redistricting cases. Congrats Gary!

On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, ruling that the Petitioner, the owner of a website design studio, has a First Amendment right to deny services for weddings involving same-sex couples despite the state of Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination law. The ruling allows for violations of state public accommodation laws and provides legal cover for those who seek to curb any group of people’s right to access services due to their identity. It also erodes hard-won protections for Americans of diverse identities against discrimination and harm to their human dignity. On the final day of Pride Month, we reflect on this ruling and commit to working alongside LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals to fight discrimination, prejudice, and harm against queer communities.

Affirmative action has been a vital tool in advancing equal opportunity in higher education. But it was dealt a devastating blow in the Supreme Court’s ruling that Harvard and the UNC's race-conscious admissions policies are unconstitutional on this day in 2023. The success of our multiracial democracy relies upon pathways to professional achievement that are open to all. That's why LDF is still fighting to remove and remediate barriers to opportunity. Our FAQ and new Equal Protection Initiative dive deeper into the decision and how we can increase access to equal opportunities in education and the workplace. https://lnkd.in/ePENG4gc