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< Previous III 6https://www.opb.org/article/2025/03/30/some-voting-rights-act-cases-dropped-by-trump-administration/ 7https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1388501/dl?inline 8https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/hr4-election-democrats-power-grab-harmeet-dhillon THE RADICALIZATION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION For decades, the civil rights division of the Department of Justice acted as an enforcer of the rule of law. It protected Americans from discriminatory practices committed by the government and private corporations. Under its new leadership, the Civil Rights Division has been hollowed out and repurposed— transforming from a guardian of justice into a tool for political retribution. Within weeks of the new administration taking power, cases against election deniers who’ve tampered with the election equipment were dismissed and January 6th rioters were pardoned. At the same time, the civil rights division has withdrawn its arguments from key cases that play a role in the future of our Democracy including the Louisiana redistricting case before Supreme Court. 6 The attorney general has also issued guidance instructing the DOJ to investigate and sue corporations and universities with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 7 The civil rights community has collectively rebuked the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon, a leading voice in the election denier movement, to lead the DOJ’s civil rights division. Dhillon penned an op-ed for Fox News that opposed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act Amendment which would have restored full power to the legacy law. 8 The radicalization of the DOJ is more than bureaucratic rot—it is an existential threat to civil rights enforcement, allowing discrimination to flourish unchecked under the false guise of “reverse racism.” Our systems only work when there are checks and balances and accountability from its citizens. As civil rights organizations continue to push for advancements in critical civil rights protections at every level of government, staying vigilant in rapidly changed voting laws at the local level and electing representation who support progress, are steps every American can take to defend democracy and fight hate. 10 2025 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA® State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under AttackLaws Enforced by the Civil Rights Division The Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1968 The Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended through 2006 The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act of 1980 The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 Section 102 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 The Police Misconduct Provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 Prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin and citizenship status as well as document abuse and retaliation under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Protects the right to access reproductive health services by prohibiting threats, intimidation, or physical obstruction at clinics. Gives the DOJ authority to investigate law enforcement agencies suspected of engaging in patterns or practices of unconstitutional conduct, including excessive force, unlawful stops, or discriminatory policing. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek relief for persons confined in public institutions where conditions exist that deprive residents of their constitutional rights. Prohibits racial discrimination in voting. One of the most significant civil rights laws in U.S. history. 11 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IV 9https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/technology/twitter-far-right-followers.html 10https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/nadler-urges-investigation-x-restriction-kamala-harris-account-rcna163236 11https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/online-extremism-political-polarization-us-attacks-threat-rcna186017 MUTED: HOW DIGITAL CENSORSHIP & MISINFORMATION UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY The evolution of digital platforms and social media has changed the way we do everything—including organize. Leaders have galvanized support and raised awareness on injustices that may have otherwise gone unnoticed by sharing videos and connecting with supporters online. Activists are also able to pressure brands and organizations easily by posting on social media. These efforts have led to products being removed from shelves, elected officials passing laws to address unjust practices, and changes in public opinion on racial equity. However, during the pandemic, we saw a shift. The same platforms that protected the speech of marginalized communities were taken over by billionaires with their own political goals, many of which are anti-progress and extremist. Within a day of Twitter’s takeover in 2022, accounts championing right-wing views including anti-diversity rhetoric, hate speech, and conspiracy theories saw explosive growth on the platform as more progressive accounts saw their follower counts abruptly drop. 9 During the 2024 election cycle, accounts supporting progressive candidates also saw their accounts blocked and shadow banned without explanation. 10 The hateful rhetoric once confined to the darkest corners of the web has now breached classrooms, grocery stores, houses of worship, and public squares—fueling acts of violence and radicalizing a new generation of extremists. 11 And as social media continues to become a more hostile place for marginalized communities, platforms like Meta and YouTube have all but removed their content moderation and safety teams, and restored the accounts of far-right activists under the guise of promoting “free speech.” While free speech is a core value shared by the civil rights community, it is the work of all of us to ensure that there is equity on the internet, safe spaces for all communities to connect, and that we continue to hold bad actors accountable for radicalizing our citizens and jeopardizing the lives our of children and families. We are witnessing a digital rollback of rights mirroring what’s happening in courts and legislatures. The rise of far-right narratives online—combined with the silencing of progressive voices and the collapse of digital safeguards—isn’t just a tech issue. It’s a democracy issue. This is a call to action: to rebuild digital public squares where free speech doesn’t mean unchecked hate—and where progress isn’t shadow banned out of existence. shadow ban: to cause (a user or their content) to be hidden from some or all other users usually without the user’s knowledge. 12 2025 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA® State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under AttackDuring this time, right-wing influencers’ and conspiracy theorists’ accounts previously banned were restored, and hate speech roseby 50%, some words increasing by over 200% across categories like racial and transphobic slurs and antisemitism. Only a few platforms—like LinkedIn and TikTok—still retain centralized moderation teams with clear policies against extremism and hate. In 2022, Facebook handed over private messages from a teen facing abortion charges in Nebraska, raising serious concerns about digital privacy and surveillance abuse. During the 2024 primary season, NBC News reported that Democratic organizers and Black-led campaigns were throttled or blocked from boosting content. ALGORITHMIC BIAS AND INFORMATION MANIPULATION Search and recommendation engines on platforms like YouTube, X, and Instagram increasingly prioritize sensationalism and ideological bias—often pushing users toward conspiratorial or racist content. Civil rights groups have flagged this as algorithmic redlining. WARNING A SURGE IN RIGHT-WING EXTREMIST LANGUAGE Following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022, researchers documented a spike in hate speech and far-right rhetoric. Anti-Black, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-immigrant posts surged, as verified by groups like the Center for Countering Digital Hate. WARNING THE SILENCING OF PROGRESSIVE ACCOUNTS Progressive users and civil rights organizations have reported unexplained account suspensions, shadow banning, and follower purges. WARNING GROWING SURVEILLANCE AND POLICE COOPERATION Even as they fail to moderate hate, platforms continue to cooperate with law enforcement, often disproportionately targeting communities of color. In many cases, police departments request user data with little oversight. WARNING SAFETY TEAM ROLLBACKS Companies like Meta, Twitter/X and YouTube slashed or eliminated their Trust & Safety teams under the guise of cost-cutting or “free speech.” The result has been a dramatic drop in moderation of harmful content. WARNING A 2022 Mozilla study showed that YouTube’s algorithm pushed white nationalist content even to users who had never expressed interest in politics. 13 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE V A NEW RESISTANCE 12https://lambdalegal.org/case/national-urban-league-v-trump/ Americans, led by the civil rights community, are not going silently into the dark. In the wake of a flurry of executive orders that crossed legal boundaries, state attorney generals, governors, and civil rights groups launched lawsuits from coast to coast challenging blatant and dangerous overreaches of the executive branch. In March of this year, the National Urban League, the NAACP Legal Defense Funds, and Lambda Legal sued the Trump administration, 12 challenging three anti-equity executive orders from President Trump related to diversity, equity, inclusion accessibility. Along with co-plaintiffs, the National Fair Housing Alliance and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago claim these orders will severely limit the organizations’ ability to provide critical social and health services such as HIV treatment, fair housing, Calling out executive defiance Abrego Garcia v. Noem In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis criticized the Trump administration for failing to comply with court orders regarding the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia: “Defendants have sought refuge behind vague and unsubstantiated assertions of privilege, using them as a shield to obstruct discovery and evade compliance with this Court’s orders.” Fighting violations of the First Amendment & due process Mahdawi v. Trump United States green card holder and Pro-Palestine supporter Mohsen Mahdawi was detained by DHS on April 14, 2025. Justice Crawford ordered his release on April 30, stating: “Legal residents—not charged with crimes or misconduct— are being arrested and threatened with deportation for stating their views on the political issues of the day.” “ For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” –Chief Justice John Roberts Source: https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/03/chief-justice-rebukes-trumps-call-for-judicial-impeachment/ 14 2025 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA® State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under Attackequal employment opportunities, affordable credit, civil rights protections, and many others. This would harm countless people across the United States, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people living with HIV. State Attorney Generals have also sued the administration for attempting to overhaul election rules, defunding the National Institute of Health,13 and federal agency closures that threaten funding for public education, housing, and civil rights. 14 13https://www.science.org/content/article/states-sue-trump-administration-over-nih-cuts 14https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/voting-rights-groups-challenge-trumps-recent-executive-order 15https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/10/roberts-trump-impeachment-judges-00131452 In a rare signal of judiciary resistance, Chief Justice John Roberts also rebuked 15 the President for calling for the impeachment of the judge who ruled against his deportation plans. Roberts also sided with liberal justices against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training funds. As the resistance continues to grow, the National Urban League is tracking it in real time here. Resisting assaults on science & medicine Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Kennedy Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health Coalitions of state attorneys general as well as multiple academic institutions have filed several lawsuits to challenge new NIH policies that threaten medical research by terminating existing research grants and severely capping reimbursements for future grants. Protecting students’ rights Jane Doe 1 v. Bondi (N.D. Georgia) Student visa holders assert that ICE terminated their system records, thereby ending their visa status. This case is one of over 100 lawsuits of its kind against the administration. Defending civil rights & education NAACP v. U.S.A. NAACP v. U.S. Department of Education The NAACP has challenged attempts by the Trump administration to dismantle or subvert the Department of Education and defund schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or programs that teach about systemic racism. Challenging attacks on equity National Urban League v. Trump The National Urban League sued the Trump administration to challenge executive orders to terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as well as “equity-related” grants and contracts. MAP OF RESISTANCE Cases filed in U.S. District Courts (number represented by size of red dot) 247 total cases as of May 23, 2025 States involved in cases as plaintiffs Source: Just Security https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges- trump-administration/ 15 NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE VI HOW THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IS A LEADER IN THE RESISTANCE Since 1910, the National Urban League has worked toward creating an America where Black Americans and other people of color can have economic power, self- reliance, and civil rights. In the early 20th century, the Urban League movement emerged as a critical force during the Great Migration, helping Black families transition from the rural South to urban centers in the North. Under the visionary leadership of Eugene Kinkle Jones, one of its founding executive secretaries, the League forged groundbreaking partnerships with businesses to open doors for Black workers in industrial sectors and pioneered vocational training programs to build economic resilience. Jones also positioned the League as a trusted advisor to the federal government, meeting with presidents from Woodrow Wilson through Franklin D. Roosevelt to advocate for fair employment and anti- discrimination policies. His lobbying helped secure Black workers’ inclusion in New Deal programs during the Great Depression. 16 2025 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA® State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under AttackIn the 1940s, the League alongside A. Philip Randolph, who, though more widely known for leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, pushed for the establishment of the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) and President Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802—the first major federal action to prohibit discrimination in defense industries and government employment. 16 Our work has and continues to reach the lives of millions and influence policies that change the face of America. Resistance to racism and tyranny is part of our DNA, today is no different. In the 2020s, we have risen to meet the moment. Immediately following the murder of George Floyd, the League established the Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives (EJSI) division, a bold step to formalize its commitment to systemic reform. Through EJSI, the League launched its groundbreaking 21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust 17 framework, which has shaped policy advocacy from Capitol Hill to city 16https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-8802 17https://nul.org/index.php/21-pillars 18https://nul.org/basic-page/urban-expungement-program 19https://nul.org/news/national-urban-league-convenes-leading-civil-rights-economic-justice-and-policy-organizations 20 https://nul.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025_04_09_APP_Fair_Budget_Coalition-Letter_to_Congressional_Leadership_FINAL.pdf 21https://nul.quorum.us/campaign/FairBudget/ 22https://nul.org/event/demand-diversity-roundtable halls nationwide. These efforts include convening affiliates and grassroots partners to advance local policing reforms, drafting legislation, and training thousands of community members in advocacy and voter mobilization. Recognizing that justice extends beyond policing, the League has also been a fierce advocate for economic equity. Under the Empowerment 2.0 strategy and its “D3” framework— Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty—the League has amplified national campaigns, such as the Urban Expungement Program, 18 which has already helped more than 1,500 justice-impacted individuals in Ohio alone, breaking barriers to employment, housing, and education. In the face of this new administration and the rollout of Project 2025, we are mobilizing again. To ensure that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget centers fairness, opportunity, and economic security for all Americans, the Urban League launched the Fair Budget Coalition, 19 a new alliance of civil rights leaders, economic justice advocates, and policy experts. The coalition sent a letter to Congressional leadership 20 outlining its vision for a just and inclusive federal budget, requested meetings with key lawmakers, and initiated a grassroots campaign21 to mobilize local leaders and community voices to support a fair budget that reflects the nation’s core values. In the courtroom, the League has led high-profile legal challenges against the federal government’s anti-equity executive orders, standing alongside partners like Lambda Legal and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to protect critical services and civil rights protections under assault. Through the Demand Diversity Roundtable, 22 the League has also convened cross-sector civil rights leaders to fortify the national defense of DEI and ensure long-term strategies are in place to withstand political headwinds. In this new era of retrenchment and backlash, the National Urban League is more than a participant in the resistance—it is a leader, architecting a path forward where justice, equity, and opportunity are not just aspirations but guaranteed rights for all Americans. Eugene Kinkle Jones A. Philip Randolph Organizations United in Resistance NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 17 VII 23 https://nul.org/state-of-black-america 24 https://nul.org/state-of-black-america 25https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekratz/2024/12/29/history-of-dei-why-it-matters-for-the-future/ 26 https://democratic-erosion.org/2025/02/14/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-how-does-this-affect-democracy/ HOW DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROTECTS AND ADVANCES DEMOCRATIC IDEALS The Constitution, the line “Liberty and Justice for All,” and America’s core values all have one thing in common: the promise of equality for all Americans. Yet, since the founding of our nation, that promise has been consistently broken for Black Americans. After centuries of inhumane bondage, the legacies of slavery continue to haunt every corner of American life—embedding themselves in our economy, justice system, education, and workplaces through institutionalized racism. 23 Across generations, civil rights leaders have fought to close these gaps, but progress has rarely been linear. With each victory—such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875—there came setbacks, like the Supreme Court’s 1883 dismantling of civil rights protections and the rise of Jim Crow. This cyclical struggle continued until the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, 24 which President Lyndon B. Johnson signed to outlaw discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations, fundamentally reshaping American life. Importantly, this legislation did more than expand rights in theory—it laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Title VII of the Civil Rights Act formalized anti-discrimination policies in the workplace, catalyzing affirmative action and DEI frameworks designed to actively dismantle systemic barriers. 25 While often framed as tools for fairness in workplaces and schools, DEI policies play an essential role in strengthening democracy itself. As explored in research from Brown University’s Democratic Erosion blog, DEI is not only about representation—it also deepens civic participation by ensuring historically excluded groups have pathways to engage fully in democratic processes. 26 This includes creating safe, equitable spaces where individuals can develop the knowledge and confidence to participate in public life—from voting to advocacy and leadership. For instance, equitable education and literacy—core components of DEI—are fundamental to an informed electorate. As the National Urban League’s 2024 State of Black America report underscores, although progress has been made 71% of those who registered online turned out to vote compared with 48 percent and 52 percent of those registering by mail or through a state agency, respectively. Center for American Progress 914,000 additional voters could have participated in the 2016 US elections, based on Virginia’s experience restoring the rights of 25,000 formerly incarcerated people. Center for American Progress 9% increase in young voter participation as a result of Colorado’s vote-at- home plus vote centers policy. Center for American Progress 5% increase in voter participation on average, in states that implement same day voter registration. Center for American Progress 18 2025 STATE OF BLACK AMERICA® State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under Attacksince the desegregation of schools (via Title IV of the Civil Rights Act), disparities remain. Research consistently shows 27 that equitable education and literacy not only produce informed voters but also cultivate resilience against authoritarianism by empowering citizens to challenge disinformation and participate meaningfully in governance. Still, access to quality education ensures that citizens have the tools to understand and shape policy, resist disinformation, and hold leaders accountable. 28 Pipeline programs, another critical feature of DEI, are equally transformative. By intentionally developing pathways from underserved communities into politics, civil service, and leadership roles across industries, these initiatives broaden the range of voices influencing decisions that impact all Americans. For example, civic internship initiatives, mentoring programs, and early-career fellowships ensure that a new generation of leaders reflects the diversity of America’s population. As the Forbes article highlights, this approach “cultivates long-term inclusion by not just diversifying who is present but also who holds power.” 29 Moreover, the expansion of DEI in government agencies and educational institutions also builds trust in democratic institutions. When people see themselves represented in the decision-making bodies that govern their lives—and when they feel their voices matter—they are more likely to participate in elections, public hearings, and civic activism. This reinforces a core tenet of democracy: government by and for the people. In short, DEI policies don’t just level the playing field in education and employment; they fortify democracy itself. By expanding opportunities, ensuring equitable access to information, and creating leadership pipelines, DEI helps guarantee that every American—not just the privileged few— can contribute to the nation’s future. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a monumental leap forward, but its true promise is realized when we continue to expand equity and inclusion—not only as moral imperatives but as pillars of a thriving, resilient democracy. 27https://democratic-erosion.org/2025/02/14/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-how-does-this-affect-democracy/ 28https://democratic-erosion.org/2025/02/14/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-how-does-this-affect-democracy/ 29https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekratz/2024/12/29/history-of-dei-why-it-matters-for-the-future/ Diverse Voter Engagement Strategies and Increases in Outreach • Automatic voter registration • Same-day voter registration • Preregistration • Online registration • Early voting • No-excuse absentee voting • Vote-at-home with vote centers • Restore rights for formerly incarcerated people • Strengthen civics education in schools • Invest in integrated voter engagement and outreach • Ranked choice voting Source: Center for American Progress https://www.americanprogress.org/article/increasing-voter-participation-america/ 4.7% increase in youth voting participation when preregistration laws were implemented in Florida. Center for American Progress 17.2% increase in participation among Muslim American voters from 2012 to 2016, after invested in by integrated voter engagement and outreach group Emgage. Center for American Progress 22 million registered voters could be added to state voter rolls in just the first year if every state implemented automatic voter registration. Center for American Progress 81% of people surveyed in 2023 support using ranked choice voting in their area. More than half of those surveyed were people of color. Fair Vote NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 19Next >