Members of the Proud Boys, a violent all-male group with ties to white nationalism, attacked and vandalized property of the AME Church because of its congregants’ support for the Black Lives Matter movement. We filed suit to hold the Proud Boys and their leadership accountable. |
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Thomas Heyer, a deaf prisoner at the federal prison in Butner, NC, communicates through American Sign Language. We challenged the Bureau of Prisons' failure to provide him a videophone in order to accommodate for his disability. This month, the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of Mr. Heyer's First Amendment right to a videophone. |
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For years, we have challenged the inhumane treatment of immigrant children at Shenandoah Valley Detention Center. This month the Fourth Circuit ruled that, conditions of detention must address the needs of the child and be guided professional judgment.
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We sued Harford County Police for unlawfully and violently arresting our client, Rodney Coster, after he arrived at the Harford County Detention Center during a mental health crisis. Upon Mr. Coster's arrival, rather than render aid, officers beat and tased. He was unarmed and nonviolent. |
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Dear Friend,
As we move forward from a year unlike any other, we at the Committee are reinvigorated with a sense of hope for a new era of civil rights. More than ever, people and businesses across the country have become invested in creating a more just and equitable world. In addition, with a new incoming administration, we are determined to make the most of this moment and are working each and every day to ensure our clients and communities are made a priority.
We are proud of the work that is already happening at the Committee in 2021 to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, students, people who are incarcerated, low-wage workers, and so many more. Your continued commitment to challenging inequity and injustice is critical for us to meet this moment.
Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year!
Jonathan Smith
Executive Director
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More News
Congratulations to our Board Member, Roy Austin Jr., who was named vice president of civil rights for Facebook where he will oversee the platform’s accountability on racial hatred and discrimination.
Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, was quoted in TIME, the Los Angeles Times, Pro Publica, and GQ on the Capitol Police response during the January 6 th attack.
The Committee signed on to a letter urging the Biden Education Transition Team to issue guidance on English learner proficiency assessments during COVID-19.
Together with a coalition of civil rights groups including Lambda Legal, we filed an amicus brief on the ministerial exception.
Our work on behalf of prisoners seeking compassionate release was highlighted in the Washington Post.
An article in The National Law Journal by associates at Akin Gump highlighted one of our parole case victories.
We signed on to a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris regarding federal school discipline and climate recommendations. |
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Workers' Rights Clinic Schedule
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we temporarily transitioned our Clinic to a telephonic legal advice service.
To schedule an intake, contact (202) 319-1000 ext. 118. For Spanish please call (202) 319-1000 ext. 123.
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