50 years later, the struggle for racial justice continues. Join the fight!

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for "jobs, justice, and freedom” where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. Across the country, people are honoring this powerful moment in history and recognizing that although we have made great advances in the struggle for racial justice, the “Dream” has not yet been fulfilled. The Lawyers’ Committee will continue to fight for this “Dream”, but we will need increased resources and support from people like you that believe in our shared mission of equal justice. Please consider making a donation today in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and the continued struggle for racial justice.

Unfortunately, 50 years later significant barriers to racial justice remain and in the aftermath of the Shelby Supreme Court decision a wave of voter suppression efforts which threaten to disenfranchise millions of minorities are already underway. On June 25, 2013, in a 5-4 ruling onShelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a devastating setback for civil rights in America. The Court ruled that the coverage formula in Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional, essentially paralyzing the federal review (preclearance) of changes to voting procedures under Section 5 until Congress takes action. The power of Section 5 was that it required those 15 states with a history of discrimination that were fully or partially covered by the law to prove that any proposed changes to current voting procedures were not discriminatory before they were allowed to take effect. Some of the formerly covered states, such as Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas, have announced plans to implement voting procedures likely to have a discriminatory impact on millions of minority voters. Donate now to help us fight back against this new wave of threats.

The Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder has threatened to unravel some of the critical work that the Lawyers' Committee has done in the past fifty years, thus requiring us to fight harder than ever to protect the right to vote for all. The Lawyers’ Committee will be implementing a proactive agenda to block and raise awareness of discriminatory voting changes and, when necessary, take litigation action against states implementing such changes. All of these activities will require drastically expanded resources for our work. Please join the fight by making your contribution today. Every dollar makes a difference.

As always, thank you for your support of our shared mission of securing equal justice for all. It is only with the support of individuals like you that we are able to be a key player in the fight for civil rights. We will continue to work towards fulfilling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Dream” and the ideals that hundreds of thousands of Americans marched for, fifty years ago on this day.

Barbara R. Arnwine
President & Executive Director
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Visit the Lawyers' Committee's Facebook Page

Wednesday, August 28, 1963 I was among thousands of people marching for justice, jobs, civil rights and equal opportunity. I boarded a train in downtown Chicago, Illinois Tuesday night August 27th. On the overnight trip I was questioned by whites on the train who wanted to know why THE MARCH was necessary? I was 1 yr out of high school and lived in a country where people dictated where some people could live, go to school, or what type of jobs they would be allowed to hold. I wondered from what planet this person was from. Then it occurred to me that he was among the priviledged white class who hadn't a clue how the rest of his fellow countrymen lived. My reply was unequivocal..I march because it was the right thing to do..I marched because this country didn't hear my father when he wanted to know why he couldn't live where he wanted, I march because you wouldn't listen to my grandfather or grandmother they couldn't understand why certain they could hold only certain jobs..so I'm going to the seat of government to ask on their behalf. But this time I expect results! When I told my boss that I would not be in work that Wednesday because I was going to D.C. to march, he told me that I wouldn't have a job when I got back. Well, I went, I marched, and I was a witness to many who spoke there, including the, I have a Dream speech given by MLKJr. When I returned home, I clocked into work without any problems from anybody. If was as if nothing happened. But by the end of the month I was given a raise, moved from the stock room into an office filing records...(Maybe I required closer surveillance). I don't know. But I do know that future generations must learn to do the same. The same tactics are used today to threaten the loss of jobs if workers speak out, want to unionize or criticize. This system has made them afraid to do the right thing. Orwell said it best, " "The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." You have to do the right thing whenever it is the time to do so...And also you must support those who do. Elders must continue to encourage the young to educate themselves..Volunteer at colleges and universities to share your experiences, to advise and mentor. The system seems to encourage distance but close this divide. Our young need us to show them how to continue the fight.

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June E. Porter August 29, 2013 at 11:30pm

Wednesday, August 28, 1963 I was among thousands of people marching for justice, jobs, civil rights and equal opportunity. I boarded a train in downtown Chicago, Illinois Tuesday night August 27th. On the overnight trip I was questioned by whites on the train who wanted to know why THE MARCH was necessary? I was 1 yr out of high school and lived in a country where people dictated where some people could live, go to school, or what type of jobs they would be allowed to hold. I wondered from what planet this person was from. Then it occurred to me that he was among the priviledged white class who hadn't a clue how the rest of his fellow countrymen lived. My reply was unequivocal..I march because it was the right thing to do..I marched because this country didn't hear my father when he wanted to know why he couldn't live where he wanted, I march because you wouldn't listen to my grandfather or grandmother they couldn't understand why certain they could hold only certain jobs..so I'm going to the seat of government to ask on their behalf. But this time I expect results! When I told my boss that I would not be in work that Wednesday because I was going to D.C. to march, he told me that I wouldn't have a job when I got back. Well, I went, I marched, and I was a witness to many who spoke there, including the, I have a Dream speech given by MLKJr. When I returned home, I clocked into work without any problems from anybody. If was as if nothing happened. But by the end of the month I was given a raise, moved from the stock room into an office filing records...(Maybe I required closer surveillance). I don't know. But I do know that future generations must learn to do the same. The same tactics are used today to threaten the loss of jobs if workers speak out, want to unionize or criticize. This system has made them afraid to do the right thing. Orwell said it best, " "The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." You have to do the right thing whenever it is the time to do so...And also you must support those who do. Elders must continue to encourage the young to educate themselves..Volunteer at colleges and universities to share your experiences, to advise and mentor. The system seems to encourage distance but close this divide. Our young need us to show them how to continue the fight.

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