Civil Rights
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ACLU Sues Largest U.S. Immigration Detention Center Alleging Abuse and Medical Neglect
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed suit against Camp East Montana, alleging beatings, poor medical care and solitary confinement. Three deaths have occurred at the facility since it opened nine months ago.
Washington ExaminerJustice Department to Review Letter on Washington Nationals and Pitcher
The Justice Department said it received a letter from Rep. Lauren Boebert and will evaluate next steps regarding allegations involving the Washington Nationals. The team denied the claims and said an employee's recorded comments do not reflect its policies.
theyeshivaworld.comFormer San Diego Sheriff's Deputy Gets 12 Years for Shooting Unarmed Fleeing Man
Aaron Richard Russell was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for violating the civil rights of Nicholas Bils by shooting the unarmed 36-year-old four times in the back as he ran from authorities. The conviction and sentence establish federal accountability for the use of de…
ReasonFederal Judge Rejects DHS Warrant Requests in Church Protest Probe
A magistrate judge twice denied search warrants sought by a DHS agent for YouTube and iPhone records tied to former CNN anchor Don Lemon and other defendants. The government later withdrew the applications after the judge found no probable cause.
stltoday.comMississippi Prosecutor Removed Most Black Jurors in 2004 Murder Trial
A Mississippi prosecutor removed nearly all Black prospective jurors from a murder trial. The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the action violated constitutional protections against racial discrimination in jury selection.
jpost.comJustice Department Sues UCLA Over Alleged Discrimination Against Jewish and Israeli Students
The lawsuit seeks repayment of federal grants and changes to campus procedures. It alleges that UCLA failed to stop harassment of Jewish and Israeli students during campus protests in 2024.
nbcnews.comNAACP Launches Boycott Campaign Over Redistricting in Southern States
The NAACP has started a campaign urging Black athletes, fans, and donors to boycott college football programs in several southern states. The effort targets states that adjusted congressional maps after recent Supreme Court rulings.
foxnews.comSupreme Court Rejects Police Officer's Appeal in 2020 Excessive Force Case
The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Grand Rapids police officer Phillip Reinink. The case stems from a May 2020 protest incident and will proceed in lower courts.
catholicnewsagency.comSouthern Poverty Law Center Seeks Dismissal of Federal Fraud Indictment
The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a motion Tuesday asking a federal judge to dismiss an 11-count indictment charging the nonprofit with wire fraud and bank fraud. The filing argues the prosecution amounts to vindictive action tied to public statements by President Trump and a…
bbc.co.ukImmigration groups cite ICE activity at 2026 World Cup matches
Advocacy groups have gathered outside FIFA offices to request limits on immigration enforcement at U.S. venues. Haitian communities in several states have expressed worry about attending matches.
nypost.comCommentary Roundup Covers Colbert Exit, Police Incident, Union Spending, Miami Assimilation, and Civil-Rights Figure
A New York Post compilation published May 25, 2026, presents five opinion pieces on recent events. The pieces address Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show broadcast, a Southampton arrest, teachers-union finances, Hispanic assimilation metrics in Miami, and the death of Robert L. Woo…
nbcnews.comLetters criticize NAACP call for athletes to avoid southern universities
Readers responded to an NAACP effort urging Black athletes to boycott universities in southern states that recently redistricted. Several letters argued the recommendation would limit educational opportunities for students.
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investopedia.comWhite House Proposes Halving Civil Rights Office While Secretary Seeks More Lawyers
The White House has proposed cutting the Education Department's civil rights office in half. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has stated she wants to hire additional civil rights lawyers.
Washington ExaminerJustice Department Expands South Florida Team in Trump Civil Rights Inquiry
The Justice Department is adding prosecutors to a new Criminal Civil Rights Section in the Southern District of Florida. The section is examining whether actions by officials in prior administrations violated President Trump's civil rights.
apnews.comUniversity of Michigan student files lawsuit alleging surveillance over Gaza protests
A University of Michigan student and the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan chapter plan to file a federal lawsuit on Thursday alleging the university conducted undercover surveillance on him in 2024 and 2025. The suit claims the university and private investigators v…
citizen.co.zaJustice Department Forms Antisemitism Advisory Committee and Plans National Tour
The U.S. Department of Justice announced an Antisemitism Advisory Committee to advise the Attorney General on rising antisemitism. The department also said it will conduct a nationwide tour to strengthen local responses.
Usa TodayTrump Administration to End Federal Collection of Corporate Workforce Diversity Data
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plans to stop requiring major employers to submit annual EEO-1 reports that track employee race and gender. The move follows the Trump administration's broader effort to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
focustaiwan.twNon-Government Groups Conducted Undercover Operations Against American Fascists
Non-government organizations ran undercover operations against American fascists before the Southern Poverty Law Center existed. Steven J. Ross documents one such operation in his book The Secret War Against Hate.
news.google.comNAACP Launches Campaign Urging Black Athletes to Boycott Southern College Sports
The NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus called on Black athletes, fans and alumni to withhold support from public universities in eight Southern states over redistricting moves they say limit Black voting representation.
thehindu.comHarvard Asks Federal Judge to Dismiss Trump Administration Lawsuit
Harvard filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration over the university's handling of antisemitism allegations on campus. The motion was filed earlier this year.
news18.comSupreme Court Orders Lower Courts to Reconsider Two Voting Rights Act Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court directed lower courts to reexamine rulings in Mississippi and North Dakota redistricting cases. The orders follow the court's April 29 decision limiting the use of race in drawing congressional districts.
ksl.comThousands Rally in Montgomery to Defend Black Voting Rights
Civil rights groups gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday to protest redistricting plans that could reduce Black representation in Congress. Organizers said the event aimed to protect voting access in the state where the modern Civil Rights Movement began.
manilatimes.netJustice Department Accuses Yale and UCLA Medical Schools of Race-Based Admissions
The Justice Department on Thursday accused Yale School of Medicine of violating anti-discrimination laws by using racial proxies in admissions after the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious policies. Similar findings were issued last week for UCLA's David Geffen Schoo…
Le MondeJustice Department Accuses Yale Medical School of Racial Discrimination in Admissions
The Justice Department sent a letter to Yale School of Medicine alleging illegal discrimination against white and Asian applicants in favor of Black and Hispanic students with comparable test scores and grades. The letter follows a similar action against UCLA medical school and c…
yahoo.comFamilies of Men Killed or Injured by Mississippi Law Enforcement Seek Public Records
Families of men killed or beaten by Mississippi officers years ago say officials have withheld information about the incidents. The families are urging officials to stop blocking access to public records. Mississippi Today reported that the disputes have continued for years witho…
citizen.co.zaJustice Department Forms Unit to Enforce Second Amendment Rights in Civil Rights Division
The Justice Department's civil rights division has formed a new special unit focused on investigating violations of gun rights. The unit is actively suing cities and states over gun control laws. NPR reported the development on May 14, 2026.
winnipegfreepress.comJustice Department Finds Yale Medical School Discriminated by Race in Admissions
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division concluded a year-long investigation that determined Yale School of Medicine violated federal law by discriminating on the basis of race in its admissions process. The finding requires the university to overhaul its practices and open…
foxnews.comFormer South Carolina Police Officer Convicted in 2015 Walter Scott Killing Eligible for Early Release
Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who fatally shot Walter Scott in 2015, could be released early from prison to a halfway house under the First Step Act. The bipartisan criminal justice reform law allows certain inmates to serve part of their sentence in su…
pbs.orgMemphis Residents Sue Trump Administration Over Memphis Safe Task Force Operations
Four Memphis residents filed a federal lawsuit on May 13, 2026, accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against individuals who filmed law enforcement activities. The suit targets the Memphis Safe Task Force, launched in September 2025 at the invitation of Governor Bill…
Washington ExaminerBakari Sellers and Kevin O’Leary Spar on CNN After Supreme Court Allows Alabama to Redraw Congressional Map
A panel discussion on the Supreme Court decision allowing Alabama to redraw its congressional map escalated into a heated exchange Monday night on CNN’s NewsNight With Abby Phillip. CNN commentator Bakari Sellers told investor Kevin O’Leary “Don’t be a d***” while invoking his fa…
jta.orgAbraham Foxman, Longtime Anti-Defamation League Director, Dies at 86
Abraham H. Foxman, who led the Anti-Defamation League for nearly 30 years, died at age 86. The organization announced his death on Sunday but provided no details on the time or place. Foxman built the ADL into a major voice against antisemitism and prejudice while counseling worl…
fortune.comAbraham H. Foxman, Longtime Anti-Defamation League Director, Dies at 86
Abraham H. Foxman, who served as national director of the Anti-Defamation League for nearly 30 years, died at age 86. A Holocaust survivor, he built the organization into a major voice against antisemitism and prejudice while counseling world leaders. The ADL announced his death…
nypost.comFormer Catahoula Prison Warden and Supervisors Indicted for Shocking 13 Handcuffed Inmates With Riot Shield
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana indicted the former warden, assistant warden and three supervisors at the Catahoula Correctional Center for abusing 13 handcuffed prisoners with an electric riot shield and directing staff to file false reports. The charge…
eonline.comSouthern Poverty Law Center Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges Over Informant Payments
The civil-rights group appeared in federal court in Montgomery, Alabama, on Thursday to deny charges that it defrauded donors by secretly paying more than $3 million to informants inside white supremacist organizations from 2014 to 2023. Interim CEO Bryan Fair called the indictme…
New York PostJustice Department Investigates Fairfax County Prosecutor Steve Descano Over Immigration Policies
The DOJ notified Steve Descano on Wednesday that it is examining whether his office's plea bargaining, charging and sentencing practices violate civil rights laws by considering immigration consequences. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the probe will determine if…
abcnews.go.comImmigration Judge Sues DOJ After Being Denied Permanent Appointment Following Probationary Period
Kyra Lilien filed a 14-page lawsuit against the Department of Justice and acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, alleging her non-retention was due to her status as a registered Democrat, affiliations with immigrant-rights groups, gender, age and ethnic associations. Lilien r…
The Washington PostJustice Department Opens Civil Rights Investigation Into Virginia Prosecutor
The Justice Department has launched a civil rights probe into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. The prosecutor has faced criticism from Republicans regarding his office’s handling of cases involving immigrant defendants. The investigation marks a formal federa…
nypost.comJustice Department Opens Probe Into Fairfax County Prosecutor Steve Descano
The Justice Department notified Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano on May 6 2026 that it has launched a federal civil-rights investigation into his office’s plea bargaining charging decisions and sentencing policy. The probe will determine whether the office dis…
manilatimes.netJustice Department Finds UCLA Medical School Discriminated by Race in Admissions
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division completed a year-long investigation into admissions policies at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The determination requires the school to eliminate race as a factor in selecting students to comply with Title VI of the Civ…
The GuardianEducation Department Opens Investigation Into Smith College Admissions
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a civil rights investigation into Smith College, alleging that its policy of admitting transgender women violates Title IX by allowing 'biological males' into women's spaces. The probe stems from a complaint by a conservative group an…
america.cgtn.comU.S. Education Department Opens Title IX Investigation Into Smith College Admissions Policy
The U.S. Department of Education launched a probe on Monday into Smith College, examining if its policy of admitting transgender women violates Title IX. The investigation stems from a June 2025 complaint and argues the law's single-sex exception applies only to biological sex. S…
yahoo.comJustice Department Sues Denver Over Semi-Automatic Weapons Ban
The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Denver, alleging its ban on semi-automatic weapons violates the Second Amendment. The suit seeks to halt enforcement of the ordinance, which restricts firearms with magazines over 15 rounds. City officials reje…
Fox NewsU.S. Education Department Launches Investigation into NYC Public Schools Over Pro-Palestinian Seminars
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has launched an investigation into New York City Public Schools following complaints about pro-Palestinian seminars taught to young children. The probe focuses on allegations that educators labeled Zionists as genocidal whit…
The GuardianSupreme Court Rules on Race in Congressional Redistricting
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that race can only be considered in drawing congressional districts if present-day intentional racial discrimination is proven. The decision rejected efforts to remedy past racism in redistricting, prompting states to redraw ma…
The New YorkerSupreme Court Rules Section 2 of Voting Rights Act Requires Proof of Discriminatory Intent in Louisiana Case
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 29, 2026, in the Callais case, requiring proof of intentional racial disadvantage for Section 2 claims and striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. The decision narrows protections for majority-minority di…
jurist.orgDOJ Indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 Counts of Wire Fraud and Money Laundering
The U.S. Justice Department announced fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging it defrauded donors by using funds to pay informants in white supremacist groups. The 11-count indictment includes wire fraud and money laundering accusations. SPLC officials den…
king5.comSupreme Court Limits Race Considerations in Redistricting; Southern States Redraw Maps
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that race can only be considered in drawing congressional districts if present-day intentional discrimination is proven, effectively weakening the Voting Rights Act. Southern states including Louisiana and Alabama quickly moved…
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur / Wikimedia (Public domain)Justice Department Investigates 36 Illinois Schools on Gender Ideology
The Justice Department opened probes into 36 public school districts in Illinois to check for inclusion of sexual orientation and gender ideology content in pre-K-12 classes. The investigations could lead to federal enforcement actions if violations of civil rights laws are found…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSupreme Court Rules 6-3 Against Louisiana Congressional Map
The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision on April 29, 2026, ruling Louisiana's congressional map violated the Constitution by relying too heavily on race. The ruling weakens protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Civil rights groups criticized the decision, while th…
The New YorkerStates Enact New Voting Laws Following Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Decision
Several southern states are convening special legislative sessions to redraw congressional districts following a Supreme Court ruling that limits the use of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision requires plaintiffs to prove intentional racial discrimination in map-draw…
The TimesSupreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map for including an additional majority-Black district, deeming it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in a 6-3 decision. This ruling limits the scope of Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and prompted Louisian…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSupreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map that created two majority-Black districts, ruling it violated the Constitution by prioritizing race over other factors. The 6-3 decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, allows states to consider partisan advantag…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSupreme Court Rules in Louisiana v. Callais Voting Rights Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to limit the application of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it harder to challenge racially discriminatory voting maps based on impact alone. The 6-3 decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, requires proof of discriminatory intent and ov…
The Free PressSupreme Court Invalidates Louisiana Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in a 6-3 decision, adjusting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to focus on intentional discrimination. The ruling has prompted states to consider redrawing maps ahead of mi…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewRep. Derek Tran Meets CAIR Leaders on Muslim Advocacy Day
Democratic Rep. Derek Tran met with leaders from the Council on American-Islamic Relations during National Muslim Advocacy Day. The event drew attention due to CAIR's past designations as a terrorist organization by Texas and Florida. Tran highlighted discussions on combating Isl…
thesouthafrican.comHUD Proposes Biological Sex Rules for Shelter Access
The Department of Housing and Urban Development released a proposed rule on April 28, 2026, to revise its equal access regulations by replacing references to gender identity with biological sex. This shift would allow single-sex facilities in HUD programs to require evidence of a…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewMichigan Secretary of State Benson Served on SPLC Board During Period of Alleged Payments to Informants
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic candidate for governor, served on the Southern Poverty Law Center's board from 2014 to 2019. This period overlapped with alleged payments by the organization to informants in groups it labeled extremist, according to a fede…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewLeo Terrell Leads Federal Task Force on Antisemitism Threats
Leo Terrell, senior counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, discussed his role in addressing antisemitism. He stated that fighting antisemitism is personal to him and described leading a task force targeting threats to the Jewish community. The discussion included references t…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewUK Groups Condemn Pro-Palestine Activists' Convictions
A coalition of British civil society organizations has criticized the convictions of two pro-Palestine activists for breaching protest guidelines. The groups stated that the rulings reflect restrictions on protest rights. The activists, Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham, plan to appeal…
upi.comRep. Jim Clyburn Announces Bid for 18th Term Amid Broader Congressional Races and Leadership Changes
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, announced his bid for an 18th term amid ongoing civil rights discussions. In Georgia, Republicans vie for the 9th District seat while Democrats mourn Rep. David Scott's death. House Republicans position for Armed Services Committe…