In March, the President launched multiple sweeping broadsides aimed at dismantling our nation’s civil rights laws and protections. Among them:
A March 20 executive order reducing the Education Department to a shell while decimating the Department's Office for Civil Rights. These devastating actions have left many parents across the country worrying, "Who will take care of my child with special needs? Who will ensure equal access to education for all children?"
A March 21 directive blasting lawyers who work on civil rights and immigrants' rights, threatening them with sanctions. This action is a chilling attack on the entire legal profession, aimed at silencing those lawyers who seek to hold government officials accountable for violating people's rights.
Since our creation in 1968, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs has gone to court to fight for the civil rights of low-income families and communities. We have done so regardless of who occupies the White House.
And we shall continue to do so.
We remain undeterred in our commitment to defend our immigrant neighbors, to safeguard civil rights for all, and to uphold the rule of law in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, and across the country.
Thank you for standing with us as we fight for our country's future.
Together for Justice,
Joanne Lin Executive Director
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs WLC
Judge Blocks Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bid to End Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans
On March 31 a federal judge in San Francisco issued an order blocking DHS’s unlawful termination of TPS for Venezuela. He found that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s unlawful TPS termination would inflict irreparable harm on 350,000 Venezuelans, and threaten the health and safety of communities across the country. The judge prevented the TPS termination from taking effect nationwide. As a result, 350,000 Venezuelans will maintain their TPS status, including work authorization and relief from deportation, while the lawsuit proceeds.
Although WLC is not involved in the California litigation, we did file a similar lawsuit on February 20 in federal district court in Maryland, and sought emergency relief on behalf of 350,000 Venezuelans across the country. In light of the San Francisco court order, the Maryland judge on April 1 denied the WLC motion as moot. Our litigation, brought on behalf of CASA and Make the Road in New York, will proceed in court.
Court Rejects Federal Government’s Bid to Dismiss Claims over Federal Officers’ 2020 Attack on Civil Rights Demonstrators in Lafayette Square
On March 14 the federal district court in Washington DC denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss claims over the actions of Park Police, Secret Service, and other federal officers who beat and gassed peaceful civil rights demonstrators at Lafayette Square in June 2020.The court also certified a class action against D.C. police officers who fired tear gas at protesters as they fled.
The plaintiffs, represented by WLC and co-counsel, include Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters. The court held that the plaintiffs’ claims for money damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act could proceed.
WLC Urges House of Representatives to Restore $1.1 Billion to DC
In March 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution that prohibits D.C. from spending $1.1 billion of its own taxpayer dollars for the current fiscal year. Immediately thereafter the Senate passed a separate bill aimed at restoring the $1.1 billion to DC. That bill awaits action from the House of Representatives, which has yet to take up the measure. The DC Mayor has warned that if the House does not restore the funding, DC will be forced to slash public education, housing supports, health care programs, sanitation services, and more. WLC has joined forces with a large coalition of DC groups, calling on the House to immediately restore this critical funding.
WLC and Ropes & Gray LLP brought a lawsuit on behalf of J.H., an elementary school student with diabetes. The suit alleged that DC did not have consistent school nurses at J.H.’s school, failed to provide trained staff to administer critical medications, and denied J.H. equal access to educational opportunities. In 2024 the pro bono team successfully settled the case.
We’re proud to honor the Ropes & Gray team, for outstanding achievement in advancing disability rights and educational equity!
Join us May 28 at the JW Marriott for the Branton Awards Luncheon as we celebrate Ropes & Gray and other firms for outstanding pro bono service.
Join us for a powerful celebration of courage, justice, and civil rights.
Wiley Branton Awards Luncheon
Wednesday, May 28 · JW Marriott, Washington, DC
Networking Reception: 11:00 a.m. | Program & Lunch: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
We’re honored to present the 2025 Branton Award to Bryan Stevenson, founder and director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who has helped to free over 140 wrongly condemned death row prisoners and has changed the face of racial justice across the U.S. His acceptance speech will be a moment of inspiration you won’t want to miss.
We’ll also recognize the Virginia NAACP and courageous Shenandoah County students and families for their fight against racial injustice—plus celebrate law firms making a real impact through pro bono work.
Let’s come together as a community, remembering why we went to law school and renewing our collective commitment to civil rights.
Branton individual ticket registration is open from April 1 to May 9.Register today!
Connor Leydecker is a Gibson Dunn litigator who works with the Antitrust & Competition, Appellate & Constitutional Law, and Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Innovation practice groups.
Connor’s pro bono practice focuses on political asylum, immigration, and litigation counseling for civil and human rights organizations.
Connor graduated from Duke University School of Law, serving on a committee of the Duke Board of Trustees. The Duke Law Faculty recognized his Note with the top award for student scholarly writing.
As a Gibson Associate Trustee, Connor shares, “I give my time and resources to WLC to help defend the societal promises enshrined in law that I cherish most, and which are increasingly under threat. Supporting WLC means fighting for the civil rights of those people who are in greatest need.”
Ariel Derby joined WLC in November 2024 as Development Associate. She spearheads WLC’s Associates Campaign and supports fundraising and donor engagement through data management, event planning, and campaign strategy.
A Tufts University graduate, Ariel previously worked as Marketing and Development Associate for Women Changemakers for Education.
Board Co-Chairs Joseph Davis (Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP) Avis Buchanan (retired) Board of Directors
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic, and social equity for low-income marginalized communities in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and across the country. We partner with individuals and communities facing discrimination and with the legal community to achieve justice. We bring strategic litigation to advance fair housing, disability rights, education equity, workers’ rights, immigrant justice, women’s rights, and criminal legal system reform.
