Flight cuts prove what we’ve long known: federal workers are the backbone of essential services that keep America running. For generations, federal employment has provided Black communities with a path to security and stability. But with this shutdown, their futures are on the line.

Denied because of his race. Empowered by HBCUs. Thurgood Marshall turned rejection into revolution, and LDF was born. This Homecoming, we honor the legacy of owning our education. 👑📚 #HBCUHomecoming

Transgender people are not the reason the federal government has been shut down for 37 days. Yet the Trump administration and the Supreme Court are prioritizing policies that put their safety at risk. Regardless of what the court says, we will always be committed to protecting transgender people.

#OTD in 1968, Shirley Chisholm becomes the first Black woman elected to Congress. Brooklyn sent her to Washington — and she brought the fire. Chisholm’s legacy continues to inspire generations of leaders who refuse to be silenced. 🗳️🔥

"Don't judge, that could be you one day" Why would I not vote when SNAP benefits are being cut, health insurance premiums are skyrocketing, and states are trying to shut out voters?

It’s Election Day! Your voice matters every year and in every election. If you haven’t voted yet, now’s the time to show up. Pivotal elections are happening in: • California • New York • New Jersey • Texas • Virginia • And many more states Make sure your voice is heard.

SNAP cuts don’t just hurt families; they starve local and Black communities' economic growth. Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity.

HBCU Homecoming hits different. 🎶🏈💃🏾 Music, football, strolls, and nonstop joy. At Homecoming we recharge our joy and rep our excellence. Every year, every campus, every time. #HBCUPride #HomecomingSeason

Happy Native American Heritage Month! A reminder that Indigenous communities are not relics of the past – their cultures, contributions, and histories continue to shape our society today. This month, and every month, we must commit to protecting their voices and their stories.

BREAKING: a federal court officially blocked Trump’s executive order demanding voters show proof of citizenship. No president can violate the separation of powers to change our elections and disenfranchise eligible voters. Period.

BREAKING: 2 federal judges ruled the Trump administration CANNOT suspend SNAP benefits. The administration MUST spend its emergency reserves to partially fund SNAP — to make sure no one goes hungry in Nov. 42 million Americans can’t wait. We need ACTION. #ProtectSNAP #ReleaseTheFunds #EndTheShutdown

Halloween is a little too real this year...but remember you can still use your voice to stay engaged & vote in upcoming elections!

“While the conviction of former Deputy Sheriff Grayson for second-degree murder is a step towards accountability, it will not bring Sonya Massey back. It also does not lessen the need for the difficult work ahead to prevent more senseless police killings.” - LDF Associate Director-Counsel Todd Cox

🚨 39% of SNAP recipients are kids. That’s 16 million children who could go hungry starting November 1. Congress, this isn’t a game of freeze tag.

This is what accountability looks like 👏🏽 A former sheriff’s deputy was found GUILTY in the killing of Sonya Massey. Police are not above the law, and today’s conviction proves just that. Justice for Sonya Massey & the many other Black lives lost due to police violence – our fight is for you!

🚨 BREAKING: North Carolina just passed an off-cycle congressional map designed to diminish Black voting power. 84% of North Carolinians oppose the legislature’s redistricting push. This move is part of a growing bandwagon of states sidelining Black political influence.

New York’s gang database has never been about keeping New Yorkers safe. It was created to surveil Black & Latinx communities and racially target them. These communities deserve real protection – not a blatantly racist tool that’s only goal is to criminalize them. Abolish gang databases for good!

We got receipts of recognition! Our Thurgood Marshall Institute was nominated for the Community Voice Award at the 5th Annual Anthem Award for their continuous research and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

🏛️ Congress stalled. SNAP stopped. Millions are about to lose food assistance because lawmakers couldn’t do their job. The shutdown froze funding, and now families are left with nothing. November 1 is the cutoff. 📞Call your representatives and demand action. #GovernmentShutdown2025

🚨 DC STAND UP! This Wednesday, show up and speak out! Your communities matter and should not be under attack by ICE and federal law enforcement. 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM 📍 Where: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004 (5th Floor) 📧 RSVP: [email protected]

Just a reminder for those in the back that Black history is American history 365 days a year 😉 This is the last week to grab this iconic shirt from our store: bit.ly/LDFmerch

A white man is suing Seattle for… promoting equity? He claims the city’s Race and Social Justice Initiative discriminates against him. We filed a brief urging the court to shut this down. 📢 Equity isn’t oppression. Inclusion isn’t exclusion. Let’s not twist the law to silence progress.

Happy birthday @officialmlk3.bsky.social 🎉 With his deep commitment to nonviolence and racial equality, King III carries the same principles that have inspired generations to build a more just and peaceful world. We honor his civil rights work and celebrate his legacy today!

📅 Day 22 of the shutdown. Congress missed the deadline. Black communities are feeling the consequences: ⚠️ No pay for federal workers ⚠️ Paused civil rights enforcement ⚠️ Disrupted public services ⚠️ Without a CR SNAP with cease 11/1 in some states. It’s time to demand better!

Section 2 of The Voting Rights Act is essential for challenging racial discrimination in voting. LDF President and Director-Counsel @janainelson.bsky.social joined @pbsnews.org to highlight how Section 2 is a necessary tool to fight discriminatory electoral maps that continue to be drawn today.

Since President Trump signed an executive order threatening birthright citizenship, several lawsuits have blocked it from taking effect. Where does the future of birthright citizenship stand? On Monday, 10/27, join us for a webinar to learn about the status and how we’re fighting to protect it!

BREAKING 🚨: Louisville, KY changes its protest policies to prohibit chemical and direct weapons from being used to manage crowds. What this means: no tear gas, no rubber bullets, and less police violence. Because protestors deserve to stand up against injustices without fearing for their safety ✊🏽

📢 Georgia students are drowning in debt while the state ignores need-based aid. A hearing is happening on Oct. 22nd. Let’s demand a system that invests in students, not just their test scores. #CollegeAffordability

President & Director-Counsel @janainelson.bsky.social didn’t just argue Louisiana v. Callais — she broke it down on @msnbc.com. ➡️ It’s about race, not party. ➡️ Allen v. Milligan set the precedent. ➡️ SCOTUS followed the law then. And it should again.

🚨 JUST IN: Jefferson County refuses to draw a fair map — so their racially discriminatory one stays while they appeal our win. Democracy is on the line in Alabama AGAIN. LDF and our clients won’t stop fighting for fair representation and WE WON'T GIVE UP.

UPDATE: We re-argued Louisiana v. Callais at the Supreme Court and defended voting rights for communities of color. Our team showed up strong in and outside of the courtroom. But the fight isn’t over yet!

We're fighting alongside the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to preserve the Voting Rights Act and ensure that Black voters in Louisiana are represented fairly.

This morning, we sent a letter along with @lawyerscomm.bsky.social, @legaldefensefund.bsky.social, and over 30 other groups to college & university presidents with a simple message: Don’t take Trump’s deal.

The foundation of our democracy rests on inclusive representation and everyone having equal access to the ballot box. The VRA opened doors for millions of Americans, particularly Black Americans, to have their voices heard. We'll never stop fighting, alongside our partners, to protect our freedom.

Voting rights are about giving “Black voters a fair shot – not even a fair share! – just a fair shot at electing representatives of their choice”: @janainelson.bsky.social, president and director-counsel of the @legaldefensefund.bsky.social, who defended voting rights before the Supreme Court today.

“Justices should be concerned about the gross imbalance of political power that exists in this country along the lines of race,” says @janainelson.bsky.social, president and director-counsel of the @legaldefensefund.bsky.social, who defended voting rights before the Supreme Court today.

All voters have a right to an equal voice in our political process — that is the promise of the Voting Rights Act. And that is exactly what we defended today at the Supreme Court. Thank you to our clients, our partners, and all those who showed up today to stand up for democracy!

And that’s a wrap! After two hours of argument, @janainelson.bsky.social, our clients, and legal team joined our rally on the steps of SCOTUS to urge the justices to protect the VRA & rights of voters across the country!

Live from the Supreme Court @janainelson.bsky.social stresses the diversification and representation the VRA's provided: "We only have the diversity we see across the South because of litigation that forced the creation of opportunity districts under the Voting Rights Act."

CALLAIS UPDATE: We are at the Supreme Court where our President & Director-Counsel Janai Nelson will argue on behalf of all voters in Louisiana v. Callais. This case could decide the future of the Voting Rights Act! Tune in at SupremeCourt.gov starting at 10 AM EST.

Since 1965, the VRA has ensured fair representation for all Americans. But right now, those protections are under threat again — especially in places like Louisiana. Today, LDF is at the Supreme Court fighting to protect those very rights, and we all must tune in!

🚨📰Front Page Alert! LDF is back at the Supreme Court tomorrow at 10AM. The fight? Saving the Voting Rights Act from being gutted. The stakes? Black political power for generations.

Today is George Floyd’s birthday. He should be here today, celebrating his 52nd birthday – instead we are mourning his unjust passing. Today is a reminder that we fight because we deserve justice. We deserve to feel safe. We deserve to live in a country that values us. We deserve better.

#OTD in 1964: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35, becoming the youngest person to do so in history. His vision of justice through nonviolence continues to shape movements worldwide.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day we honor the resilience, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities. Today also serves as a reminder that true justice means advocating for the freedom and rights of Indigenous communities, uplifting their voices, and honoring their histories.

Lena Waithe and Liza Jessie Peterson's one-woman show The Peculiar Patriot is shaking up Baltimore Center Stage. It’s powerful, funny, and deeply moving—a must-see story about mass incarceration and its impact on Black and Brown communities. See it while you can from 10/15 – 11/9!

Black women have long led the fight for democracy. LDF litigators Constance Baker Motley, Judith Reed, Elaine Jones, Christina Swarns, and Leah Aden, have all argued before SCOTUS, and LDF’s President and Director-Counsel, @janainelson.bsky.social, will do so soon.

From the arts to social justice, the Latin community has helped shape our society into what it is today. As we close out Latin Heritage Month, let’s celebrate the legacies of these vibrant communities by fighting for their rights and ensuring their contributions are recognized year-round!

Black people with mental illness have a higher risk of being arrested, incarcerated, and fatal harm by police violence. This World Mental Health Day, we’re calling for community-based mental health services. Because Black people with mental illness deserve to be met with care, not with harm.

The political prosecution of Attorney General James is yet another example of a truly disturbing pattern within this administration to attack and punish Black public servants, especially Black women!