Our Mission
We close the gap between the promise of our laws and the lived reality of marginalized communities. We work hand in hand with local, state, and tribal governments across the U.S. to equitably enforce laws that protect people’s civil and human rights.
Our Vision
Imagine. A democracy built by the people that delivers equity and justice—a country where every community has a government fighting for their civil rights.
This world is possible.
While often painted as impediments to progress (and often for good reason), prosecutors, district attorneys, and state and tribal attorneys general can be powerful allies in protecting civil rights when given resources, tools, allies, and a growing pipeline of talent.
To reach this vision, we work to redefine local and state public law offices as proactive rights protectors rather than prosecutors, defense attorneys, or claims processors that seek punishment or retribution on behalf of the city, county, or state.
Whether it’s repairing relationships between a community and its police, seeking protections against racial discrimination and wage theft in the workplace, or protecting voters seeking access to the ballot, people should be able to look to their state, local, and tribal governments to ensure their rights are protected, and their voices are heard.
PRP’s work to uphold our rights—enforcing the laws that protect them and fighting against the abuses that strip them away—is more critical than ever.
But our work is far from complete. Support this vision of justice.
Our Issue Areas
Public Rights Project (PRP) helps local government officials be better allies in the fight for civil rights. We help governments work together with communities to use their incredible—but often untapped or misused—power to protect civil rights in four key areas:
The gutting of the Voting Rights Act has increased disenfranchisement of voters of color and gutted the federal accountability mechanism to rein in voter suppression. Leading up to 2024, we have the opportunity to equip our government partners with the legal resources to protect democracy.
With the fall of Roe, the arena for abortion rights has moved to the states. We are uniquely positioned to provide direct legal representation to local government officials to advance abortion access and reduce criminalization.
Despite massive policy wins led by labor organizers and unions, under-enforcement of workers rights is rampant. Working with individuals, movement leaders, and government officials, we will build a powerful pipeline of enforcement cases that advance economic security, safety, and dignity for working people.
As a backlash to the progress of organizers and movement builders, hostile states and extremist electeds are using punitive preemption and other anti-democracy tools to prevent communities from winning political power and policy change. We advocate with communities to protect their civic power and preserve local governments’ ability to be allies for civil rights.
Our Pillars
We empower city, state, and tribal government officials protecting civil rights through:
LITIGATION
We partner with government allies on court cases with the potential to set legal precedents, strengthen our civil rights, and create more equitable laws.
Learn more about our impact and litigation
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Staff and legal fellows across the country learn how prosecutors and other government officials can use their power to fight for civil rights.
Learn about fellowships
CONVENING & CONNECTING
We build bridges between community organizing and government enforcement to collaborate and create a new shared vision for community safety and health.
Learn about community-based enforcement
STORYTELLING
Using our civil rights magazine, THE PUBLIC, we tell the story of communities transformed by equitable enforcement, generating local and national impact and actualizing strong policy wins.
Read THE PUBLIC MAGAZINE
LIVING OUR VALUES
PRP is demanding anti-racist practices, prioritizing inclusion, and celebrating intersectionality as we grow and sustain our staff.
Meet the team
Why States, Cities, and Tribes?
Rights Need Enforcement: It's not enough to get laws on the books. We need to enforce them to make them real. State and local law offices have the authority to do so, but they need resources to take action.
Fill the Void Left by the Federal Government: Now that we've experienced the fallout of a Federal administration willing to attack vulnerable communities and roll back enforcement of core civil rights, consumer rights, and environmental protection laws—this isn't the first time and it won't be the last—we need long-term infrastructure at the state and local level to protect people’s rights more than ever.
Private Suits Are Restricted: Private and non-profit attorneys like the ACLU, Earthjustice, etc. are fighting valiantly in courts across the country. But there are many suits they cannot bring due to increasing barriers like forced arbitration, which forces employees or consumers to waive their right to sue, to participate in a class action lawsuit, or to appeal.
