By Jon Miller, Chief Program Officer, Public Rights Project
In a reality where civil rights are under relentless attack, Public Rights Project (PRP) has to be strategic about when and where to show up. I often have to consider where we can make the biggest impact in court and ultimately our communities.
Challenging abuses of government power is one way we’ve ensured more civil rights stay intact in communities. When state and federal governments try to silence critics or implement policies that harm people, we must step in. What might seem like political maneuvering from afar has real and immediate consequences for people across the country. No one should have to struggle to breathe clean air, afford to stay in their homes, or access the opportunities they need to thrive. We advocate with communities to preserve local governments’ ability to be allies and advocates for civil rights.
That’s why PRP joined efforts against a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump that jeopardizes billions of dollars in community-focused federal grants. These funds, which were appropriated by Congress for initiatives intended to make communities healthier and safer, are now at risk.
Unleashing American Energy directs federal agencies to terminate all funding that is not “consistent” with the Trump administration’s policies. The order impacts a new transit project in Nashville, Tenn., connecting isolated neighborhoods to downtown; development of energy-efficient affordable housing in North Charleston, S.C.; and programs reducing expensive oil heating bills and indoor pollution in New Haven, Conn.
These are just some of the reasons PRP recently joined the Southern Environmental Law Center, 11 environmental groups, and six local governments in challenging Trump’s executive order that puts restrictions on environmental justice and other climate initiatives.
Why this fight matters
Our lawsuit argues that Trump is violating the Constitution’s separation of powers principle by not disbursing funds as Congress intended. More troubling, however, is the attempt to undermine local democracy, strip authority from community leaders, and hinder progress in our cities.
Federal funding cuts threaten essential programs and erode the opportunity for local communities to determine their own future. The fight for clean air and water, efforts to reduce the effects of heat in cities, and the creation of safer roadways is not just an environmental issue — it’s a civil rights issue. Local governments and community groups know how to tackle these problems, and federal grants play a key role in providing the necessary resources. By restricting funding, Trump is not only attacking environmental protections but also weakening the foundation of local democracy.
Federal funding strengthens local democracy
Many of PRP’s local government partners, including Nashville and New Haven, are working to reverse discriminatory policies that harmed their residents in the past. Redlining was outlawed in 1968, but many cities still feel the lasting effects of racist banking and insurance practices meant to keep people of color out of white neighborhoods. And many Black and brown communities in the U.S. were and continue to be negatively impacted by the development of the nation’s interstate highway system. That program ultimately displaced more than 475,000 households and segregated people even further.
After strong community input, Nashville applied for federal grants to support transportation projects that enhance bike/pedestrian access and connect neighborhoods to the downtown area. The city also invested its own funds and held a referendum on the projects, which voters approved. But without federal funding, Nashville will not fulfill its commitment to voters — disenfranchising their vote and creating distrust in our democratic system.
In New Haven, we’ve seen a powerful example of a responsive government working with community groups, which bring specialized expertise, fill resource gaps, and hold leaders accountable. The city plans to lead a coalition of 20 community partners to improve 14 underserved neighborhoods, including focusing on upgrading bike infrastructure, adding green spaces, and improving energy efficiency in an affordable housing development. One partner, the
Community Action Agency of New Haven (CAANH), helps families with low income break the cycle of generational poverty through energy assistance, housing support, and financial literacy. Without the promised grant, CAANH will lose a full-time position critical to this work, and marginalized residents will be harmed once again. Households with low incomes spend between 17% and 50% of their incomes on household energy, whereas other households spend an average of 4%.
The power of local governments
PRP was founded on the idea that local governments have tremendous power to defend and advance democracy. They often lack sufficient resources to do so effectively, which is where the federal government comes in by offering the necessary funding for local governments to strengthen their communities. That system, while imperfect, has been responsible for a lot of good in cities, towns, and villages.
As the Trump administration continues its attempts to dismantle the core principles this country was built on, I feel inspired by the local government officials who are standing up in the larger fight for democracy. Through dozens of lawsuits and amicus briefs, our coalitions with government partners are fighting back on behalf of their constituents to defeat abuses of power. Together, we can defend civil rights and challenge injustice on a national scale.
