Blog

Q&A with Bernardo Cruz, affirmative litigation attorney at the El Paso County Attorney’s Office

Meet our Affirmative Leaders Fellowship alumni Bernardo Cruz

Meet our chief development officer!

Courtney Spellacy has just joined Public Rights Project as its new Chief Development Officer. She previously served as chief development officer at Sandy Hook Promise and held senior leadership roles at multiple ACLU affiliates, including the ACLU of Massachusetts, Southern California, and Arizona.

America turns 250. What do I do with the Fourth of July?

At 250, America doesn't need more celebration. It needs more people willing to hold it to its own word — in courtrooms, in classrooms, and in conversations when someone asks how we feel about the Fourth of July.

Mayors are fighting Haitian and Syrian deportations. For many, it’s a question of life or death.

As the Supreme Court considers Trump’s plans to remove Temporary Protected Status from Haitians and Syrians in the U.S., Civil Rights Hub Director Jenny Ma explains why mayors who signed on to our amicus brief are fighting these deportations.

Several months after the DC Conference of Mayors, the tide is changing

Four months ago, mayors were quietly asking each other whether they could afford to resist. Today, many of them have their answers.

How we are protecting free and fair elections in 2026

Election officials face more pressure than ever. Election deniers, local instigators, and now direct federal interference have made an already demanding job even harder. Public Rights Project is unique in its ability to help these public servants navigate threats with confidence — and keep elections running smoothly.

In the fight for reproductive freedom, our cities play a vital but overlooked role

The administration’s goal of controlling people and their bodies is part of the larger authoritarian playbook. And local governments have the power to protect communities from harm and advance civil rights.

FEMA employees are sounding the alarm on staff cuts: ‘States are not ready’

Whether it be the people who help communities recover from disaster, or the equipment and training first responders need to prevent and respond to crises, the federal government’s actions would remove the safety net that prevents the worst from happening.

The White House’s reversal on Housing First will worsen homelessness — but local governments are fighting back

Four billion in federal funding is at risk across the country, for housing-first resources that are often the last resort for keeping people off the streets.

Fighting for federal disaster funding in Chicago

Chicago v. Noem is about keeping firefighters and SWAT teams equipped, conducting counterterrorism exercises and training, and ensuring that transit riders are safe from mass violence. Here's what went into filing this major case.

Q&A with Affirmative Leaders Fellow Devon King, deputy city attorney in Albuquerque’s city attorney’s office

New Mexico has been ranked the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrian safety. Now, the city of Albuquerque is going to court to fight for an urban trail that would help its residents get around more safely, efficiently, and affordably.

Q&A with Affirmative Leaders Fellow Zenia Wilson Laws, Special Counsel for Nuisance Abatement at the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia

Public safety is not just about enforcement — it’s about balancing multiple perspectives, understanding community, and ensuring that actions serve the broader public good.

More cities should fill the gap to defend workers’ rights, says Oakland’s first worker protection attorney

For about a year that coincided with the start of the pandemic, housekeepers, front desk staff, and other workers at a Radisson Hotel in East Oakland received less than the minimum wage.

Standing up against the deployment of the National Guard: cities and counties are crucial to holding the line

Once again, local governments are standing up for what really keeps us all safe: ensuring communities continue to get critical services and that the National Guard is only deployed in the rare cases when truly needed.

How you can protect free and fair elections

Our recent funder briefing offered valuable insights and solutions to ensure free and fair elections happen in 2026.

What local governments should expect after the Trump administration cuts $800 million in scientific research funding

As the Trump administration moves to eliminate $800 million in NIH funding, local governments will be left to confront the ripple effects — from stalled medical research to strained local budgets and diminished public trust.

Civil Rights Hub: Impact at 6 months

The Civil Rights Hub has supported 100+ local governments in defending civil rights, restoring federal funds, and building a nationwide coalition to push back against political overreach and protect communities.

CEO insights: four lessons from our 2025 Local Power Summit

At our first Local Power Summit, local leaders shared how they’re navigating federal overreach, protecting essential services, and standing together to defend democracy from the ground up.

Five takeaways from our inaugural Local Power Summit

Local governments are under pressure — and rising to meet it. At the 2025 Summit, officials explored legal action, bold policy, and the power of coalitions to fight back.

The fallout from Trump v. CASA

The Supreme Court has limited the ability of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions against federal policies such as ending birthright citizenship. Here’s how Public Rights Project and our network of local governments are responding.

Meet our Civil Rights Hub Director!

Jenny Ma (she/her) joined Public Rights Project in May as its inaugural Civil Rights Hub Director.

Why we’re supporting local election officials in a non-election year

Abuses of power, the spread of mis- and disinformation, and efforts to sow doubt in our voting system don’t start and stop in an election year.

Strings attached: How the federal government is weaponizing federal grants to advance its political agenda

Public Rights Project CEO Jill Habig explores a new and deeply troubling strategy taking shape in the federal government — coercing local governments to accept extreme conditions on federal grants.

Meet PRP’s new litigation director!

Toby Merrill (she/her) joined Public Rights Project this month as its new litigation director. Most recently, Toby served as the principal deputy general counsel and previously deputy counsel for postsecondary education for the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Education.

The federal government is trying to eliminate environmental grants. Why this puts local communities in danger

When state and federal governments try to silence critics or implement policies that harm people, we must step in.

This Women’s History Month, look to local government to protect women’s rights

PRP Founder and CEO Jill Habig discusses the war on reproductive and women’s rights. Read more about what gives her hope in this complex time.

Sanctuary policies prioritize humanity, not law evasion

Chief Program Officer Jon Miller explores sanctuary city policies, highlighting their true purpose: protecting community well-being rather than evading law enforcement.

Over the next four years, we must band together and continue to hold power accountable

Jill Habig, founder and CEO of Public Rights Project, reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and what leadership means in today's fight for civil rights.

Post-election statement from the CEO

Jill Habig, founder and CEO of Public Rights Project, reflects on the fight for civil rights ahead of us under the second Trump administration.

Understanding the latest challenges to elections in battleground states

In October 2024, Public Rights Project hosted a media briefing featuring election officials from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and election experts. The conversation revealed the spectrum of obstacles faced by election officials and the shared confidence in a secure election system.