Welcome to the Public Rights Project Newsletter! Each month, we’ll keep you up to date with our efforts to empower states and cities to protect the rights and freedoms that define us as Americans. We’ll also share a few articles you may have missed that highlight the importance of state and local government, and how states and cities are picking up the torch to protect our rights.
UPDATES FROM PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT
FELLOWSHIP DEADLINE IN 2 WEEKS
The application for our inaugural Fellowship is closing on May 15, 2018! If you haven’t yet submitted (or if you haven’t begun) there’s still time! Please continue to apply, nominate and share this unique opportunity with your networks.
STILL ON THE FENCE? WATCH SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN
In a brand new video from Public Rights Project, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren talks about why she believes you (and your lawyer friends!) should join the fight and apply to be a Public Rights Project Fellow! Watch what she has to say here.
LAST CHANCE FELLOWSHIP WEBINAR
If you were unable to attend our last two webinars and still have questions about the Public Rights Project Fellowship, join us on May 9, 2018, 12:00 (PT) for our FINAL informational webinar! We will be covering the same information included during the previous webinars, so there is no need to attend if you have already done so. Register here.
VOLUNTEER WITH PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT - HELP US FIND OUR FELLOWS
We’re so excited to begin reviewing Fellowship applications and meet our potential Fellows! Shortly before and after the application deadline, we'll be 'all hands on deck' to conduct an initial evaluation of the applications. We'd love your help! Can you sign up to pitch in? If you’re interested in lending a hand, please complete this form no later than May 4th.
We’ll be hosting a thank-you party in Oakland, CA for all volunteers. Can’t wait to see you there!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
MICK MULVANEY ISN’T BLOWING UP THE CFPB
It’s more like death by a thousand cuts, critics say. “Some enforcement cases take months or years to put together. Worrying your new boss will shut down your case is bad for morale,” said Joanna Pearl, a former CFPB enforcement attorney who left in January. “Mulvaney's statements and actions make people justifiably worried he won't continue with matters that are in the interest of consumers."
States still have operating agreements with the CFPB to share data, though — and to the extent that the CFPB is retrenching, consumer advocates take heart that state attorneys general are stepping into the breach.
“States and cities have long been at the front lines of protecting their communities from predatory practices and financial fraud,” Pearl said. “With the CFPB withdrawing from this space, the role of state and local governments is more important than ever."
Read more via Politico
STATE AND CITY ACTION IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT CIVIL RIGHTS FIGHT
In a new op-ed, Public Rights Project President and Founder Jill Habig writes about how the Trump administration has upended federal civil rights protections from housing and policing, to education and the workplace. Find out why she believes that in the end, it’s cities and states that will pick (and win) the important fights against the exclusionary policies represented by this administration.
Check out the op-ed here
