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THE 2019 PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW LIVE!
We are thrilled to announce that the application for the 2019-2021 cohort of the Public Rights Project Fellowship is now live until May 15 at 11:59 PM PST!
For its 2019 fellowship class, Public Rights Project has partnered with the City of Detroit and Wisconsin Department of Justice. (To learn more about the placements, click here.)
Are you passionate about the power of government lawyers to improve residents' lives? Are you interested in developing new skills? Then apply today!
Know someone who would be a great candidate? Nominate them here. And spread the word on social media!
HELP US RECRUIT THE SECOND COHORT OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT FELLOWSHIP!
Google Breakfast (c) Lisa Vortman Photography
Below are some upcoming activities in which we’d love for you to engage. Please use this form to let us know BY MAY 1 if you are available for one or more of them.
Resume Review
In-Person Interviews
Reference Checking
Webinar or In-Person Training
CITY OF SANTA MONICA PREVAILS AGAINST AIRBNB AND HOMEAWAY AT NINTH CIRCUIT IN UNANIMOUS DECISION
Early this month, the 9th Circuit of the US Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in favor of the City of Santa Monica’s Home-Sharing Ordinance, affirming its right to protect access to affordable housing. Public Rights Project convened a coalition of cities from across the country to file an amicus brief in the case, and we’re thrilled to have prevailed in the 9th Circuit!
Read PRP Founder Jill Habig’s op-ed in the Daily Journal on why the ruling is a victory for cities.
We applaud PRP Advisory Board Member and Santa Monica City Attorney Dilg’s leadership on this effort, and we’re grateful to have worked with San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, City of Baltimore Solicitor Andre Davis, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein on this case.
PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT AND CITIES FILE AMICUS BRIEF ASKING THE 9TH CIRCUIT TO RECONSIDER DECISION IN ZABRISKIE V. FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION
Earlier this month, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief in a case that could have a devastating impact on access to credit, housing, and employment, especially for vulnerable people. Along with the cities of Baltimore, Seattle, Oakland, Columbus, Flint and Santa Cruz, PRP asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a decision in Zabriskie v. Federal National Mortgage Association that would have opened the door to widespread evasion of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which ensures that the credit reports and background checks used in determining eligibility for loans, housing, and jobs are fair and accurate.
Edmund Pettus Bridge (C) Andi Rice Photography
IT HAS BEEN A BUSY MONTH AT PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT...
Public Rights Project joined partners from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in Hartford to support the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office’s efforts to expand civil rights enforcement in the state. AG Tong summed up PRP’s mission perfectly: “It’s all well and good to have a right, but it means nothing if there is no remedy.” We agree!
Public Rights Project met so many young and promising students at the University of San Francisco’s Government and Policy Careers PopUp, many of whom are eager to join the fight for a more just and inclusive society.
Our PRP Fellow, David Ureña, has been busy at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. In partnership with Chelsea Collaborative, David facilitated town hall meetings on tenants rights.
MARKING THE 54TH ANNIVERSARY OF "BLOODY SUNDAY"
Early this month marked the 54th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” where hundreds of civil rights activists in Selma, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rep. John Lewis, attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Montgomery to demand the state of Alabama allow African-Americans to register and vote. Instead, they were met with violence from the Alabama law enforcement.
Horrific images from the march inspired a national movement that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act and forever changed the course of U.S. history.Today, despite significant progress, the right to vote is still under attack. This is why we are working with cities and states to ensure equal opportunity for all, regardless of one’s zip code.
