Press releases

Public Rights Project announces 2026 Affirmative Leaders Fellows

The fellowship equips attorneys working for state, local and Tribal governments with skills to expand civil rights protections and advance justice.

More than 50 local governments oppose federal rule restricting billions in grants

Coalition warns the Trump administration’s proposal would weaponize crucial federal funding used by local governments nationwide

New Haven and Public Rights Project urge court to toss DOJ lawsuit targeting city’s public safety policies

City defends its public safety laws in latest federal lawsuit challenging local authority nationwide, as courts continue siding with local governments

Local governments file second lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s attacks on homelessness funding

New filing denounces U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s 2026 grant notice that would leave 97,000 people without housing

Local governments challenge latest attacks on homelessness funding grants

New complaint highlights unlawful criteria in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding notice

Albuquerque and Public Rights Project urge court to toss DOJ lawsuit targeting local community safety policies

City defends its local laws protecting immigrants in one of more than a dozen federal lawsuits challenging local authority nationwide, following a string of court victories for local governments

City of Boston urges federal court to throw out U.S. DOJ lawsuit challenging Boston Trust Act

Public Rights Project and city of Boston defend public safety law that helped make the city one of the safest in the country

Local governments and leaders urge Supreme Court to defend access to abortion pill

Over 100 cities and counties across 24 states push to protect access to mifepristone via telemedicine, shield residents from attack on reproductive rights

Local governments urge court to preserve visible identification for law enforcement

28 cities, counties and leaders across 10 states push to protect residents from the widespread confusion, public safety risks posed by anonymous policing

Coalition of local governments urges U.S. Supreme Court to preserve protections for Haitian, Syrian communities

Leaders warn of severe economic and community damage if Temporary Protected Status ends and more than 350,000 people face deportation

Appeals court rejects federal government’s attempt to gut homelessness funding

Ruling affirms a lower court’s decision and protects nearly $4 billion in supportive housing funding for almost 200,000 people

Local governments urge court to halt Trump-Vance administration rule that would strip commercial drivers’ licenses from thousands

Over 140 local governments urge court to stop Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship

Coalition of mayors, cities and counties file amicus brief condemning unlawful executive order, warning of widespread community harm if birthright citizenship is eliminated

Coalition of local governments files amicus brief to block unlawful federal law enforcement deployment in Minnesota

Over 80 mayors, cities and counties warn about harm to public safety, communities and local law enforcement due to the Trump administration’s unlawful deployment of ICE to the Twin Cities

Local governments and nonprofit groups challenge unlawful new Trump-Vance Administration restrictions that threaten proven solutions to homelessness

Suit raises concerns that Trump-Vance Administration actions will push more than 170,000 people into homelessness as cold winter months arrive

Federal court halts Trump administration’s attack on disaster preparedness funding

Court order blocks the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA from placing unlawful conditions on hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency preparedness funding

City of Boston defends public safety law that helps make it one of the safest big cities in the country

City asks court to dismiss federal lawsuit targeting Boston’s Trust Act.

15 local governments seek to join lawsuit to stop Trump administration’s illegal attack on housing, transit and health funding  

More than $1.84 billion in federal funding is at stake, including housing, transportation and health care grants.

More than 80 local governments and leaders urge court to protect SNAP benefits amid federal appeal

Nationwide coalition files amicus brief opposing the federal government’s attempt to block food assistance for over 41 million Americans

More than 40 local government and leaders urge court to protect access to health care for millions of Medicaid patients

The federal government is unlawfully targeting Planned Parenthood, the largest nationwide provider of essential reproductive and family planning health care for ideological reasons.

104 local governments and leaders urge court to block National Guard deployment in Chicago

Nationwide coalition files amicus brief supporting Illinois in its fight to defend local authority and constitutional limits on executive power

100 local governments and leaders urge court to block National Guard deployment in Portland

Nationwide coalition files amicus brief supporting Oregon and Portland in their fight to preserve local control and illegal occupation by the federal military in Portland.

29 local governments nationwide sue to stop Trump administration’s unlawful and extreme attack on emergency and disaster funding

Over 350 million dollars for fire departments, port security, counterterrorism and wildfire recovery are being threatened by unlawful conditions 

Public Rights Project receives William Penn Foundation grant to bolster its defense of democratic and civil rights nationwide

The special $150,000 grant will help Public Rights Project protect and advance civil rights and support free and fair elections.

Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus urges U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Voting Rights Act

The court’s decision will impact how congressional maps are drawn in Louisiana and other states.

Court clears path for federal government to terminate $3 billion environmental grants program

Ruling puts critical funding for more than 350 local governments and organizations nationwide at risk as communities pause essential environmental projects

Court rules Trump administration cannot withhold or freeze federal funding to cities and counties it labels as “sanctuary jurisdictions”

This is the second preliminary injunction issued in San Francisco v. Trump, extending relief to 34 newly added plaintiffs.

Court issues second preliminary injunction, stopping Trump administration’s attack on $12 billion in housing, transit and health funding

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction in King County v. Turner, siding with 60 local governments represented by Public Rights Project and Pacifica Law Group. The ruling halts unconstitutional grant conditions tied to immigration, DEI, abortion access, and more.

Public Rights Project appoints Mimi Marziani to its board of directors

New board member Mimi Marziani is a prominent civil rights litigator and former president of the Texas Civil Rights Project. In 2014, she ran the first coordinated, statewide voter protection program for Texas Democrats.

Public Rights Project announces 2025 Affirmative Leaders Fellows

The fellowship equips attorneys working for state, local and Tribal governments with skills to expand civil rights protections and advance justice.

60 local governments nationwide sue to stop Trump administration’s extreme attack on housing, transit and health funding

Nationwide legal challenge grows: 34 more local governments join lawsuit to stop Trump’s illegal immigration coercion

Baltimore, Boston, Columbus, Denver, Los Angeles, Rochester are among 50 plaintiffs now fighting back.

Nonprofits, Tribes and local governments sue Trump administration for terminating EPA grant programs

A nationwide coalition of nonprofits, Tribes, and local governments is taking the Trump administration to court for illegally cutting off billions in environmental justice funding.

Court blocks federal cuts to critical health funding in Harris County-led lawsuit

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from cutting off funding for public health programs that support vaccinations, disease surveillance and critical health infrastructure.

53 local governments and local government leaders urge court to prevent federal interference during public protests

Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to lift its hold on a temporary restraining order issued by a district court.

Public Rights Project urges court to protect $820 million in public safety funding

After the federal government’s unlawful termination of public safety grants, Public Rights Project and 25 local governments warn of devastating impact at local and national scale

Coalition of local governments issues statement in response to Trump administration releasing sanctuary jurisdictions list

Major win: Frozen grants to be restored in lawsuit challenging federal funding freeze

A federal court ordered the Trump administration to reinstate federal funding for critical community programs across the country.

Public Rights Project (PRP) Challenges Trump Administration’s Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

Public Rights Project Files National Lawsuit Against HHS to Block Unlawful $11 Billion Cut to Public Health Programs

Public Rights Project issues statement in advance of hearing in sanctuary lawsuit against Trump administration

Public Rights Project and 60+ Local Government Leaders Urge Supreme Court to Reject Attempt to Restrict Medicaid Providers

Innovative Oakland City Attorney’s Affirmative Litigation Division Yields 5x Return on Investment, Enhancing Public Safety and Serving as a Model for Civil Rights Protection

Public Rights Project and Bipartisan Coalition of Michigan Election Clerks Urge State Supreme Court to Hold Rogue Election Workers Accountable for Misconduct

Public Rights Project’s Statement on Wisconsin Attorney General’s Opinion Regarding Election Administration

Public Rights Project’s statement on Wisconsin attorney general’s opinion regarding election administration

Public Rights Project and Coalition of Wisconsin Elections Officials Urge State Supreme Court to Reinstate Drop Boxes Ahead of 2024 Election

Georgia District Attorneys File New Lawsuit Against the State To Challenge Reactivated Oversight Commission

Public Rights Project and 30+ Florida Leaders Urge Florida Supreme Court to Protect Black Voters in Congressional District 5

Public Rights Project, Protect Democracy, and Bipartisan Coalition of Election Officials Urge Arizona Court to Protect Fair Elections

Public Rights Project and 30+ Florida Leaders Urge Florida Supreme Court to Protect Black Voters in Congressional District 5

Public Rights Project Launches National Election Protection Hub to Defend 200+ Local Elections Officials Under Unprecedented Attacks in 2024

Georgia Prosecutors File Lawsuit Against the State To Challenge Governor Kemp’s Oversight Commission

PRP Statement on Warren v. DeSantis Trial Court Decision

Public Rights Project and Local Jurisdictions Urge Federal Agencies to Prohibit Federal Cooperation With State-level Abortion Bans