LDF: Leading Our Nation's Quest for Greater Equality and Justice for All Americans
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., (LDF) has been at the center of protecting the right to vote, and all civil rights, since 1940. Founded by Thurgood Marshall, LDF is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
Amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has seen unrest occurring nationwide as the ongoing issue of police violence against African Americans was pushed back into the spotlight. The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor catapulted racial justice issues to the forefront of the national stage this summer, and the systemic racism that African Americans have faced is at long last becoming clear to the rest of our nation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LDF had to add an entirely new legal docket to address the catastrophic health, economic, and educational damage in the communities we serve. This work includes: ensuring that school closures do not derail the education and well-being of our children; calling for the suspension of evictions and utility shut-offs; protecting the health and safety of those in prisons, jails, and detention centers; and safeguarding elections and the safety of voters and poll workers.
During this perilous time, LDF has responded to attacks on civil rights as we have for the past 80 years: by fighting for racial justice in the courts, in local, state, and federal legislatures, and on the ground in communities across the country. Due to the courage and commitment of our clients, the generosity of our supporters, and the dedication and expertise of our staff and cooperating attorneys over the years, LDF has always been a pioneering force in our nation’s quest for greater equality.
We know that it is the ability to participate in the political process that unlocks so many of the other important civil rights issues. It increases the prospect for meaningful reforms in the criminal justice system. It expands the possibility of education equity. And it opens the doors of opportunity for fair housing practices and economic advancement.
LDF fought to protect voting rights throughout 2020, and we will continue to do so for every election going forward. We are uniquely positioned to navigate one of the most important moments for civil rights in our nation’s history. Join us in our fight to achieve equality for all by donating to LDF through your workplace giving program or through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #11104), and explore our work at www.naacpldf.org.
