September 19, 2025
The following statement was signed by 116 civil rights, faith-based and labor organizations and published by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights:
Whether we’re Black, White, Brown, Latino, Asian, Arab, or Indigenous, Native or newcomer, LGBTQ+ or not, disabled or not, and regardless of faith, we believe in the freedom to speak out against injustice, organize for change, and fight hate and discrimination through peaceful means. It is not just a right, but a duty to the communities we represent. That’s why civil rights groups have criticized acts of this administration and denounced offensive and dangerous rhetoric.
This administration has made clear its intent to protect discrimination over civil rights and use any opportunity to silence dissent and target nonprofits that oppose its policies. It attacks philanthropic institutions, unions, teachers, and universities that support diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, the freedom to protest and to learn our history. We cannot be silent as they turn government power against our rights.
We continue to unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, including political violence, as our communities have long been targets of white supremacists’ hatred. America’s civil rights movement is rooted in nonviolence – as championed by Dr. King and Bayard Rustin—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington to today’s fight for equal opportunity for all.
Our communities face the highest rates of hate and violence –including anti-Arab, anti-Asian, anti-Black, anti-homeless, anti-immigrant, anti-Latino, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-Muslim, antisemitic, and gender-based violence— and this administration’s actions and rhetoric have only intensified the dangers of hate crimes and violence by militarizing our cities, demonizing these communities, and enabling mass raids based on race and immigration status.
In an effort to silence opposition, the administration now also threatens to designate civil rights groups as “domestic terrorists,” revoke their non-profit status, and launch criminal investigations. But no group or individual should be considered a “criminal” for documenting hate incidents, protecting vulnerable communities, and pursuing justice through courts and legislation rather than violence.
The First Amendment protects our right to assemble, petition our government, and speak truth to power. These are not privileges—they are fundamental rights. Our strength has always come from unity built on freedom, not fear; on debate, not silence. When an administration seeks to stifle dissent, it rejects the very spirit that carries this nation forward. That’s why we:
Further attacks will only strengthen our conviction—a conviction driven not by greed, power, or envy, but by the fundamental belief that all people, regardless of race or identity, deserve equality, fairness, and dignity.
Signed by,
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Advancement Project
Advocates for Trans Equality
AFT | Education, Healthcare, Public Services
All Voting is Local
AME Zion Church
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Atheists
American Constitution Society
American Humanist Association
Americans for Financial Reform
Andrew Goodman Foundation
Arab American Institute (AAI)
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action
Bicgen Foundation Inc
Big Bethel AME Church (Atlanta, GA)
CASA
Center on Faith and Justice, Georgetown University
The Center for Racial Equity and Justice
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
Coalition on Human Needs
Color Of Change
Common Cause
Community Change
Court Accountability Action
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Election Administration Resource Center
End Citizens United
EngageFaith
Equal Justice Society
Fair Elections Center
FairVote
Global Alliance Interfaith Networks
Hispanic Federation
Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights First
Interfaith Alliance
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Japanese American Citizens League
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
John Wesley AMEZ Church
Juvenile Law Center
Lambda Legal
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
League of Women Voters of the United States
Legal Action Center
Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
Movement Advancement Project
Mt. Calvary AME Church
Muslim Advocates
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
NALEO Educational Fund
National Abortion Federation
National African American Clergy Network
National Association of Social Workers
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD)
National Coalition for the Homeless
National Council of Churches USA
National Education Association
National Employment Law Project
National Employment Lawyers Association
National Fair Housing Alliance
National Health Law Program
National Hispanic Media Coalition
National Homelessness Law Center
National Immigration Project
National Institute for Workers’ Rights
National Organization for Women
National Partnership on Women & Families
National Redistricting Foundation
National Women’s Law Center
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates
People For the American Way
Poverty & Race Research Action Council
The Prophetic Convening
Public Citizen
Public Justice
Reproaction
Reproductive Freedom For All
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
SAGE
Second Calvary Baptist Church
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Shriver Center on poverty law
The Sikh Coalition
Sojourners
The Southern Poverty Law Center
Stand Up America
State Voices
Voices for Progress
The Voter Participation Center
Washington Office of Public Witness
Women Lawyers On Guard Action Network, Inc.
YWCA USA
100% Democracy: An Initiative for Universal Voting
REGIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL
California Association of Human Relations Organizations
Carolina Missionary Baptist Church
Equality California
First Baptist of Glenarden
First Institutional Baptist Church
Greater Christ Baptist Church
Hope’s Beacon Baptist Church
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
Jerusalem Baptist Church
MarchOnHarrisburg
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Pastors For Florida Children
Providence Missionary Baptist Church
Western States Center
