
Defending Democracy and Civil Rights in the Courts and in the Streets
About the PCJF
For 30 years, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) has been a leader in the fight to uncompromisingly defend democracy and advance constitutional rights by litigating landmark civil rights and First Amendment cases and providing robust defense to social justice activists and movements. Our work is focused on creating meaningful social and legal changes and dismantling systems of oppression.
Featured Issues

Know Your Rights – When the FBI Knocks – Available in English, Español and Arabic
Use this quick reference guide to know what to do if the FBI comes to your door. Updated KYR resource available in English, Spanish and Arabic.

PCJF Condemns Trump’s Militarized Takeover of D.C. as an Unlawful Prototype of a Police State
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund issued the following statement from its executive director, constitutional rights litigator Mara…

NEW: Know Your Rights – US Citizen Rights When Re-Entering the US at Airports or Land Borders
Use this quick reference guide to know what to do when re-entering the US as a citizen.
Impact Litigation
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF), and its Center for Protest Law & Litigation, filed a federal lawsuit against the District of Columbia challenging the Metropolitan Police Department’s “repressive and violent tactics including the authorized indiscriminate use of ‘less lethal’ projectile weapons against peaceful protestors and bystanders, gratuitously and without notice or warning and in order to intentionally retaliate against and inflict pain upon protestors challenging policing in our society.”
The lawsuit seeks to end the MPD’s unconstitutional and punitive tactics of indiscriminately deploying less lethal weapons, including maiming projectiles, into crowds of persons engaged in First Amendment protected activities, in particular those challenging racist police violence.

JOIN THE FIGHT
Your support makes sure we can:
- Defend front-line communities waging the fight for justice
- Mount an uncompromising fight back against police repression
- Challenge outrageous suppressive laws
- Expose government misconduct and operations against the social justice movement.
You have made it possible to fight back – and win – including to bring landmark affirmative constitutional rights cases ratifying and expanding the legal recognition of our cherished rights and restricting illegal police tactics.
How you can help
Help us challenge federal and local law enforcement efforts to punish, threaten and silence movements for change. Join us in the fight for democracy, civil rights, and social and environmental justice – in the courts and in the streets.

PCJF Resource Archive
Find litigation documents, FOIAs, Know Your Rights information, and more in our resource library.
Recent News
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Army combat veteran who burned US flag wants to legally challenge White House order
Excerpt from Stars and Stripes. Read the full article here. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, one of the attorneys representing Carey,…
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US Attorney’s Office Fails to Secure Felony Assault Indictment from Federal Grand Jury in DC
For the second time in recent days, Pirro’s office has failed in high profile efforts to secure felony…
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Trump’s Hostile Takeover: D.C. Is a ‘Test Run’ for Martial Law
Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund and constitutional lawyer Mara Verheyden-Hilliard joins Breakthrough News’ The…
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PCJF Condemns Trump’s Militarized Takeover of D.C. as an Unlawful Prototype of a Police State
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund issued the following statement from its executive director, constitutional rights litigator Mara…
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Bill to limit mask wearing by cops introduced by Bay Area lawmakers in wake of ICE raids
Excerpt from the Mercury News. Read the full article here. “Rachel Lederman, senior counsel with the Partnership for…
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PCJF Staff Attorney and Marine Veteran Nick Place’s message to servicemembers being deployed to Los Angeles
Nick Place, constitutional rights attorney with the Center for Protest Law and Litigation at the Partnership for Civil…