Defending Democracy and Civil Rights in the Courts and in the Streets
About the PCJF
For more than 25 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.
PCJF Files Federal Lawsuit Against DC for MPD’s Indiscriminate and Violent Use of Less Lethal Weapons
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund 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.
Featured Issues
GWU students arrested during protest face court orders to stay away from campus
Excerpt from The Washington Post George Washington University students arrested in the spring for protesting the US-backed genocide…
Golden Gate 26 – Letter to DA Jenkins Urging Recusal From The Case
The PCJF’s Rachel Lederman, along with other lawyers representing the Golden Gate Bridge Protestors, have sent a letter…
San Francisco Police’s Illegal Arrest of Children and Youth at Skateboarding Event
The PCJF filed a civil rights claim in October 2023 against the City and County of San Francisco, challenging the illegal and unconstitutional arrest and detention of 113 young people. The PCJF is currently preparing to file a federal civil rights class action lawsuit against San Francisco and police commanders.
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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New Motions Demand the Court Dismiss Charges and Disqualify DA Brooke Jenkins in GG26 Case
The legal team for 26 activists who were arrested on the Golden Gate Bridge in April filed a…
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Civil Rights Groups Sue UCSC for Unlawful Campus Bans and Response to Student Protests
Today, The Center for Protest Law & Litigation, the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, and civil rights attorney…
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GWU students arrested during protest face court orders to stay away from campus
Excerpt from The Washington Post George Washington University students arrested in the spring for protesting the US-backed genocide…
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Police Close Off Dolores Street, Skaters ‘Bomb’ Church Street Instead
“When dealing with this or any event that poses challenges, the City must change its approach to one that truly protects our community and keeps it safe,” said Rachel Lederman, senior counsel with the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.
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PCJF, SF Latinx Democratic Club Urge SFPD to Change Tactics and Protect Children at Annual Skateboarding Event
PCJF sent a letter to the SFPD and the city’s attorneys in response to SFPD’s recent statement threatening to again make mass arrests in connection with this year’s planned Dolores Hill Bomb scheduled for July 6. PCJF urged the SFPD to change its tactics to protect the youth participating rather than target them.
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Federal judge OKs most claims in Dolores Park hill bomb lawsuit, setting up class action battle
Excerpt from Mission Local. Read the full article. A federal judge said on Thursday that most of the…