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.
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.
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…
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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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…
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National Park Service Plan to Close Dupont Circle During Pride Met With Opposition
Excerpt from the Advocate. Read the full article here. “Meanwhile, a watchdog group, the Partnership for Civil Justice…
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PCJF Demands Records On Trump Admin’s Dupont Circle Pride Ban
FOIAs Require Disclosure of Communications and Other Information Related to Closure and Subsequent Recission The Partnership for Civil…
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The Administration That Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioters Is Trying to Jail a Guy Over a Protest Banner
PCJF/CPLL Executive Director, Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, spoke with POLITICO about the DOJ’s targeting nonviolent protestors for prosecution: “There are…
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Lawsuit Results in Major Free Speech and Due Process Victory Against UC Santa Cruz
The Center for Protest Law & Litigation at the PCJF, co-counsel Thomas Seabaugh, and the ACLU Foundation of…