Civil rights

Formerly incarcerated New Yorkers rally with VOCAL to ban the box outside City Hall.

Why ‘Banning the Box’ Is Such a Big Deal for the Formerly Incarcerated Why ‘Banning the Box’ Is Such a Big Deal for the Formerly Incarcerated

One small step by President Obama could improve employment prospects for anyone with a conviction.

Nov 4, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Democrats VRA

Congressional Democrats Launch a New Strategy to Restore the Voting Rights Act Congressional Democrats Launch a New Strategy to Restore the Voting Rights Act

The 2016 election is a year away, and many states are holding local elections today, but not everyone will be able to vote.

Nov 3, 2015 / Ari Berman

Grace Lee Boggs Was a True Radical

Grace Lee Boggs Was a True Radical Grace Lee Boggs Was a True Radical

The philosopher and activist knew there is still much work to be done to make life on this planet just.

Oct 7, 2015 / Michelle Chen

This Is How Immigration Reform Happened 50 Years Ago. It Can Happen Again.

This Is How Immigration Reform Happened 50 Years Ago. It Can Happen Again. This Is How Immigration Reform Happened 50 Years Ago. It Can Happen Again.

Recalling the civil-rights history of the Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 can help us think about how to change immigration policy today.

Oct 2, 2015 / Mae Ngai

Bloody Sunday mural in Selma

Alabama, Birthplace of the Voting Rights Act, Is Once Again Gutting Voting Rights Alabama, Birthplace of the Voting Rights Act, Is Once Again Gutting Voting Rights

Alabama passed a strict voter-ID law and then closed 31 DMV offices in the state.

Oct 1, 2015 / Ari Berman

It Just Got a Lot Harder for Americans to Have Their Day in Court

It Just Got a Lot Harder for Americans to Have Their Day in Court It Just Got a Lot Harder for Americans to Have Their Day in Court

By rewriting the rules for civil complaints, the Supreme Court denied access to poor and middle-class people—and handed a big gift to corporate interests.

Sep 24, 2015 / Feature / Arthur R. Miller

Word made flesh: A demonstrator awaits the Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case, June 30, 2014.

How ‘Hobby Lobby’ Launched a Right-Wing Crusade How ‘Hobby Lobby’ Launched a Right-Wing Crusade

The 2014 ruling has enabled corporations and Christian zealots to claim “religious liberty” as an excuse to deny women’s rights and skirt the law.

Sep 23, 2015 / Feature / Dahlia Lithwick

Turner Field

Stadiums Ruin Neighborhoods Stadiums Ruin Neighborhoods

But for the first time in 60 years, a sports megastructure will not dominate Atlanta’s skyline south of Downtown. Can activists help make the area livable again?

Sep 3, 2015 / Daniel Judt

Students Protest BLM

What a Band of 20th-Century Alabama Communists Can Teach Black Lives Matter and the Offspring of Occupy What a Band of 20th-Century Alabama Communists Can Teach Black Lives Matter and the Offspring of Occupy

On the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking history, Hammer and Hoe, author Robin D.G. Kelley discusses the lessons Alabama’s forgotten black communists can offer today’s activis...

Aug 31, 2015 / Sarah Jaffe

Donald Trump.

Give Trump This: The 14th Amendment Has Been Working Overtime Give Trump This: The 14th Amendment Has Been Working Overtime

How healthy is it to found a democracy on this one slender reed?

Aug 26, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

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