Civil rights and equal protection is the body of law that guarantees people fair and equal treatment by government and, in many areas, by employers, landlords, and schools. It grows out of the Constitution and federal civil rights laws. Congress, federal agencies, courts, and the Department of Justice enforce it.
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On January 24, 2025, the Justice Department made two announcements that drew a sharp contrast. Federal prosecutors would pursue charges against protesters accused of interrupting worship…
On January 13, 2026, the Justice Department announced it would not investigate the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and U.S. citizen who…
Most people outside the criminal justice system have never heard of a 1963 Supreme Court case called Brady v. Maryland. Brady creates personal legal responsibilities that…
On January 7, 2026, a Minneapolis woman sits in her car on a residential street. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fires three shots as she…
Employment Discrimination, Housing Discrimination, and Education Access cover unfair treatment at work, in housing, and in school. Voting Rights covers protection of the ballot.
Anti-discrimination Protections covers the laws that bar unfair treatment based on personal characteristics, and Accessibility Rights covers equal access for people with disabilities.
Enforcement and Remedies covers how these rights are defended and what relief is available. Reparations covers proposals to address past injustice.
Seven days after the shooting on January 7, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on January 14, 2026, that the Justice Department had determined…
On January 8, 2026, ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. Last week, the Department of Justice announced it would…
Twenty-nine states have passed laws banning transgender girls from school sports. On January 13, 2026, the Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases challenging…
A group of federal workers filed a lawsuit representing a group of workers with the same complaint on January 1, 2026, the day the…
The Supreme Court ruled on the Texas redistricting case in December 2025. The decision allows states to redraw congressional maps between censuses. The Court's…
In November 2025, a three-judge federal panel blocked Texas from using a new congressional map for the 2026 midterms. The court issued a preliminary…
Every day, millions of Americans deal with difficult coworkers, demanding bosses, and uncomfortable workplace situations. When does bad behavior cross the line into illegal…
Being treated differently at work because of who you are is often illegal. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job…
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 makes it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, pay, promotions, or any other…
In the American workplace, the power dynamic seems heavily skewed toward employers, and for good reason—most employees work "at-will," meaning they can be terminated…
