Lawyers for Civil Rights Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1968 as the Boston-based affiliate of the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, LCR operates independently with its own governance and 501(c)(3) status. The organization provides pro bono legal services, focusing on issues such as civil rights, racial justice, and immigrant rights."Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law of the Boston Bar Association". Justia. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
LCR gained national attention in 2022 for its involvement in legal actions related to the transport of nearly 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard by the Florida state government.Tumin, Remy (September 16, 2022). "Migrants Flown to Martha's Vineyard Say They Were Misled". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03. The organization also filed a civil rights complaint against Harvard University, challenging the use of legacy and donor preferences in the college admissions process.Medina, Eduardo (September 20, 2022). "Migrants Who Were Flown to Martha's Vineyard Sue Florida Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
Initially known as the "Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of the Boston Bar Association,"Brodin, Mark (June 2020). "The Boston Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: The First Fifty Years" (PDF). Massachusetts Law Review. 101 (3): 43. Retrieved 2023-12-03. the organization was later renamed "Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice." In 2015, the organization adopted its current name, "Lawyers for Civil Rights," to mark its 50th anniversary."Lawyers for Civil Rights". Libretto. October 17, 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-29. Civil rights attorney Barbara Ruth Arnwine served as the organization's executive director in the 1980s before leading the national office in Washington, DC."Mass. Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Honoring Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. Bicameral Resolution Marks 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee's Boston Affiliate". United States Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Stephen F. Lynch. September 25, 2018. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
LCR is affiliated with several professional associations in Massachusetts, including the Boston Bar Association."Civil Rights and Civil Liberties". Boston Bar Association. Retrieved 2023-12-03. The organization has been involved in various legal and advocacy efforts, including its participation in the desegregation of Boston Public Schools in 1974"Complaint in Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al. (Morgan v. Hennigan)". Records of District Courts of the United States. Retrieved 2023-12-03. and the publication of a report titled "The Quality of Justice in the Lower Criminal Courts of Metropolitan Boston," which contributed to reforms in Massachusetts' criminal justice system.Rosenfeld, S. Stephen (1970). The Quality of Justice in the Lower Criminal Courts of Metropolitan Boston: A Report of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to the Governor's Committee on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Stanford University. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
LCR has taken legal action in areas such as policing, education, and immigration. The organization has filed lawsuits addressing racial disparities in law enforcement and has represented students in cases involving education equity.Aitken, Madeleine (August 3, 2022). "Civil rights lawsuit filed against Arlington police over alleged racial profiling incident". Boston.com. Retrieved 2023-12-03.Ortiz, U.S. Attorney (September 26, 2016). "U.S. Attorney Ortiz Concludes Investigation into Civil Rights Allegations at Boston Latin School". U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2023-12-03. LCR has also been involved in monitoring elections and supporting immigrants in legal challenges, including efforts to reunite families separated at the U.S. border.Dooling, Shannon (November 4, 2016). "Hundreds Of Mass. Volunteer Poll Monitors Ready For Election Day". WBUR. Retrieved 2023-12-03.Dooling, Shannon (July 12, 2018). "U.S. Decision To End Temporary Immigration Protections Was Racist, Attorneys Argue". WBUR. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
In recent years, LCR has worked with law enforcement and government officials on anti-discrimination initiatives, including investigations into Boston Latin School"U.S. Attorney Ortiz Concludes Investigation into Civil Rights Allegations at Boston Latin School". U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts. September 26, 2016. Retrieved 2023-12-03. and the Museum of Fine Arts.Gross, Jenny (May 5, 2020). "After Racism Claims, Boston Museum Creates Diversity Fund". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03."AG's Office and Museum of Fine Arts Reach Historic Agreement to Support Diversity and Inclusivity". Mass.gov. May 5, 2020. Retrieved 2023-12-03. The organization has also provided support to small businesses in low-income communities through initiatives like the BizGrow Conference."Lawyers for Civil Rights hosts 3rd annual small business event". Bay State Banner. July 24, 2019. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, LCR played a role in advocating for public health measures, including the closure of immigration detention facilities and addressing health disparities in immigrant communities.Sacchetti, Maria (May 20, 2021). "ICE to stop detaining immigrants at two county jails under federal investigation". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-12-03."How A Community Center In Boston Got More Shots Into Arms". WBUR. May 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
References
1. "Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law of the Boston Bar Association". Justia. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
2. Tumin, Remy (September 16, 2022). "Migrants Flown to Martha's Vineyard Say They Were Misled". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
3. Medina, Eduardo (September 20, 2022). "Migrants Who Were Flown to Martha's Vineyard Sue Florida Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
4. Brodin, Mark (June 2020). "The Boston Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: The First Fifty Years" (PDF). Massachusetts Law Review. 101 (3): 43. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
5. "Lawyers for Civil Rights". Libretto. October 17, 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
6. "Mass. Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Honoring Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice. Bicameral Resolution Marks 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers' Committee's Boston Affiliate". United States Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Stephen F. Lynch. September 25, 2018. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
7. "Civil Rights and Civil Liberties". Boston Bar Association. Retrieved 2023-12-03. "Complaint in Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al. (Morgan v. Hennigan)". Records of District Courts of the United States. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
8. Rosenfeld, S. Stephen (1970). The Quality of Justice in the Lower Criminal Courts of Metropolitan Boston: A Report of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to the Governor's Committee on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Stanford University. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
9. Aitken, Madeleine (August 3, 2022). "Civil rights lawsuit filed against Arlington police over alleged racial profiling incident". Boston.com. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
10. Ortiz, U.S. Attorney (September 26, 2016). "U.S. Attorney Ortiz Concludes Investigation into Civil Rights Allegations at Boston Latin School". U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
11. Dooling, Shannon (November 4, 2016). "Hundreds Of Mass. Volunteer Poll Monitors Ready For Election Day". WBUR. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
12. Dooling, Shannon (July 12, 2018). "U.S. Decision To End Temporary Immigration Protections Was Racist, Attorneys Argue". WBUR. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
13. Gross, Jenny (May 5, 2020). "After Racism Claims, Boston Museum Creates Diversity Fund". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
14. "AG's Office and Museum of Fine Arts Reach Historic Agreement to Support Diversity and Inclusivity". Mass.gov. May 5, 2020. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
15. Sacchetti, Maria (May 20, 2021). "ICE to stop detaining immigrants at two county jails under federal investigation". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
16. "How A Community Center In Boston Got More Shots Into Arms". WBUR. May 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-12-03.