National Urban League Declares Civil Rights 'State of Emergency' in Response to Federal Actions

The National Urban League (NUL) has declared a "state of emergency" for civil rights in the United States, citing recent federal actions that, according to the organization, threaten to reverse decades of progress toward racial equality. This declaration was made during the release of the NUL's 49th annual "State of Black America" report on July 17, 2025, at its conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

The report, titled "State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights & Progress Under Attack," highlights concerns over the downsizing of federal agencies responsible for enforcing civil rights, the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives by major corporations and institutions, and the promotion of policies that could undermine Black economic advancement. It specifically criticizes initiatives like Project 2025, coordinated by The Heritage Foundation, which the League views as a blueprint for conservative governance that threatens civil rights achievements.

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, stated, "A democracy willing to destroy itself rather than deliver justice is a democracy in crisis." He emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges to protect the foundational principles of equality, liberty, and justice.

The report outlines several key areas of concern:

• Dismantling of Civil Rights Protections: The NUL criticizes the reduction of federal agencies responsible for enforcing civil rights and the reversal of DEI policies by major corporations and institutions.

• Promotion of a Homogeneous Societal Model: The report expresses concern over initiatives like Project 2025, coordinated by The Heritage Foundation, which the League views as a blueprint for conservative governance that threatens decades of civil rights progress.

• Voting Rights Suppression: The NUL points to systematic rollbacks of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, describing tactics such as gerrymandering, suppression, election sabotage, and intimidation that disproportionately affect Black communities.

Project 2025, also known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, is an initiative by The Heritage Foundation aimed at reshaping the federal government to align with conservative policies. Published in April 2023, the project's policy document, "Mandate for Leadership," proposes restructuring federal agencies, reducing environmental regulations, and reversing policies related to DEI initiatives. The NUL views this initiative as a significant threat to civil rights progress.

The NUL's declaration underscores the perceived threats to civil rights and democratic principles. The report warns that recent federal actions could reverse decades of progress in racial equality, potentially leading to increased marginalization of Black communities. The League calls for a "new resistance" to counter these developments and urges other organizations to join in safeguarding democratic principles.

In response to the Trump administration's executive orders perceived as undermining civil rights, the NUL, along with other civil rights organizations, filed a lawsuit on February 19, 2025, challenging these orders on the grounds that they infringe upon free speech and due process rights.

The 2025 report marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark law aimed at overcoming legal barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The NUL's report suggests that current federal actions threaten to dismantle the protections established by this act, signaling a regression in civil rights advancements.

The National Urban League's 2025 "State of Black America" report serves as a critical alert to the nation, emphasizing the urgency of protecting civil rights and democratic principles in the face of recent federal actions. The report calls for collective action to resist policies that threaten to reverse decades of progress toward racial equality and social justice.