National Urban League Declares 'State of Emergency' for Democracy and Civil Rights in 2025 Report

On July 17, 2025, during its annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, the National Urban League (NUL) released its 49th annual "State of Black America" report, declaring a "state of emergency" for democracy and civil rights in the United States. The report outlines a series of actions by the federal government under President Donald Trump that the NUL describes as a coordinated effort to reverse decades of progress for Black Americans.

The report, titled "State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under Attack," highlights several key concerns:

• Systematic Dismantling of Civil Rights Protections: The NUL accuses the federal government of systematically dismantling civil rights protections, suppressing voting access, and undermining diversity initiatives.

• Transformation of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division: The report expresses alarm over the downsizing of federal agencies responsible for enforcing civil rights policies and the transformation of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division into a tool for political retribution.

• Rollback of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: The NUL addresses the rollback of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, noting that almost daily, since January 20, 2025, the federal government, at the direction of the White House, has set fire to policies and entire departments dedicated to protecting civil and human rights.

• Rise of Digital Extremism: The report notes that social media platforms have enabled the spread of radicalizing views while censoring Black activists.

In response to these threats, the National Urban League has launched several initiatives:

• Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives Division: This division aims to address the challenges outlined in the report by focusing on equitable justice and strategic initiatives.

• 21 Pillars for Public Safety Framework: The NUL has established this framework to counter the threats to civil rights and democracy.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice for African Americans and other underserved communities. The "State of Black America" report, first published in 1976, serves as a comprehensive analysis of the social and economic status of Black Americans.

The declaration of a "state of emergency" underscores the perceived urgency in addressing the erosion of civil rights protections and democratic principles. The report's findings suggest a coordinated effort to reverse decades of progress for Black Americans, raising concerns about the future of racial equality and social justice in the United States.

This is not the first time the National Urban League has issued dire warnings about the state of democracy and civil rights. In 2022, the organization highlighted efforts by certain lawmakers and extremists to undermine democracy by disenfranchising voters, particularly targeting Black and brown communities.

The National Urban League's 2025 "State of Black America" report serves as a critical call to action, urging vigilance, mobilization, and solidarity to defend civil rights and democratic principles in the United States.