National Urban League's 2025 Report Declares 'State of Emergency' for Democracy

On September 5, 2025, 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 highlights a coordinated effort to reverse decades of progress for Black Americans, citing actions such as the rollback of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, suppression of voting access, and dismantling of diversity initiatives. It also addresses the transformation of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the rise of digital extremism. In response, the National Urban League has launched initiatives including the Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives division and the 21 Pillars for Public Safety framework.

The NUL's 2025 report serves as a critical alert, emphasizing the urgent need to address the rollback of civil rights protections and the threats to democracy. The organization's initiatives aim to counter these challenges and advocate for policies that promote equity, justice, and community safety.

Background

Founded in 1910, the NUL 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, published annually since 1976, assesses the social and economic status of Black Americans and serves as a call to action for policymakers and the public.

Key Findings of the 2025 Report

1. Voting Rights Rollbacks: The report criticizes the rollback of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, highlighting efforts to suppress voting access, particularly targeting Black and brown communities.

2. Dismantling of Diversity Initiatives: The NUL condemns the reversal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies by major corporations, universities, and law firms, viewing these actions as a coordinated effort to undermine civil rights frameworks.

3. Transformation of the Civil Rights Division: The report expresses concern over changes within the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, describing them as an "existential threat to civil rights enforcement."

4. Rise of Digital Extremism: The NUL highlights the role of social media platforms in enabling extremists to spread radicalizing views, criticizing companies like Meta and X for policies that allegedly silence Black voices and allow discriminatory content.

NUL's Initiatives in Response

1. Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives (EJSI) Division: Established in response to the social justice uprisings of 2020, EJSI provides advocacy strategy and rapid response to the NUL's affiliates. The division focuses on criminal justice reform, voting rights, and community safety.

2. 21 Pillars for Public Safety Framework: This comprehensive framework aims to redefine public safety and restore community trust. It centers on five key themes: collaborating with communities, accountability, changing divisive policing policies, transparency and data collection, and improving hiring standards and training. The framework has influenced policing reform legislation at both local and national levels.

Implications

• Erosion of Civil Rights Protections: The report suggests that recent policy changes and governmental actions threaten to undo progress made since the Civil Rights Movement, potentially increasing social unrest and exacerbating racial inequalities.

• Role of Digital Platforms: The NUL's critique of social media companies underscores the need for these platforms to address the spread of extremist content and ensure that their policies do not silence marginalized voices.

Conclusion

The National Urban League's 49th annual "State of Black America" report serves as a critical alert to the nation, emphasizing the urgent need to address the rollback of civil rights protections and the threats to democracy. The organization's initiatives aim to counter these challenges and advocate for policies that promote equity, justice, and community safety.