National Urban League Issues 'State of Emergency' for Civil Rights in New Report

On July 17, 2025, during its annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, the National Urban League (NUL) released its 49th "State of Black America" report, declaring a "state of emergency" for democracy and civil rights in the United States. The report, titled "State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights, and Progress Under Attack," highlights a coordinated effort to reverse decades of progress for Black Americans.

The NUL's report criticizes federal actions perceived as undermining civil rights protections, including the weakening of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the transformation of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division into a tool for political retribution. It also condemns the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and expresses concern over the rise of digital extremism.

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 critical benchmark for assessing racial equality in the U.S.

The 2025 report marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting. The current challenges highlighted by the NUL indicate a reversal of the progress achieved since the Act's passage.

The report details systematic efforts to dismantle civil rights safeguards established over the past six decades, including the weakening of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the transformation of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division into a tool for political retribution. The NUL highlights new barriers to voting, such as restrictive ID laws, purging of voter rolls, and limitations on early voting, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The report condemns the backlash against DEI efforts, noting that far-right extremists have reframed these policies as "woke" and anti-American, leading to their dismantling in various sectors. The NUL expresses concern over the increase in digital platforms enabling the spread of extremist views and the alleged censorship of Black activists, which mirrors the rollback of rights occurring in courts and legislatures.

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "A democracy willing to destroy itself rather than deliver justice is a democracy in crisis." He further stated, "This is not business as usual. This is an emergency. The National Urban League urges vigilance, mobilization, solidarity, and support."

The findings of the 2025 report suggest a significant regression in civil rights and democratic principles, potentially leading to increased disenfranchisement and marginalization of Black communities. The rollback of DEI initiatives and voting rights protections threatens to widen existing disparities in education, employment, and political representation.

The report references the influence of conservative initiatives like Project 2025, coordinated by The Heritage Foundation, which outlines strategies for conservative governance. Additionally, it criticizes major corporations, universities, and law firms for reversing DEI policies, and social media platforms for alleged censorship of Black activists and enabling the spread of extremist views.

The National Urban League's 2025 "State of Black America" report serves as a clarion call to address the current threats to democracy and civil rights. It emphasizes the need for collective action to safeguard the progress achieved over the past six decades and to continue striving for a more just and equitable society.