National Urban League Declares 'State of Emergency' for U.S. Democracy and Civil Rights

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

The report highlights several critical areas where civil rights and democratic principles are under threat:

• Dismantling of Civil Rights Protections: The NUL criticizes the administration for undermining civil rights frameworks through federal agency downsizing and suppression of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. It notes that since January 20, 2025, the federal government has been "set[ting] fire to policies and entire departments dedicated to protecting civil and human rights."

• Voting Rights Under Siege: The report expresses concern over efforts to dismantle the Voting Rights Act of 1965, particularly Section 2, which allows individuals and organizations to challenge racially discriminatory voting laws. The NUL warns that these actions could disenfranchise Black, disabled, immigrant, and elderly voters.

• Suppression of DEI Initiatives: The administration's crackdown on DEI programs in workplaces, colleges, and universities is highlighted as a significant concern. The report states that these efforts threaten to reverse decades of progress toward racial equity and inclusion.

• Corporate and Institutional Complicity: The NUL condemns major corporations, universities, law firms, and social media platforms for enabling discrimination or silencing Black voices. The report criticizes social media companies like Meta and X for purported "censorship" of Black activists and content moderation policies that allegedly enable extremists to spread radicalizing views.

Marc 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. This is not business as usual. This is an emergency."

The report also draws parallels to previous periods in American history where civil rights were under threat, such as the post-Reconstruction era and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It emphasizes the need for vigilance to prevent the erosion of hard-won rights.

The National Urban League's 2025 "State of Black America" report serves as a clarion call, highlighting perceived threats to civil rights and democracy in the United States. It underscores the need for vigilance, mobilization, and solidarity to defend the rights and principles that form the bedrock of American democracy.