This year, your support tore down fences, crushed an ICE subpoena, and stopped the feds from silencing dissent.
Last March, an anonymous Reddit user received a life-changing notice. The federal government had demanded that Reddit unmask their identity – their name, financial records, and every public and private aspect of their account – because they criticized ICE online. Because of you, they didn’t have to face the feds alone. Your solidarity put CLDC right beside them. Now we need you to stand beside the next activist targeted by the government. Help us reach our end-of-year goal of $175,000 so we can keep activists in the fight.
Imagine receiving a federal summons because you shared your opinion online.
“When Reddit first notified me of the summons, I was alarmed and fearful.”
One Battle After Another
CLDC’s expert legal team boldly stood behind J. Doe when he needed it most. When we exposed the illegality of summons in San Francisco federal court, the government withdrew it.
“This news [of the summons getting withdrawn] today is a major relief for me and for my family. This is not just a win for one person but for anyone who speaks out against government abuses.”
The victory was just the first step – the same day the San Francisco case was dismissed, the feds whipped around and issued a federal grand jury subpoena to Reddit, demanding even more private information. CLDC stood up to fight once more, arguing that J. Doe’s speech was constitutionally protected and they were being targeted solely for criticizing ICE.
This hidden hero currently awaits a federal appeals court’s ruling. Their activism is a reminder that if we do not defend our rights, we’ll lose them. Your donations enable CLDC to stand with more heroes facing illegal governmental repression tactics.
In It for the Long Haul
In Springfield, Oregon, Claire and Kinaya, two of the co-founders of Black Unity, were determined to shine a light on the systemic racist responses to the Black Lives Matter movement. When BU held a lawful march in 2020 to protest a racist incident, Springfield police colluded with far-right violent counter-protesters, resulting in excessive force against marchers and illegal surveillance of First Amendment activity.
“We were beaten down, herded into a nightmare, and told never to return. So, we did what we’ve always done. We told the truth.”
Claire and Kinaya didn’t back down – they stepped forward and fought back. They kept showing up for six years until a federal judge issued a lengthy and strongly-worded opinion allowing all of Black Unity’s claims to proceed to trial. The City promptly agreed to a significant settlement.
Authoritarianism attempts to control and silence everyone – individuals, organizations, entire news outlets – who dares to speak against corruption. Donors like you keep showing up for CLDC, and because you do, we can keep showing up for activists like Claire and Kinaya.
“This settlement…helps pave the way for future activists. It reiterates that people of color, and those who stand against police misconduct, still have the right to peacefully protest.”
Courage Under Fire
Last November, the Trump administration issued “emergency” rules that criminalized “loud or unusual noise” outside of federal buildings. Following this, Anna, Chloe, and several other Eugene activists were arrested in Eugene. Their crime? Using megaphones to express dissent about the government’s immoral and unconstitutional immigration practices.
Despite facing federal criminal charges, the group bravely decided to sue the feds. With CLDC’s movement lawyers to back them, their lawsuit prevailed, and the judge struck down the unconstitutional rule.
“Every day, people show up and protest ICE. They just want to stand on the corner and hold signs and they are afraid to do so. We need to show courage and continue to exercise [our rights] even in the face of federal intimidation, or we’ll lose them forever.”
Evildoers don’t give up easily, and DHS responded by erecting a large metal fence – blockading Eugene’s historic Free Speech Plaza and public sidewalks. But several courageous activists stepped in, and with CLDC’s support, they, too, sued the Trump regime for violating the Constitution. And again, the judge ruled in our clients’ favor, forcing the removal of the fence.
“Today’s preliminary injunction ensures that people who want to speak out against the civil rights abuses of this regime can do so with less fear of violence.”
Why This Moment Needs You
These heroic stories demonstrate what is possible when activists get full-spectrum legal support from CLDC’s movement lawyers – not just an attorney to step in when the heat is turned up, but an organization deeply committed to protecting dissent for the long run.
You make it possible for us to engage at every level:
Trainings
Before a protest, we offer not just Know Your Rights & Risks trainings, but risk assessments, digital security trainings, and attorneys who provide up-to-date information on legal tactics being used nationwide. We’ve provided over 218 risk assessments, and 20 trainings in 2026.
Criminal Defense
Upon arrest, CLDC steps in to provide unparalleled legal representation, so the movement doesn’t need to slow down. Our criminal defense team showed up for 48 activists this year.
Proactive Civil Litigation
When the government oversteps, we stop them in their tracks. This year we represented 16 clients in lawsuits against the government.
Civil Defense
How we ensure the government doesn’t win – when our expert lawfare attorneys face them, they don’t stand a chance. We’ve represented 12 SLAPP/lawfare clients since January, and haven’t lost one case yet.
Follow-Through
We represent our clients from arrest through appeal in criminal and civil court, and even through grand jury proceedings.
To our knowledge, CLDC is the only organization that provides this continuity of legal support – from the streets to the courtroom, through the multiple phases that arise in litigation – no matter the threat. Right now, we are representing frontline activists in Minneapolis, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, California, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington, Virginia, and Michigan, and we receive more requests for representation every day.
The need for CLDC’s work is at its highest level ever in our 23-year history. To meet that demand, we need more movement lawyers to join our team and fight back against authoritarianism. If you’ve been looking for ways to support the fight, consider this your invitation.
The state uses its unlimited resources to slow the movement down. The movement needs you to step up – and we know we can count on you!
Here’s What Your Gift Will Do
$50 - You get them in the door. Rapid legal intake and case assessments are crucial for an activist who was just targeted by the government.
$100 - Prepares the frontlines for the fight. Know Your Rights & Risks trainings and legal risk assessments ensure activists know how to stay safer before they hit the streets.
$250 - Puts tools in their pocket. A box of laminated cards with legal tools to exercise Constitutional rights instills confidence on the frontlines.
$500 - Gets our lawyers into the courtroom. Court filing fees are crucial to litigating, no matter what state we’re called to next.
$1,000 - Provides security for orgs who need it. Frontline groups want to armor up – and CLDC has all the experience to help them do just that.
Want to sustain the movement for the long haul? Join the Defenders Circle. Monthly donations fuel our fight for civil liberties, so the next time we get a call for support, we know we have the resources to show up.
“Where else could people who would like to be activists get legal help at no cost that is so kind, helpful, serious and badass? You make it possible for us to keep taking action.”
Support the Future of Protest
When you join Justice for Generations, our planned giving program, you can feel confident knowing that you’ve done your part…for generations to come!
Next time you see protesters in front of your local federal building or courthouse, remember: it’s their activism that keeps the government in check, and you’re the reason we can keep showing up to support them.
“At 88 I have seen a lot of life. We have a lot to lose with leaders committed to destroying democracy. Who would not support an organization with the courage to take on this fight?”