In 2003, Lauren Regan, CLDC’s Executive Director and staff attorney, in partnership with a group of environmental and social justice activists and attorneys, founded the Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC). The creation was an urgent response to a growing and increasingly crucial need for education and legal assistance within the progressive change movement in the post-September 11th era in which decrees like the PATRIOT Act were put in place. CLDC immediately developed a number of legal representation, education and outreach programs, offering free and reduced-rate legal assistance to activists, conducting national media interviews and commentary, and monitoring and challenging repressive legislation in the courts.

Our legal know-how, ability to effectively translate legalese, and litigation expertise, provide a foundation that activists can rely on to tackle the tough issues they are confronting. Additionally, the trainings we organize weave together to build activist skills, confidence, and awareness of what to expect from interactions with law enforcement or counter-protesters.