Activist Defense
The CLDC represents activists that, in the course of fighting for a better world, are arrested and criminally charged. We believe their courage deserves the best possible defense that can incorporate the political, social, and philosophical motivations of these activists.
Civil Cases
The CLDC engages in civil litigation to hold the powerful accountable and to protect the rights of activists and marginalized communities. Our civil litigation is aimed at holding governments, corporations, and the powerful accountable when they violate the constitutional rights of others. The civil practice of the CLDC is shaped and driven by a desire to create a lasting impact.
SLAPPs, RICO, & More: How Corporations Use U.S. Courts to Intimidate Opponents and Evade Justice
March 5, 2021
3:00 p.m. PT — 5:00 p.m. PT
Webinar--information provided upon registration
In collaboration with the University of Oregon's Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, CLDC's Lauren Regan and other environmental lawyers who have firsthand experience with the SLAPP threat — both in the U.S. and abroad — will discuss how extractive industries and their corporate lawyers are manipulating U.S. courts to target climate activists, immobilize public interest attorneys, and avoid accountability.
Lauren will also talk about how environmental lawyers can support those targeted by SLAPPs as cooperating attorneys, and about how to armor yourself against a frivolous SLAPP attack.
CLDC & PIELC VIRTUAL COCKTAIL HOUR
March 5, 2021
5:00 p.m. PT — 6:00 p.m. PT
Webinar--information provided upon registration
Kick back, relax, & join Lauren Regan, CLDC Executive Director, for some fun & festivities on Mozilla Hubs! Special musical performance by Casey Neill.
March 5 from 5-6 pm PT (after CLDC's presentation).
All webinar and PIELC attendees will receive a link in advance.
Security Culture, Grand Jury Resistance, & Ensuring Activist Network Safety
March 18, 2021
3:00 p.m. PT — 5:00 p.m. PT
Webinar--information provided upon registration
Join CLDC staff to learn more about how you can improve your digital & physical security practices to minimize the risk of corporate & government snooping, misinformation, & other interference.
We'll also discuss grand jury resistance — what that looks like & how activists can best support grand jury resistors & protect their community networks in the process.
CLDC Amends Civil Rights Suit After New Details About Police Misconduct Uncovered
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2021 Contacts: Lauren Regan, Executive Director and Senior Staff Attorney [...]
Court Agrees: Logging Giant Can’t Bully Advocates Again
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2021 Contacts: Lauren Regan, Executive Director and Senior Staff Attorney [...]
The New Water Wars: Big Timber, Bottled Water, and Corporate Law Firms vs. the People of Weed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2021 Contacts: Lauren Regan, Executive Director and Senior Staff Attorney [...]
Digital Security Recommendations for 2021
TLDR: Just look for the --> arrows and do some of these things. If you [...]
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SUPPORTING THE STRUGGLE
The Civil Liberties Defense Center supports movements that seek to dismantle the political and economic structures at the root of social inequality and environmental destruction. We provide litigation, education, legal and strategic resources to strengthen and embolden their success.
CLDC educates, supports and defends grassroots activists nationwide. We are dedicated to being a backbone for the grassroots and the frontlines. We help activists navigate the legal system, we represent them at no cost when they are arrested and we help them make smart choices in the face of state repression. We provide the necessary legal support so that activists can have long, sustainable lifetimes fighting in the movement for justice.
We also provide Know Your Rights and other legal trainings for activists and other vulnerable groups such as youth, tribes, the houseless community and the undocumented community. We believe that knowledge is power, and when people have the tools and understanding to take action and demand that the government honor all their rights, then grassroots activism will be the best chance of exacting necessary change.