Center for Protest Law & Litigation

The Center for Protest Law and Litigation (the Center/CPLL) is a recently launched project of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF). As leaders in bringing high impact civil rights and First Amendment litigation in defense of justice movements for over 25 years, the PCJF has brought groundbreaking cases that have forced systemic changes in police handling of demonstrations. We have successfully created and implemented laws and policies restricting police tactics and conduct, opened up public spaces for free speech and assembly, and obtained tens of millions of dollars in damages for persons whose rights have been violated.

We handle complex constitutional rights litigation, including landmark First Amendment and Section 1983 cases, civil rights and anti-discrimination cases, economic justice issues, exposure of government misconduct and Freedom of Information Act cases, and defense of targeted communities and political organizations and activists. Our litigation work is integrated with outreach, education and advocacy working in partnership with affected groups, communities, activists and organizations and is focused ultimately on creating meaningful social, political and legal impact.

The Center is designed to protect and advance the rights of protestors to organize, assemble and demand justice around the country. We provide crucial support in defense of free speech rights both for affirmative civil litigation and for criminal defense of protestors swept up in political arrests, including in support of the movements for racial, social and environmental justice.