National Urban League Declares ‘State of Emergency’ for Black America in 2025 Report

July 23, 2025

The National Urban League has issued its most urgent warning yet, declaring a "state of emergency" for democracy and civil rights in America in its 49th annual State of Black America report. The report details what it describes as a coordinated campaign to reverse progress for Black Americans, highlighting threats including the rollback of voting rights, transformation of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, digital extremism, and attacks on diversity initiatives. National Urban League President Marc H.

Who is affected

Black Americans
Women of color entrepreneurs (specifically those eligible for the Fearless Fund's grant program)
Progressive political candidates (whose accounts were reportedly blocked during the 2024 election)
Organizations with diversity and equity programs
Voters (particularly those impacted by voting rights rollbacks)
Civil rights organizations and advocates

What action is being taken

The National Urban League has launched the Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives division
The organization has established the 21 Pillars for Public Safety framework
The League is coordinating the Fair Budget Coalition to push for an inclusive FY2026 federal budget
The Urban League has filed legal challenges alongside Lambda Legal and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund against executive orders targeting diversity and equity
The organization has published its 49th annual State of Black America report to raise awareness

Why it matters

The report identifies what it describes as a systematic dismantling of civil rights protections, voting access restrictions, and attacks on diversity initiatives that threaten decades of progress for Black Americans. It points to specific concerns including the hollowing out of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, dismissal of cases against election deniers, pardoning of January 6th rioters, and targeting of DEI efforts as "woke" and "anti-American." The situation is characterized not as routine policy shifts but as a deliberate, coordinated effort to reverse progress toward a more inclusive America, affecting democratic principles and civil rights protections.

What's next

The National Urban League's response includes a broad campaign of legal challenges, advocacy, and community organizing. It has launched the Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives division, established the 21 Pillars for Public Safety framework, and coordinated the Fair Budget Coalition to push for a "just and inclusive FY2026 federal budget." The League has also filed suit challenging executive orders that target diversity and equity initiatives, working alongside Lambda Legal and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer