Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Thelma Mothershed Wair, a member of the historic Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. in 1957. The momentous group was met with violent confrontation and backlash as the first Black students to integrate the school after the […]
Saturday, July 20, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative for Texas’ 18th Congressional district, lawyer, and staunch civil rights advocate. With grace, intellect, and power, Representative Jackson Lee influenced countless issues of critical importance to the Black community. Representative Jackson Lee passed away on July 19, 2024. LDF President and […]
Friday, July 25, 2025 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of Ronald J. Tabak, a dynamic attorney, criminal justice advocate, and civil rights champion who dedicated his career to exposing the injustices in capital punishment cases. In 1985, Tabak joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. At the international law firm, Tabak developed Skadden’s […]
Thursday, April 16, 2020 | news
Robert Garcia (Courtesy of Community Partners) LDF mourns the loss of our colleague Robert Garcia, a lifelong civil rights advocate and LDF staff attorney from 1992 to 1996. In 2000, he founded and led the Los Angeles nonprofit legal and policy organization The City Project, which fights for equal access to public resources and healthy, […]
Monday, May 20, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Reverend William “Bill” Lawson, the beloved civil rights leader. Rev. Lawson passed away at 95 years old on May 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: “We mourn the loss of Reverend Bill Lawson, the […]
Friday, June 14, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Reverend James M. Lawson Jr., a pioneering civil rights leader who worked steadfastly to advance racial justice throughout his lifetime. Rev. Lawson Jr. passed away at 95 years old in Los Angeles, California. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: […]
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Harry Belafonte, a legendary social activist, artist, and actor. Belafonte died at 96 years old on April 25, 2023 in his Manhattan, New York home. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai S. Nelson issued the following statement: “We mourn the death of the civil […]
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Randall Robinson, a renowned and trailblazing civil rights advocate who was also a law professor and bestselling author. Robinson died at 81-years old on March 24, in St. Kitts, the Caribbean Island where he lived for the last 20 years of his life. […]
Sunday, December 29, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. A lifelong champion of human rights and powerful proponent of racial justice in America, President Carter broke new ground during his political career and presidency to establish crucial progress towards equality and civil rights, including in […]
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of Lee Porter, a fearless leader in the New Jersey community who worked tirelessly to ensure pathways to equitable and fair housing for all. Since 1971, Porter served as the executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey, where she fought housing discrimination and […]
