Legal Defense Fund

Courts / Education

Federal court denies injunction request in UA student magazine closure suit

While the suit is still ongoing, the decision will allow the magazines to remain closed, drawing sharp condemnation from a student press defense organization.

May 28, 2026

UA students sue university over suspended student publications

Plaintiffs argued administrators committed unlawful viewpoint discrimination by shuttering and defunding two campus magazines last December.

March 24, 2026

Federal judge: Montgomery state Senate district violates Voting Rights Act

A federal judge found the state Senate map diluted the voting power of Black Alabamians, requiring a redrawn Montgomery-area district.

August 25, 2025

Legal Defense Fund calls for voter rights 12 years after Shelby v. Holder

With precelarance ruled unconstitutional, Alabama quickly returned to drawing district lines that deprived Black voters of political power.

June 26, 2025

Plaintiffs seek preliminary injunction in SB129 suit

A federal lawsuit was filed earlier this month, and SB129 took effect in October.

January 31, 2025

LDF joins lawsuit challenging racist electoral practices in Newbern

The plaintiffs claim that they have continually faced unlawful discrimination in attempting to vote and hold office in Newbern.

September 13, 2023

LDF sends letter to reapportionment committee urging adoption of VRA Plaintiffs’ Plan

In the letter the LDF states that the VRA Plan will best comply with the concerns of the Supreme Court and the federal district court’s initial injunction.

June 27, 2023

Alabama groups urge Secretary of State to publish uniform polling place list

Merrill said his office does not maintain the polling place lists and that the law requires county officials to post those lists.

November 1, 2022

SCOTUS offers few hints on question of Alabama voting maps

The court's conservative justices seemed to be searching for a way to back the state, but also offered criticism.

October 5, 2022

Incarcerated man alleges he was sexually assaulted by corrections officer

A judge found that officials at the prison were shielded by qualified immunity, but the incarcerated man had presented evidence of First Amendment violations.

August 17, 2022