Civil Rights Movements & the Law

"Inside Out: Men Behind Bars," opening this week at The Invisible Theatre, brings the real stories of incarcerated men to the stage through research conducted inside Arizona's prison system.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court considered a case that could reshape the concept of birthright citizenship. During two hours of debate, the justices raised several key questions about an executive order’s definition of a right established in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

pspanThe role of police in U.S. democracy is at a dangerous crossroads. Although George Floyd’s murder in the summer of 2020 sparked a movement that put pol

Within hours of explosive sexual abuse allegations against labor leader César Chavez, officials at a California university took swift action and covered a statue of him.

Dolores Huerta gives Maria Hinojosa her first interview after a New York Times investigation, speaking about being sexually assaulted by Cesar Chavez and the “dark sacrifices” she made for the movement.

Columbia University’s Incite Institute offers more than 450 perspectives from the Obama White House and beyond.

The federal persecution of immigrants and white citizens alike lays bare the unstable logic of in-group power.

In this episode, Grace Khachaturian sits down with Rhea Ballard-Thrower, professor of law and dean of libraries at the University of Illinois Chicago, to share about her work teaching incarcerated individuals — a mission rooted in her belief in education as a catalyst for transformation.

"The ACLU was involved in excess of 1,190 cases in the U.S. Supreme Court as a party, counsel of record/ACLU attorney, or as the filer of an amicus (friend of the court) brief, during 94 of its first 100 years, ending in January 19, 2020. This handbook summarizes all the facts and statistics from its companion three-volume set of over 1,190 cases (from June 8, 1925, Gitlow v. New York), and contains three examples of the case summaries found in the three-volume set." -- Publisher's website.

Welcome We're an archival repository that preserves Latino history in Arizona and the Southwest. Since 1970, we've compiled a distinguished collection of manuscripts, photographs, books, newspapers, and ephemera. Today, we continue to acquire primary and secondary sources that complement the instructional and research needs of the ASU community and the general public. Somos un repositorio de archivos que preserva la historia de los latinos en Arizona y el suroeste. Desde 1970, hemos compilado una distinguida colección de recursos primarios y secundarios que complementan las necesidades de enseñanza y investigación de la comunidad de ASU y el público en general. What do we collect? / ¿Qué coleccionamos? Personal Records: Material that documents an individual’s life and achievements. (e.g. Diaries, Correspondence, Oral Histories) Family Records: Material that documents a family’s history and roots in Arizona and the Southwest. (e.g. Genealogy Records, Family Artifacts, Photographs) Organization Records: Material that documents an organizations history and their work with a community. (e.g. Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, Financial Records) Published Material: Material that focuses on Latino history and culture. (e.g. Rare Books, Newspapers, Recordings) Personales: Material que documenta la vida y logros de un individuo.  (e.g. Diarios, Correspondencia, Historias Orales) Registros Familiares: Material que documenta la historia y las raíces de una familia en Arizona y el suroeste. (e.g. Registros de Genealogía, Artefactos Familiares, Fotografías) Registros de Organización: Material que documenta la historia de las organizaciones y su trabajo con la comunidad. (e.g. Actas de la Reunión, Correspondencia, Registros Financieros) Material Publicado: Material que se concentra en la historia y cultura de Latinos. (e.g. Libros Raros, Prensa, Grabaciones) , Collections of note Franco and French Families Papers Documents the family's political and social presence in Arizona between the 1930s and the 1990s. Finding aid for the Franco and French Families Papers Los Mineros Photographs Documents the lives of Mexican and Mexican-American copper miners in Arizona and New Mexico between 1900s and 1970s. Finding aid for the Los Mineros Photographs Chicanos Por La Causa Records Documents the history of CPLC, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Latinos through education, economic development, social services and affordable housing since 1969. Finding aid for Chicanos Por La Causa Records , Information Access the collection Materials in this collection can be viewed by appointment in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138). Please make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or call 480-965-4932 for more information. Questions? Ask an Archivist Resources Chicano/a Research Collection Library Guide ASU Digital Repository Arizona Archives Online ASU Distinctive Collections Policies Camera Use Agreement Using our collections in publications , Nancy Godoy Associate Archivist [email protected] 480-965-2594

Welcome Black Collections, a new archival repository within the Community-Driven Archives Initiative at ASU Library, focused on creating a robust community collection dedicated to documenting the lived experiences of Black people living and thriving in Arizona. As part of the award-winning CDA Initiative established in 2017 with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Black Collections seeks to establish and implement programs and services that will engage, educate and empower Arizona’s Black community to preserve currently silenced narratives and history. Building this infrastructure and relationships with historically marginalized communities takes time and patience, a deep desire and passion to create change and highly trained students, staff and professionals. , Why create Black Collections? “I want Black Collections to be an important collection that the Black community of Phoenix and Arizona are proud of. Everybody deserves to have their stories documented and the ability to see themselves within the archival record. Black Collections is about working with community to preserve Black history and stories in Arizona.” – Jessica Salow, assistant archivist of Black Collections , Highlighted Collection J. Eugene Grigsby Jr. Documents the work and legacy of artist, educator and mentor of generations of young artists, Dr. Jefferson Eugene Grigsby, Jr. Visit the finding aid for the J. Eugene Grigsby Jr. Papers   , LIFT Initiative elevates Black Collections Black Collections was created as part of ASU’s LIFT (Listen, Invest, Facilitate, Teach) Initiative. In the fall of 2020, President Crow’s office shared a list of 25 actions to support Black students, faculty and staff. On point 23, the action reads, “ASU has committed to providing funding to sustain the Community-Driven Archives initiative in the ASU Library in order to enhance the historical record of and the university’s and library’s engagement with underrepresented communities.” You can help CDA and Black Collections recover ASU’s Black history to reflect the scholarship and academic accomplishments of the Black community. Make a gift today. , Information Access the collection Materials in this collection can be viewed by appointment in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138). Please make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or call 480-965-4932 for more information. Questions? Ask an Archivist Jessica Salow Assistant Archivist of Black Collections [email protected] , Resources Black Collections Symposium LibGuide Arizona Archives Online ASU Digital Repository ASU Distinctive Collections Policies Camera Use Agreement Using our collections in publications Connect with us Follow Community-Driven Archives on social media!     , News and blog More news Department of English celebrates 125th anniversary with special events, including a history exhibit Read more about the "Department of English celebrates 125th anniversary with special events, including a history exhibit" article Local athletes get crash course on Black history in Arizona Read more about the "Local athletes get crash course on Black history in Arizona" article ASU Library collection captures robust history of Arizona Read more about the "ASU Library collection captures robust history of Arizona" article University Archives chronicles more than 140 years of Sun Devil history Read more about the "University Archives chronicles more than 140 years of Sun Devil history" article , ASU Events

An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions.

Podcast Episode · The Press Room · 09/26/2025 · 27m

Community is vital in Jewish ritual and tradition, and the High Holidays are no exception, a Judaic studies scholar writes.

As the justices make their final preparations this week for the start of the 2025-26 term, they’ll also address the latest request for a stay of execution.   Victor Tony […]

Decision reversed lower court ruling that weakened zoning restrictions put in place decades ago to preserve lands

Join us in honoring Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15). Below is a roundup of blog posts, exhibits, and other resources from our member libraries. Arizona State University Chicano/a Research...

The deadly shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has revived debate and conversation over free speech on college campuses.

Beverly Daniel Tatum on antisemitism, ‘the hardest in the US’, and DEI as the White House targets higher education

In September 2025, John Roberts Jr. will mark the 20th anniversary of his confirmation as Chief Justice of the United States. Roberts and his conservative colleagues on the court thus far have etched legacies in a number of areas of the law, but only one has major implications for democracy’s future.

Writing that it “wants out of this abhorrent system of racial discrimination,” Louisiana on Wednesday told the Supreme Court in the case of Louisiana v. Callais to leave in place […]

Historical Background The history of capital punishment in the United States reflects a cycle of reform, reinstatement, and continued controversy. In 1972, the Supreme Court’s decision in Furman ...

The move comes after Ivy League universities Columbia and Brown struck settlements that require them to release information about applicants’ race.

"My Father's House is both a biography of iconic African-American Congressman John Conyers Jr. and his more than half-century of groundbreaking legislation, and a son's memoir of leveraging his own voice in a world that his father helped create"-- Provided by publisher.;My Father's House by John Conyers III is a reflective tribute to his father, Congressman John James Conyers, Jr., blending personal memoir with political history. It offers an intimate portrait of Conyers as both a civil rights icon and a complex family man, highlighting his legislative legacy and his mentorship of key national figures. Through his son's eyes, the book humanizes the giants of the civil rights era and underscores their enduring influence on modern American politics.

Carla Hayden, the first African American to hold the post, was fired over diversity initiatives.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Join ARL in honoring this community by viewing our round-up of events, blog posts, and resources from our member libraries. Events | Blog...

ARL shines a spotlight on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage during the month of May. View our round-up of events, blogs, and other resources. Events | Blog...