Aug. 27 – The 14th Amendment Under Fire: A Black August Conversation

Black August is a time to honor the legacy of Black-led resistance—past and present—and to take action for freedom. This year, ARRT and Catalyst California are joining forces to host a timely conversation on the 14th Amendment, one of the most important constitutional guarantees of rights in the United States.

The 14th Amendment established due process, equal protection, and birthright citizenship—rights born out of Black freedom struggles during Reconstruction. Today, these rights are under attack. With the rise of federal policing power, threats to immigrant rights, and attempts to weaken protections for communities of color, the stakes could not be higher.

This panel will explore the history, current threats, and the path forward for protecting these essential rights, and the role of solidarity in defending a multiracial democracy.

Moderator: Dr. John Dobard – Scholar and civic leader

Panelists:

• Lisa Holder – EJS President, civil rights attorney and advocate
• Dr. Cheryl Grills – Professor of Psychology, activist, and community leader
• Anjelica Salas – Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
• Kevin Cosney – California Black Power Network

Goals of the Conversation

• Highlight the legacy of Black-led struggles in shaping U.S. democracy
• Explain the stakes of current attacks on due process, equal protection, and birthright citizenship
• Build solidarity across movements to defend the 14th Amendment
• Inspire action to protect constitutional rights for all communities

Presented by Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation & Truth (ARRT) & Catalyst California