Washington Women Lawyers Public Statement

The First Amendment – A Fundamental Cornerstone of Our Democracy

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievance."

The language may be old; the message has not changed. The First Amendment protects:

• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of the Press
• Freedom to Assemble
• Freedom to Petition

Washington Women Lawyers affirms that protecting constitutional freedoms and promoting equality are not mutually exclusive goals. A legal profession that fully integrates women and rejects discrimination depends both on strong constitutional protections and on a shared commitment to dignity, fairness, and equal access to opportunity. WWL strongly condemns violence, intimidation, or retaliation against individuals who are peacefully exercising their constitutional rights to protest and to seek redress of grievances. Women know all too well that systems of oppression attempt to silence dissent through violence and intimidation.

We respect the First Amendment and the foundational role it plays in our democracy. The freedom of speech, association, and expression protects robust dialogue, dissent, and advocacy — tools that have historically been essential to advancing women's rights and achieving greater equality under the law.

We firmly support the continued defense of First Amendment rights while also standing firm in our mission to challenge discrimination, expand opportunity, and ensure that women in the legal profession can participate fully, safely, and equally. Upholding both constitutional principles and equal rights strengthens our profession and our society as a whole. The right to peaceful assembly and free expression is a cornerstone of our democracy, and violence against protesters undermines both public safety and the principles of justice and accountability that lawyers are sworn to protect.

As members of the legal profession, we have a responsibility to speak out when laws are enforced in a discriminatory manner, when constitutional rights are threatened, and when fear is used to silence voices — particularly those of marginalized communities. This is our reaffirmation of our commitment to equality, due process, and the protection of civil rights, and we call for policies and practices that reflect these shared values.

We remember those who have been killed by I.C.E. actions. We also remember the families here in Washington who have been — and continue to be — traumatized due to federal immigration enforcement operations and by violations of constitutional and states' rights.

We encourage members of the legal community to consider taking the following steps:

• Exercise Your Rights. Participate in peaceful protests in your local community.
• Know Your Rights at Protests. If stopped by police, stay calm, keep hands visible, and ask if you are free to leave. You have the right to record police and I.C.E. interactions in public, but you cannot interfere with law enforcement operations. Learn more from the ACLU.
• Make Your Voices Heard. Contact your federal, state, and local representatives. Attend town hall meetings, email or call your local officials to voice your concerns about issues facing our communities to hold them accountable for respecting our constitutional rights.
• Register to Vote. As part of the 100-year celebration of the 19th Amendment, the WWL recognizes that equal access and the right to vote has been denied to communities of color, and the struggle has continued for many decades following 1920 to ensure all women have the legal right to vote. While the 19th Amendment passed in 1920, equal access to the ballot was systematically denied to women of color through poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation for decades thereafter, with full voting rights protections not secured until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — and those protections remain under threat today. Register to vote and ensure that your vote counts.

WWL is committed to continuing the conversations and advocating for both women and for constitutional protections. Stay informed. Connect with your local community members.