The court expressed concern about the executive orders’ characterization of equity-focused programs as “immoral and illegal” and questioned the vague, undefined terms targeting equity work.

This is a truly significant first step that allows us to continue our mission, at least for now. We are dedicated to our core purpose: preparing women to enter and succeed in high-wage skilled trades that enable them to put food on their tables and better the quality of life for their families.

Below is the statement from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Statement from Sabrina Talukder, senior counsel with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Economic Justice Project and plaintiff’s attorney regarding the temporary restraining order in a case about the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders:

“The court granted a temporary restraining order that will stop the enforcement of key provisions of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders against Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). This is a critical step in ensuring that the organization can continue the important work it leads – helping women put food on the table through careers in the skilled trades and making job sites safer for thousands of women over the last four decades.

“Now, our focus turns to seeking a preliminary and eventually a permanent injunction to fully safeguard CWIT from being targeted for its work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in the skilled trades. Organizations like our client in this case promote these programs to create a fair and someday, a level playing field. They are still at risk of being unjustly silenced and defunded. Everyday Americans stand to lose if nonprofits doing the critical work of advancing gender and racial equity cannot continue their work.”

Scope of the temporary restraining order:

1. The temporary restraining order lasts for 28 days from the day it is issued. The Court has the discretion to extend it for longer.
2. The scope of the order has three parts. First, the Department of Labor is temporarily enjoined from canceling or pausing any of Chicago Women in Trades’ grants based on the Termination provision. Second, the Department of Labor is enjoined requiring any grantee or contractor nationwide from making any certification. Third, the Government shall not initiate any Federal Claims Act enforcement action against CWIT pursuant to the certification provision.

View the statement on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law website:

https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/statement-from-lawyers-committee-senior-counsel-sabrina-talukder-on-temporary-restraining-order-in-anti-dei-executive-orders-case/