MALDEF and the Evolution of Latino Civil Rights

Civil rights activism within the Latino community ranges from locally based, grassroots organizing to national organizations that rely on highly trained legal professionals and make appeals up to the US Supreme Court. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) is an organization that fits more handily into the latter category. Its stated mission is to protect and promote the civil rights of the 40 million Latinos living in the United States by fostering 'sound public policies, laws, and programs [and] making sure that there are no obstacles preventing this diverse community from realizing its dreams.'