Lucy Parsons Labs

Lucy Parsons Labs (LPL) explores technology’s role in creating harm, and counters it through investigations, litigation, and education. Through investigations, LPL systematically researches criminalizing technologies deployed by both public and private actors. The organization’s education work focuses on raising awareness about the functions and impacts of surveillance in Chicago and across the United States. It supports the growth and sustainability of community-based organizing for justice, protection of civil liberties and civil rights, and demands for government accountability. Finally, LPL’s litigation initiative partners with attorneys at firms in Chicago to challenge technologies that violate civil liberties and civil rights. The award supports LPL’s general operations.

Lucy Parsons Labs (LPL) is an expert on the role technology can play in creating harm in society and challenging it through investigation, education, and litigation. The organization prioritizes working alongside Black and Brown-led grassroots organizations and other historically marginalized communities to strengthen civil rights and civil liberties in Chicago and beyond. Through investigation, LPL systematically examines the impact of surveillance and other harmful technologies deployed by public and private actors and disseminates its work in partnership with independent journalism organizations and to its grassroots partners. LPL’s educational programing seeks to create deeper connections between grassroots movements working on core social justice issues and public interest technology concerns. Finally, the organization partners with lawyers to challenge technologies that violate civil liberties and civil rights. Through litigation, LPL holds the powerful accountable for harm committed against historically marginalized communities. The award provides general operating support to LPL.