The Office of Equity and Civil Rights is a city agency devoted to advancing equity and upholding the federal and local civil rights laws, the local living and prevailing wage laws ensuring access and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, and providing oversight of local law enforcement.
The mission of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights is to carry out activities to eliminate inequity, inequality, and discrimination.
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The pursuit of Civil Rights and equity in the United States has evolved through waves of struggle, resistance, and reform. From the abolition of slavery in the 19th century to the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century, each generation has expanded the definition of freedom and equity. Early victories like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) challenged segregation, while grassroots activism and mass mobilization pressed the nation to confront systemic racism. Over time, the movement for civil rights broadened beyond race, encompassing gender, disability, LGBTQ+, and immigrant rights, reflecting a growing understanding that equity requires dismantling multiple layers of exclusion and discrimination.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the March to Montgomery, Alabama, stand as watershed moments in this evolution. The march, sparked by the violent repression of peaceful demonstrators on “Bloody Sunday,” highlighted the brutality of Jim Crow and galvanized national outrage. The Voting Rights Act that followed outlawed discriminatory voting practices, empowering millions of Black Americans to exercise their political voice. This expansion of democracy reshaped the political landscape, proving that federal protections could be leveraged to dismantle systemic inequities, though the struggle to protect these gains continues in the face of modern voter suppression tactics.
The 10th anniversary of the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015 marks a more recent chapter in the pursuit of equity. Gray’s death while in police custody became a flashpoint for protests systemic racism and police brutality, echoing the civil rights battles of earlier decades but framed in the context of mass incarceration and modern policing. The uprising that followed forced national attention on racialized policing practices and fueled the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement. Like the Voting Rights Act and the Montgomery march, Gray’s legacy underscores that civil rights and equity are not static achievements but ongoing struggles that require vigilance, activism, and structural change.
“Together We Rise” is the guiding theme of Civil Rights Week 2025, reminding us of that progress toward equity and justice is never the work of one person or one generation alone, but the shared journey of communities standing united. From honoring the legacy of those who fought before us to empower today’s changemakers, the week’s events reflect the work of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) seven divisions, and our partners and the truth that when we lift each other up, we all move forward. Whether through dialogue, education, advocacy, or celebration, “Together We Rise” calls us to build bridges across differences and strengthen the bonds that hold our city together in the ongoing struggle for equity and civil rights.
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights is excited to invite you to join us for our annual Civil Rights Week from October 17th - 25th! We have several events scheduled throughout the week that touch on key topics including Police Accountability, Neighborhood Equity, Restorative Justice, and more! Check out some of what's happening below and sign up to join us. All events are free and open to the public. You can register to attend any of the events using this link Baltimore City Civil Rights Week 2025 - Eventeny.
Hope to see you there!
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Baltimore, MD 21201
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