Jill Collen Jefferson

Civil & Human Rights Attorney. Dragon slayer. Faith keeper. Bliss lover. I go into the trenches w/ you and find a way to freedom. Founder of @julian_crhr

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

This study covers 7 southern states—the ones historically with the most lynchings.

[The Root @TheRoot]

Historians have argued the last lynching in the U.S. happened in 1981, but a new report suggests Black folks are still being targeted because of the color of their skin, with over 70 alleged cases from the last 25 years.

[Axios @axios]

Civil rights group documents 70 alleged "modern-day lynchings" across 7 Southern states https://t.co/F3Q8DkiSkc

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

JULIAN spent 18 months, looking at thousands of cases, to create this report. Thanks to @TheRoot for covering.

[The Root @TheRoot]

New Report Shows Lynchings in America Never Stopped… They Only Evolved https://t.co/BCQKodI0kK

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Today marks the anniversary of Ahmaud Arbery’s death. We honor him on page 121 of A Crimson Record. Lynchings have evolved, but they have not disappeared.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Thank you @theGrio for a great story!

[theGrio.com @theGrio]

More than 70 suspected lynchings have occurred in the Deep South since 2000, a recent report shows.

#OnTheGrio
https://t.co/wq0HGDUX77

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

In parallel, JULIAN built the beta version of the first national independent Modern-Day Lynching & Hate Crimes Database.
Truth requires documentation.
Accountability requires records.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Over 18 months, we researched thousands of cases across seven Southern states — from Texas to Florida — tracking patterns across race, age, gender, and geography.
For the first time, modern-day lynchings have been analyzed at scale.

[JULIAN @JULIAN_CRHR]

For nearly 130 years, Ida B. Wells’ A Red Record stood as a defining account of lynching in America.
This February, JULIAN released A Crimson Record — the first 21st century study of modern-day lynchings in the United States.

https://t.co/RqJKLIM7sQ

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

We defined “modern-day lynching” & expanded its scope to include killings long excluded from classification, including certain deaths of transgender and Indigenous women. Naming is accountability. We cannot reform what we fail to name. We cannot address what we refuse to measure.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Victories!!! @JULIAN_CRHR

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Thomas Jefferson founded @UVA on academic freedom. I’m disappointed in my university for caving to authoritarianism when it was meant to reflect the essence of democracy. Didn’t know there were so many cowards in America, but we’re supposed to be the home of the brave? Stand up!

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

@realDonaldTrump is truly a dumbass. Why would any person with common sense boast to Iran that they gave us advance notice? Moments like this make me so pissed that America wasn’t smarter in November.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

At the G7, Trump said Mexico emptied its jails into America’s blue cities. Y’all, we can’t make this stuff up, and I know America is smarter than this.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Any southerner who ever stood up for states’ rights should be pissed about what’s happening in LA right now. #LosAngelesProtests

[National Police Accountability Project @NPAPjustice]

Trump's DOJ stepping back from federal oversight of the police is an attempt to disempower Black communities, shut down paths to accountability & silence resistance.

That's why we're continuing to fight for the residents of Lexington, MS. We're not backing down.

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

We are honored to co-counsel with you on this important appeal. Everyone, follow for updates.

[National Police Accountability Project @NPAPjustice]

Today we gathered in New Orleans, where we have filed an appeal on behalf of the people of Lexington, MS, one of many communities the DOJ has abandoned as they step back from their responsibility to enforce civil rights law & protect Black lives.
@JillCollen @JULIAN_CRHR

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

Philanthropy cannot wait for a “safer” time to be brave. This is the time. If you and others stand tall, we build a firewall for human rights. If you flinch, we all break.
We’re counting on your leadership. We see you. We thank you. We hope you’ll act. 💥✊🏾

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

@mackenziescott , this is a moment for courageous philanthropy. We urge you and your team: do not flinch in the face of rising authoritarianism. The fate of civil and human rights — and the survival of small grassroots orgs — depends on bold funders like you. 🧵

[Jill Collen Jefferson @JillCollen]

You’ve shown the world how transformative trust-based giving can be. We ask you now:
 → Stand firm in funding justice.
 → Uplift communities under attack.
 → Speak out with moral clarity.
 → Inspire other funders to act with courage, not caution.