By Dave Mason
The Center Square

Illinois, California and Massachusetts are co-leading a coalition of Democratic attorneys general from 17 states filing an amicus brief to a lawsuit fighting federal orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

The brief was filed Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago. The brief is in support of Chicago Women in Trades v. President Donald Trump, et al., which is fighting Trump’s executive orders from January.

The amicus brief is urging the 7th Circuit to uphold a lower court’s decision to grant CWIT a partial preliminary injunction in the organization’s suit.

“Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are laudable goals that governments, schools, businesses, organizations, and others may lawfully pursue,” according to the brief.

Chicago Women in Trades helps women overcome discrimination, harassment and other obstacles to entering and staying in skilled trades, according to news releases from the attorneys general in California, Illinois and Massachusetts. CWIT’s website describes the organization’s mission as improving “women’s economic equity by increasing their participation in high-wage, blue-collar occupations traditionally held by men.”

CWT says Trump’s executive orders unlawfully threaten federal funding and First Amendment rights. The suit objects to the Trump administration’s requirement that recipients of federal grants and contracts don’t operate DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws.

Plaintiffs say Trump hasn’t defined what constitutes discriminatory DEI practices.

The amicus brief by the attorneys general says the executive orders harm residents and businesses in their states.

“I will stand with those who are challenging this administration’s illegal attempts to eliminate these programs and turn back the clock on the important progress that has been made toward equity,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he and his fellow attorneys general would continue to support those fighting “Trump’s bully tactics and anti-American orders.” He accused the president of using federal funding as leverage to suppress state and private entities’ right to express their values.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said studies aren’t needed to show DEI policies “improve our culture, boost our economy and strengthen our communities.”

In addition to Illinois, California and Massachusetts, the states filing the brief include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.