Violence Reduction

Connie Rice: Why Lawsuits & Protests Aren’t Enough to Save Democracy

Civil Rights Lawyer

Civil Rights Movement

Community Policing

Los Angeles Politics

muslim public affairs council

Protest to Power

Public Safety Reform

salam al-marayati

Systemic Change

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

Violence Reduction

On August 12, 2026 By MPAC

In this powerful episode of The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati sits down with nationally acclaimed civil rights attorney and activist Constance L. "Connie" Rice. Having won over $10 billion in class action settlements and policy changes - including the largest civil rights settlement in U.S. history - Connie Rice shares why winning in court wasn't enough when her clients were still dying in the streets. She breaks down her shift from suing the LAPD to partnering with them to pioneer public health community policing, the limits of court litigation, and why modern protest movements fail when they aren't tied to power infrastructure. Salam and Connie also dive deep into the current threat of authoritarianism, structural economic inequality, and what it takes to protect the constitutional order. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Connie Rice’s Legacy 01:41 - Winning Lawsuits While Clients Were Dying 03:28 - From Suing the LAPD to Transforming Police Culture 11:23 - Why the 1960s Civil Rights Playbook Doesn't Fit Today 18:18 - Analyzing the Authoritarian Threat & Systemic Disinvestment 23:15 - Protests vs. Power: The Pitfalls of Modern Movements 32:42 - Grocery Bills, Economic Despair & Political Realities 50:41 - Gaza, Media Coverage, and U.S. Foreign Policy Double Standards 01:10:03 - Why Los Angeles Politics Fail Everyday Citizens Subscribe & Follow: Subscribe to MPAC on YouTube for more long-form conversations and analysis. Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Learn more at [mpac.org]. Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give.