In a powerful act of solidarity, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, alongside 68 other civil rights organisations, has addressed the acting assistant attorney general of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Their letter expresses grave concern regarding efforts perceived to threaten the integrity of vital federal civil rights laws. The call is for the DOJ and its Civil Rights Division to champion civil rights protections rather than undermine them, advocating for their role in defending all citizens’ rights.
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference, emphasised that the Civil Rights Division was meant to serve as a protective shield for all individuals, regardless of race, gender identity, or belief. She voiced strong discontent over the current administration’s perceived misuse of civil rights laws, advocating for rigorous protection of fundamental rights. The call to action is resonant: “Freedom from harm should not be a privilege.”
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, strongly echoed this sentiment, asserting that civil rights laws stem from the sacrifices of those who fought for equality. He warned against the misapplication of these laws as instruments of oppression, instead demanding adherence to their original purpose.
Expressing concern over the waning influence of the Civil Rights Division, Damon Hewitt, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, referred to it as the ‘crown jewel’ of the DOJ. He cautioned that if the Division shifts focus from protecting rights to violating them, it risks inflicting harm across the spectrum of American society.
Finally, Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens, passionately called for a revitalisation of the DOJ’s commitment to enforcing civil rights laws, vowing continued litigation and advocacy across the nation to ensure that fundamental rights are upheld. The organisations stand united in their objective to safeguard democracy and civil rights, binding themselves to a cause that resonates throughout history.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, along with 68 organisations, has urged the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to uphold civil rights laws, expressing concerns over their misuse for anti-civil rights agendas. Prominent leaders, including Maya Wiley and Derrick Johnson, condemned the perceived threats to civil rights protections, calling for the DOJ to serve as a protector for all citizens. The letter reflects a unified demand for commitment to justice and equality under the law.
The letter from The Leadership Conference and its coalition is a clarion call for the Department of Justice and its Civil Rights Division to recommit to their mandates of protecting civil rights for all. Strong statements from civil rights leaders encapsulate the urgency and necessity of upholding these laws, ensuring that they serve their intended purpose rather than become tools of oppression. With a shared resolve, these organisations pledge to fight relentlessly for civil rights and fundamental freedoms across American society.
Original Source: civilrights.org
