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WASHINGTON—The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke once led, as well as several other legacy civil rights organizations, congratulate Ms. Clarke on her successful tenure leading the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. Having assumed her role in 2021 during a time when racialized violence, hate, and racial division were rising dramatically, Ms. Clarke met the challenges by bringing the Civil Rights Division back to an era of incredible productivity and impact. Her years of leadership rank among the most consequential in the agency’s history. 

Among the many accomplishments of the Civil Rights Division: 

  • Prosecuted over 150 people accused of hate crimes and won more than 125 convictions, including the Georgia men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, while he was jogging, as well as the man charged with targeting Hispanic and Mexican people at a killing spree in El Paso, Texas, which left 23 dead and many wounded.
  • Opened 12 new pattern-or-practice investigations against law enforcement agencies, launching investigations into systematic problems at police departments around the country. 
  • Secured convictions of 180 law enforcement officers for violating people’s rights. 
  • Enforced desegregation orders at 135 school districts that included almost 900,000 students and took enforcement action against discrimination in schools based on race, gender, or disabilities. 
  • Held banks and lenders accountable for modern-day redlining through lending discrimination and brought $150 million to communities of color victimized by these practices. 

Following are quotes from the principals of legacy civil rights organizations:

Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said: “I thank Kristen Clarke for all that she accomplished serving as the nation’s top enforcer of civil rights protections. The Civil Rights Division is known as the crown jewel of the Department of Justice. Kristen Clarke made sure that gem shined brightly when the nation needed it most. When she saw injustice, she took action, with a dogged determination and a sharp focus on results for real people. She prosecuted police officers who brutalized people of color and won systemic changes in police departments in multiple cities, including Louisville and Minneapolis. She brought justice for victims of hate crimes and for people with disabilities who faced discrimination.

“Ms. Clarke’s leadership is even more important because of its example; her life and career embody the American dream. She grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, facing poverty and racism firsthand and eventually earned degrees from Harvard and Columbia. Instead of focusing on herself, she focused on communities impacted by discrimination, having dedicated her entire career to public service. Our nation is better because of her work and her sacrifice. It has been a privilege to partner with her and the proud staff of the Civil Rights Division to bring justice to communities nationwide. I know she will continue that work wherever her path takes her next.”

Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, said: “Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s strong conviction, immense fortitude, and unwavering commitment to advancing racial justice are the foundation of her legacy of service and extraordinary accomplishments on behalf of the American people as the leader of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. AAG Clarke has consistently centered the needs of marginalized communities, worked to redress historical wrongs, and strategically used the Division’s resources to secure equal protection under the law. I especially commend her leadership in demanding accountability for discriminatory policing and other unconstitutional conduct, working to expand and protect access to the ballot, and directly confronting the scourge of racial bias in lending and other areas that have exacerbated the racial wealth gap. Thanks to Assistant Attorney General Clarke, our legal system, and indeed our nation, have moved ever closer toward justice and accountability to the benefit of us all.” 

Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, said: “The arc of justice moves forward when we remain vigilant and persistent in our pursuit of what is right. Under the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, the Civil Rights Office at DOJ protected voting rights, held accountable those who commit acts of hate, reforming police departments, to ensure our children can learn together regardless of their background, to fighting discrimination in our financial systems–these are the victories we fight for our movement. But they are not just victories–they are proof that our work continues through new generations who understand that democracy is not a state but an act. Her leadership shows that when good people organize, persist, and demand better, America can still live up to its highest ideals. Keep pushing forward, for as we always knew – freedom is not a state, but a constant struggle, and justice must be won anew by each generation.”

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said: “Kristen Clarke’s tenure as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her bold leadership has revitalized the fight for justice, safeguarding voting rights, combating systemic discrimination, and advancing equity across our nation. Assistant Attorney General Clarke’s unwavering dedication to civil rights has inspired countless advocates and transformed lives. She has stood as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, ensuring that the promise of America includes everyone. I am confident her work will continue to shape a more just and equitable future for our nation. While her tenure in this role may be coming to an end, her impact will resonate far beyond her time at the Department of Justice. On behalf of the National Urban League, I thank her for her service and her profound impact on our nation’s pursuit of justice and equality.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of National Action Network Founder, said: “Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke lived up to her mandate these last four years to do what was right for civil rights in this country. She undertook this work with diligence, fortitude, and determination to confront the rise of violent hate attacks, held bad actors in law enforcement accountable, and removed the economic barriers for Black Americans. As I noted when NAN honored her at the MLK Birthday Breakfast this week, those of us who saw her work in New York State expected nothing less as she led this crucial component of the Department of Justice. On behalf of the entire National Action Network, I want to thank Kristen Clarke for her service to this nation.”

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of NAACP, said: Over the past four years, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke has guided DOJ’s Civil Rights Division past the harms of 2016-2020 into a period of reparative justice. Under Clarke’s leadership, the Civil Rights Division reestablished accountability for protecting those most vulnerable, ultimately reinforcing the civil rights of all. Clarke’s leadership is grounded in Democratic values. Over four years, the Civil Rights Division expressed these values by bringing to justice those engaging in hate crimes, racism and bias, abuse of power, and voter suppression. The NAACP commends Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for this record of outstanding service. Democracy in the United States is stronger today because of her leadership, and we look forward to the future to come.”

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said: “Throughout her entire career, Kristen Clarke has fought tirelessly for civil rights and equal justice under the law for every person in this country, and her tenure as assistant attorney general for civil rights during the Biden administration was no different. Her tremendous and unwavering leadership since 2021 has ensured that the division — the ‘crown jewel’ of the DOJ — took its historic role seriously, and her commitment to enforcing the nation’s civil rights laws revitalized the division following the previous administration’s abandonment of this role. Her service mattered — and will continue to matter — and made a meaningful difference in the lives of so many across our country, including by challenging discriminatory voting laws, abortion restrictions, unconstitutional policing practices, and so much more. The Leadership Conference is incredibly grateful to Assistant Attorney General Clarke and all she has done to defend our rights, protect democracy, and move the nation forward.”

Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), said: “We thank Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for her steadfastness in her fight to elevate justice for all. Her leadership and dedication to civil rights over the years exemplifies what an assistant attorney general should be. As the first Black woman to lead the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, she has elevated accountability in advancing civil rights and equality. She has led the effort to combat hate crimes, promote fair housing, and ensure voting rights are protected. We salute her efforts that have strengthened protections and fostered justice for the marginalized. She truly has been iconic in supporting the mission of NCNW to empower Black women, their families and communities.”

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