Hearing Marks 6 Year Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Shelby Ruling
Washington, D.C. – Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, will testify before the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties at today’s hearing, “Continuing Challenges to the Voting Rights Act Since Shelby County v. Holder,” on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 2:00pm in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The testimony coincides with the six-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder.
Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement:
“It’s been six years since the Supreme Court issued one of the most devastating decisions that we have seen in modern times, Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder. The Shelby decision cut out the heart of the Voting Rights Act, resulting in the suspension of the Section 5 federal review process. Since that time, we have seen the floodgates of voter suppression open up all across our country in the form of voter purge programs, strict photo ID requirements, cuts to early voting opportunities, polling place closures and more. This crisis is one compounded by a Justice Department that has all but abdicated its responsibility to enforce remaining provisions of the Voting Rights Act. Congress must act now to restore the Voting Rights Act and address the crisis faced by minority voters and would-be voters in many parts of the country.”
You can view more information about the hearing here.
You can read Kristen Clarke’s testimony here.
About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 56th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.
Contact
Reynolds Graves, Lawyers’ Committee, RGraves@LawyersCommittee.org, 202-662-8375
