WASHINGTON— Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, today issued the following statement as Ryan P. Haygood begins his tenure as president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center:
“Ryan Haygood is one of the finest lawyers, and finest people I know. Throughout his career, Ryan has paired extraordinary legal skill with a deep commitment to the communities at the heart of the fight for civil rights and racial justice.
“At a moment when our institutions and fundamental rights are under sustained attack, the Southern Poverty Law Center will benefit enormously from Ryan’s clarity of purpose, strategic vision, and unwavering belief in the power of the people to help deliver justice. He understands that this work is not simply about defending past victories but about building power and institutions our communities need to shape their own futures.
“I have been fortunate to know Ryan as both a colleague and a friend, and I could not be more excited to see him take on this responsibility. The SPLC and broader civil rights community will be stronger because of his leadership. I look forward to working side by side with him in the movement for many years to come.”
