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Welcome to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Newsroom. This page contains our press releases, news clips and blog posts.

We have subject matter experts on civil rights issues ready to handle inquiries from journalists on such issues as voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, fair housing, educational opportunity, racial justice matters and more.

Looking to arrange an interview or book a speaker? Contact press@lawyerscommittee.org

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Trump administration reverses Obama-era guidance on use of race in college admissions

Jul 3, 2018 |

Said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: “The rescission of this guidance does not overrule forty years of precedent that affirms the constitutionality of a university’s limited use of race in college admissions. This most recent decision by the Department of Education is wholly consistent with the administration’s unwavering hostility towards diversity in our schools.”

Obama-Era Guidelines on Using Race in College Admissions Decisions To Be Reversed by Trump Administration

Jul 3, 2018 |

“We condemn the Department of Education’s politically motivated attack on affirmative action and deliberate attempt to discourage colleges and universities from pursuing racial diversity at our nation’s colleges and universities,” Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law told CNN. “This most recent decision by the Department of Education is wholly consistent with the administration’s unwavering hostility towards diversity in our schools.

Justice Department reverses Obama guidelines on race in school admissions

Jul 3, 2018 |

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law condemned the reversal as a “politically motivated attack on affirmative action. The rescission of this guidance does not overrule forty years of precedent that affirms the constitutionality of a university’s limited use of race in college admissions. This most recent decision by the Department of Education is wholly consistent with the administration’s unwavering hostility towards diversity in our schools,” Clarke said.

Starbucks’s ‘full-scale racial equity overhaul’ will take more than an afternoon, outside review says

Jul 2, 2018 |

In consultation with their attorneys, Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson worked with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to craft their own recommendations for Starbucks, which included sponsoring an SAT and college prep program for public school students in Philadelphia and developing a internal complaint process to investigate customer complaints of discrimination. “What happened to us shouldn’t happen to anyone,” Robinson said.

Kennedy’s departure from high court could benefit business interests

Jul 2, 2018 |

Under the [disparate impact] principle, lawsuits can be won when an action has an outsized negative effect on a specific ethnic, racial, gender or other group, even if there is no evidence of discriminatory intent. “The banking and insurance industries have set their sights on attacking the disparate impact standard,” said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She urged senators to grill Trump’s nominee on the issue during the Senate confirmation process expected later this summer.

When the Supreme Court Locks Arms With Republicans

Jun 28, 2018 |

“For the public to have confidence in the Supreme Court, we want to feel the justices are fairly and independently wrestling with the cases before them,” said Kristen Clarke, the president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, in an interview. “And, sadly, these last few weeks have felt both predictable and polarizing.”

‘Very Fine People on Both Sides’? Heather Heyer’s Alleged Killer Faces Hate Crime Charges.

Jun 28, 2018 |

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in a statement that the group was “pleased with the federal indictment” against Fields. She said the Trump administration must do more to “fully confront the growing hate crime crisis we are seeing across the country. Silence on the part of Attorney General Jeff Sessions was simply not an option as the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally stands as one of the most violent hate rallies to be carried out in this country in recent time.”

Elated v. Scared: Americans Are Divided on Justice Kennedy’s Retirement

Jun 28, 2018 |

“That swing vote has been critical in so many civil rights cases,” said Ms. Clarke, the director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “These have been some devastating moments for people who care about the most vulnerable in the country. These last few weeks of the court are just a reminder of how high the stakes are.”

The Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to voting rights this term

Jun 28, 2018 |

Kristen Clarke, the president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told ThinkProgress that states previously covered by the VRA and elections officials across the country have been emboldened by the Shelby County decision, and the Supreme Court has done nothing to stop them. “We are seeing a court that is narrowing access to the ballot box by endorsing state efforts that make it harder for people to vote.”

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