Barr Proves He Will Not Protect Our Civil Rights as Attorney General

Civil Rights Enforcement News 01.15,19

January 15, 2019

For Immediate Release
Contact: Shin Inouye, 202.869.0398, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Kristine Lucius, executive vice president for policy at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to William Barr’s performance during his confirmation hearing to be U.S. Attorney General:

“William Barr had the opportunity today to prove to all of us that he could be the independent, fair Attorney General America needs right now. He failed.

“The stakes are very high with this nomination. For two years, this administration has undermined the rule of law and attacked our civil and human rights. The Sessions Justice Department doubled down on the War on Drugs, threatened LGBTQ equality, curtailed a key tool to fix unconstitutional conduct, and spearheaded the revocation of DACA and the policy separating children from their parents – and locking them up in cages. Barr has shown he will not change course.

“As the nation’s top law enforcement agency, the U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for protecting the civil rights of all people in America. It is a core function. We need an Attorney General who is committed to doing that job, not Sessions 2.0. Senators should vote against Barr’s confirmation.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.