Civil and Human Rights Coalition Mourns Passing of Roger Wilkins

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the passing of Roger Wilkins:

“Roger Wilkins was a trailblazing attorney, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and an accomplished history professor. But most of all, he was a passionate advocate for social justice who worked tirelessly to secure civil rights for all Americans. Roger also helped found and was a major voice in the Free South Africa Movement, which contributed significantly to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the end of apartheid in that nation.

We are indebted to his life’s work and we mourn his passing. Our best thoughts and prayers are with his family and countless friends and colleagues whom he inspired through his incredible life and career.”

Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 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 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.