Press Call Briefing: Ahead of Senate Hearing, National Civil Rights Leaders Call on DeVos to Protect Students

Media 06.2.17

WASHINGTON – On Monday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m. EDT, ahead of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, civil rights leaders will host a telephone press briefing to discuss the importance of protecting all students from discrimination and to express concern about past statements and actions of DeVos, which have signaled an unwillingness to enforce federal civil rights laws. Senators must hold the secretary’s feet to the fire on critical issues of civil rights that are central to the mission of the U.S. Department of Education.

The Department of Education, along with the Department of Justice, is responsible for protecting the civil rights of all children in America. At a time when the majority of public school students in America are children of color or from low-income families, the nation needs a Secretary of Education who is committed to enforcing our education laws and protecting students’ civil rights. DeVos has failed repeatedly in this regard.

National civil rights groups call on DeVos to explain how she will enforce federal civil rights law and promote equal educational opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, language, religion, immigration status, disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Too many young people experience discrimination, resulting in vastly different educational opportunities. Our nation’s children deserve to be represented by a leader who will stand up for them, enforce core nondiscrimination statutes in schools, and ensure equal protection under the law.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

WHAT: Press Call Briefing Ahead of Secretary DeVos’ Senate Hearing

WHEN: Monday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m. EDT

WHO:

  • Liz King, Director of Education Policy, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Fatima Goss Graves, Senior Vice President and President-Elect, National Women’s Law Center
  • Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
  • Mimi Corcoran, President & CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities
  • Janai Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc
  • Eric Rodriguez, Vice President, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, National Council of La Raza

DIAL IN INFORMATION:

Dial-in: 888 632 3382
Conference ID: DEVOS