It Was Wrong in 1954, It’s Wrong Now

Courts News 12.3,19

Senate Should Not Confirm Nominees Who Think “Separate But Equal” Is an Open Question

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rafael Medina, [email protected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON – Lena Zwarensteyn, Fair Courts campaign director at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the confirmation of Eric Komitee (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York) and the Senate’s vote to advance the nomination of John Sinatra (U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York), both of whom refused to affirm that Brown v. Board of Education was correctly decided:

“The Senate wasted no time after returning to work by quickly moving to confirm and advance Trump’s judicial nominees, Eric Komitee and John Sinatra, respectively, who failed to uphold the lowest moral floor.

“This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s unanimous Brown v. Board ruling that struck down the shameful doctrine of ‘separate but equal.’ But today, our Senate is confirming lifetime nominees who think that decision is actually an open question.

“We call on Senate leaders to set higher standards for individuals who are expected to uphold our civil and human rights. When individuals for lifetime appointments refuse to say Brown was correctly decided, it sends a disturbing message — one that speaks loudly about this administration’s agenda.”

Read The Leadership Conference’s letter and updated list of nominees who we are calling on senators to oppose — all of whom refused to state unequivocally that Brown was correctly decided —, as well as the latest edition of “This Week in Judicial Nominations” here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 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.