We Must Protect Historically Black Colleges and Universities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janessa Sambola-Harris, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights released the following statement on the continued threats of violence against several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs):

“These ongoing threats of violence to Black educational institutions are deeply troubling, particularly as hate crimes have increased dramatically and as lawmakers across the country attempt to chill and outlaw the teaching of history in classrooms. HBCUs were established to educate Black students at a time when few other institutions would allow them entry. They have served as bastions of organizing for civil and human rights since their founding and continue to educate and promote our future leaders. The disruption to these students’ educational and emotional well-being is simply unacceptable. Every person deserves to live safe and secure. As a nation, we must confront the racism and white supremacy that infects every facet of our society, and root it out.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 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.

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