Trump Executive Order Attempts to Reverse Civil Rights and Drive Division in Public and Private Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected] 

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to the issuance of an executive order that attempts to reverse civil rights, undermine progress, and drive division. It reverses core equal opportunity executive orders and pressures corporations, non-profits, schools, and professional associations to roll back diversity practices born out of the struggle against discrimination and for fairness and shared prosperity.

“As Americans, thanks to the struggles of the civil rights movement, we have, since the 1960s, embraced not only the principle of equality, but the principle that our nation thrives when everyone has the opportunity to succeed based on their skills and merit. Civil rights laws and their enforcement have been the backbone of our progress on more fairness and greater diversity, ensuring that no individual is denied a chance because of their race, gender, or background. 

“This sweeping executive order, under the guise of seeking fairness, is a brazen attack on civil rights laws and equal opportunity as a whole. It is a grievance policy that claims that people who feel victimized by fairness and who are uninterested in competition are those who the government should protect over people who have actually experienced discrimination and who have demonstrated their deservingness. It is an effort to erase foundational values and laws that ensure vulnerable people are helped — and not harmed — and that ensure essential protections are in place to empower so many to reach their true potential. It cannot, however, rewrite the laws that underpin our commitment to equality. While it aims to intimidate and confuse, civil rights advocates remain steadfast in protecting the rights of all individuals. Our fundamental laws continue to support diversity and equal opportunity, which are vital components of a vibrant American society.

“By rescinding a longstanding executive order that addresses discrimination in federal contracting — one that Republicans and Democrats alike have supported and that courts have upheld — this administration has signaled to large parts of the country that you need not apply. By acting as bully-in-chief and pressuring private corporations, individual businesses, and organizations to eliminate any policy designed to ensure people are evaluated fairly — and to ensure workers are supported and work together effectively to value diversity — the administration attempts to pressure these groups to abandon business practices that have made their institutions stronger and benefited their bottom line and our economy.

“By redefining equal opportunity initiatives as discriminatory, it threatens to investigate organizations committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, creating an atmosphere of fear that could suppress the very practices that have driven innovation and dynamism across sectors. It seeks to benefit some groups over others, which is the opposite of what civil rights laws demand.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of inclusive environments — ones where diverse perspectives lead to greater creativity, stronger problem-solving, and more robust communities and organizations. The majority of Americans recognize this value and oppose measures that would exclude qualified individuals based on superficial criteria.

“The landscape may seem uncertain, but the legal grounds upholding equal opportunity remain firm. As civil rights advocates, we are prepared to challenge attempts to undermine these essential liberties and continue to champion a nation where every person’s contribution is welcomed and valued.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 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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