Press Release

Press Release 05.6.20

Congress Must Protect Communities’ Rights Before Extending Census Deadlines

WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Census Bureau shifts its plans for the 2020 Census to keep communities safe in the wake of coronavirus, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC are calling on Congress to fully explore and address how the Census Bureau’s request that lawmakers modify the statutory reporting deadlines for 2020 Census data would affect historically undercounted communities and states’ ability to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Press Release 05.6.20

Senators, Advocates Rally Against Nomination of Justin Walker

On Wednesday, May 6 at 11 AM, Senators and advocates for health care, civil rights, and justice will hold a digital rally against the nomination of Justin Walker to the D.C. Circuit. The rally will immediately follow his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Walker praised Brett Kavanaugh for having written the “roadmap” to overturn the Affordable Care Act and scorned the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the law as “indefensible” and “catastrophic.” Walker also supports broad executive power, and would be poised to shield Donald Trump from the scrutiny of congressional oversight. Senate Republicans are nevertheless risking the safety of their colleagues, Senate staff, and the public to push through his nomination in the middle of a pandemic.

Press Release 05.4.20

National Week of Action Brings Together Civil Rights Groups for Safe and Fair Elections

WASHINGTON – The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and All Voting is Local, with its joint campaign And Still I Vote, will hold multiple events this week to mobilize voters and urge officials across the country to ensure fair, safe, and accessible elections in 2020. These activities are part of the National Week of Action as well as Turn Up Tuesdays, a weekly national call to action to ensure people are informed and activated to vote November.

Press Release 05.4.20

National Rights Groups Call for Pause in Judicial Confirmations Process 

WASHINGTON — Forty pro-democracy and civil rights groups today joined in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, urging them to halt the process of federal judicial nominations and confirmations at this time.  The groups are members of the Fair Courts Task Force of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and wrote to urge "a cessation of the consideration of lifetime judicial nominees at a time when a continued focus on support and resources to address the COVID-19 pandemic should be paramount." 

Press Release 04.28.20

Turn Up Tuesdays to Highlight Marginalization of Native Americans in Voting Process

WASHINGTON – The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, with its campaign And Still I Vote and in partnership with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), will host a Turn Up Tuesdays Facebook Live Event on Tuesday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m. ET. The event will highlight barriers to the ballot Native Americans face and outline practical steps for how officials can protect their vote in the wake of COVID-19. As many states move toward voting by mail, the event will highlight how the failure to put systems in place could leave many tribal communities behind.

Press Release 04.27.20

Post-Pandemic America Must Have Stronger Civil and Human Rights Protections

WASHINGTON – A united civil rights community urged Congress to ensure that our nation emerges after the COVID-19 pandemic as a more equitable, healthy, and just society. In the first comprehensive letter to lawmakers on the COVID-19 crisis from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, leading activists noted the spotlight that COVID-19 is shining on America’s longstanding institutional racism and systemic inequality. To build a stronger America, members of Congress must craft laws to protect public health more effectively, preserve and strengthen our public institutions, and ensure that our eventual economic recovery works for everyone.

Press Release 04.24.20

Pandemic Is No Excuse for Discriminatory Policing

WASHINGTON – Lynda Garcia, policing campaign director of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on discriminatory policing practices during COVID-19:

Splash Statement