Civil Rights Organizations Denounce SCOTUS Decision in Affirmative Action Case
Coalition includes National Urban League, National Action Network, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Council of Negro Women, UnidosUS, Asian Americans Advancing Justice -- AAJC, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 30, 2023) – Yesterday, a coalition of civil rights groups issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to reverse affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina.
“The extreme decisions of the Supreme Court to overturn affirmative action in the college admissions process was incredibly disappointing. The conservative-majority court erased decades of momentous progress. The effects of this decision will further perpetuate the deep and structural racism that exists in this country.
“To claim that affirmative action violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment goes to show that there are members of the Supreme Court who are unfamiliar with the amendment’s history and intention. Our nation is stronger because of the unique experiences and talents of all people. Yesterday’s decision serves as a distressing reminder of the uphill battle we continue to face in dismantling systemic racism and the potential implications this decision can have on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the workplace.
“Together, we will fight relentlessly until every student has the equal opportunity to access higher education and pursue their dreams. Our country thrives when we nurture the talents and potential of students from all backgrounds and build respect for everyone. Despite this Supreme Court ruling, we remain resolute in our commitment to constructing equitable pathways to higher education and the opportunity that comes with it.”
Watch the Video: Within hours of the Supreme Court's decision on two major cases concerning the consideration of race in college admissions, we convened a coalition of civil rights groups for an online news conference to discuss the ruling.
Know the Issue: Review a deeper brief of the affirmative action ruling and its implications on the future of diverse college campuses: SCOTUS Affirmative Action Cases (PDF)
Use Your Voice: Grab graphics and sample messages from this social media toolkit to spread the message on your platforms. The toolkit will be updated as needed: https://bit.ly/AffirmativeActionSocial