Civil Rights Groups Condemn New Justice Department Suit Against Yale University Seeking to End Racial Diversity Efforts
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Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against Yale University challenging its admissions program and alleging discrimination against Asian American and white Students. The following are statements from civil rights groups who strongly condemn the Department of Justice’s lawsuit:
Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: “It is not hard to view this litigation as part of a carefully coordinate campaign seeking to terminate racial diversity efforts across our nation’s major colleges and universities. This is a Justice Department that has fully abandoned its mission when it comes to advancing equal educational opportunity and promoting racial diversity. Attempting to divide communities based on such thin allegations- allegations that have already failed in other cases- is merely the Justice Department’s latest chapter to its horrid legacy on opportunity and access for America’s highly talented Black students and other underrepresented students of color. Race-conscious admissions programs are both lawful and indispensable for ensuring institutions are open and available to students from all walks of life, including students of color. We will fight the Justice Department’s ill-conceived effort to tear down racial diversity.”
Niyati Shah, director of litigation, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC: “Here we go again. Once again, the U.S. Department of Justice is the puppet for to a racist puppet master determined to find racism where it doesn’t exist. The evidence is clear that affirmative action benefits all students, including Asian Americans, and we will continue to fight baseless legal challenges trying to dismantle affirmative action.”