Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Sham DOJ Charges Against Southern Poverty Law Center

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center amounts to nothing more than a baseless political smear.

“For decades, the Southern Poverty Law Center has fought against white supremacy, hate, and extremism in our country, working tirelessly to protect vulnerable communities and defend the rule of law. Their work combating extremism and the Trump Administration’s ongoing threats to our multiracial democracy has unfortunately — but predictably — put them on the right wing’s hit list.

“Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is wielding the authority of the DOJ as an arm of President Trump’s retribution campaign to smear the SPLC, has disgraced our nation’s leading law enforcement agency. This sham indictment against the SPLC cannot be viewed in isolation. It is part of the Trump Administration’s continued weaponization of our justice system against civil society organizations, journalists, politicians, and other political opponents. This corruption of our nation’s law enforcement agencies is dangerous and unacceptable.

“The Congressional Black Caucus stands fully in support of the SPLC, which we are confident will overcome this baseless attack. We will not allow this Administration to succeed in its efforts to intimidate and silence those who speak out against hate. In due time, we will hold those responsible to account."

Congressman John Lewis shares message of support for SPLC

A longtime friend and supporter of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Lewis leads and annual civil rights pilgrimage for members of congress to Montgomery to mark the anniversary of the 1965 voting rights march from Selma.

As the SPLC welcomes new President and Chief Executive Officer Margaret Huang, Lewis shared the following message of support:

I am glad to be joining with all of you at the Southern Poverty Law Center at a moment when your work is more critical than ever. Today, we are witnessing an incredible transformation of our world – and at the same time, we see the continuation of the struggle in which we’ve been engaged for the last many decades. While this pandemic has had an awful impact on our economy, on our social engagements, and on our political arena, it has not changed the urgent mission of overturning the ugly legacy of hate and extremism in the United States.

The SPLC has been a champion of inclusion, equity and justice for nearly 50 years. Your mission has never been more relevant, more critical, than at this moment. White supremacy and white nationalism groups have seized this moment to step up their recruiting efforts, using digital engagement to reach new audiences spending more time online. Educators, who have long championed efforts to teach children about a more inclusive world, are now separated from their charges and working to keep them fed and supported during this difficult time. Families who were already struggling economically are now desperate to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. We need SPLC to continue to lead – to fight the extremists, to teach empathy and belonging, and to champion those who seek justice.

I am glad to see new leadership at the SPLC, bringing energy, compassion and strategic vision that will help the organization play its vital role in our society. I wish Margaret and all of you at the SPLC my very best, and know that you have friends and allies in the larger social justice movement who are ready to stand with you.

—Congressman John Lewis

Lawsuit: Mississippi fails to educate black children equally

Mississippi is denying good schools to African American students in violation of the federal law that enabled the state to rejoin the union after the Civil War, a legal group alleged Tuesday.

The Southern Poverty Law Center wants a federal judge to force state leaders to comply with the 1870 law, which says Mississippi must never deprive any citizen of the "school rights and privileges" described in the state's first post-Civil War constitution.

That law still obligates Mississippi to provide a "uniform system of free public schools" for all children, but the state has instead watered down education protections in a white supremacist effort to prevent the education of blacks, the group said.

"From 1890 until the present day, Mississippi repeatedly has amended its education clause and has used those amendments to systematically and deliberately deprive African-Americans of the education rights guaranteed to all Mississippi schoolchildren by the 1868 Constitution," the suit states.

The named defendants include Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, all Republican elected officials. It also names state school Superintendent Carey Wright and the nine appointed members of the state Board of Education.

Mississippi's public schools have stubbornly ranked at or near the bottom of national measures of academic achievement and progress. But Bryant and Reeves said Mississippi's education system is improving under their leadership.

Read more: Lawsuit: Mississippi fails to educate black children equally