VIDEO: Leaders Press Civil and Human Rights Agenda at ‘Bend Toward Justice’ Conference

December 7, 2018

For Immediate Release
Contact: Shin Inouye, 202.869.0398, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Hundreds of national and local activists and leaders heard from a wide range of speakers and learned skills to take back to their communities during The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ “Bend Toward Justice” conference held on Tuesday.

“The enduring belief in a more perfect union has always fueled our fight for a fairer and freer America,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference. “As we continue to mobilize, remember: this work has never been easy. We won’t get the outcome we want every time.  But we can’t win if we don’t fight.  So, we must reject cynicism. And we should remember that The Leadership Conference coalition was built for times like these — times that require bold thinking, persistence, and courageous leadership.”

The day’s events included remarks from: Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.); Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii); Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal(D-Wash.); Congresswoman-elect Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.); former Tallahassee Mayor and Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum; Rebecca Cokley, director, Disability Justice Initiative, Center for American Progress; Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO, National Women’s Law Center; Keith M. Harper, U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative, retired, to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and Native American rights lawyer; Mara Keisling, executive director, National Center for Transgender Equality; Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Desmond Meade, president, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition; Judith Browne Dianis, executive director, Advancement Project; Cristóbal Alex, president, Latino Victory Project; and closing remarks from Ashley Allison, executive vice president, campaigns and programs, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Attendees also participated in workshops on skills they can take back to use in their work.

Videos of some of the event’s speakers are available below:

Welcome from Judith Lichtman, chair, The Leadership Conference; and opening remarks by Vanita Gupta, president and CEO, The Leadership Conference.

Congresswoman-elect Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in conversation with Jamal Simmons, host, Hill TV.

Panel discussion with: Rebecca Cokley, director, Disability Justice Initiative, Center for American Progress; Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO, National Women’s Law Center; Keith M. Harper, U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative, retired, to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and Native American rights lawyer; Mara Keisling, executive director, National Center for Transgender Equality; Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Moderated by Allyn Brooks-LaSure, executive vice president, communications, The Leadership Conference.

Desmond Meade, president, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, in conversation with Judith Browne Dianis, executive director, Advancement Project.

Remarks by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Former Tallahassee Mayor and Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum in conversation with Tiffany Cross, co-founder, The Beat.

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) in conversation with Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor, Slate; introduced by Kristine Lucius, executive vice president, policy, The Leadership Conference.

Presentation by Cristóbal Alex, president, Latino Victory Project.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) in conversation with Dara Lind, senior reporter, Vox.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 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.