Civil Rights Enforcement Agencies

Various federal departments, agencies, and commissions are charged with investigating civil rights violations, redressing instances of discrimination, and providing guidance to individuals and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law. It's important that the individuals selected to lead these departments and agencies -- nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate -- are committed to fair and impartial enforcement of our nation's civil rights laws.

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Oversight Hearing Assesses Progress of the Civil Rights Division

September 23, 2011 - Posted by Laurie McGowan

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing last week to review the progress of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division since the confirmation of Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez to lead the division almost two years ago.

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Justice Department Announces Resolution of Racially Motivated Crimes

September 7, 2011 - Posted by Corrine Yu

Two brothers who admitted they had hung a dead raccoon from a noose from a flagpole located in front of a Louisiana junior high school pled guilty to intimidating students based on race, the Justice Department announced on September 2.

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Department of Justice Investigation Reveals Racial, LGBT, and Gender-Biased Policing by the New Orleans Police Department

March 23, 2011 - Posted by Alice Thompson

Use of excessive force, racial and ethnic profiling, and under-enforcement of violence against women are just a few of several constitutional and federal law violations made by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), according to a report recently released by the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

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American Bar Association Adopts Strong Anti-Bullying Resolution

February 15, 2011 - Posted by Brianna Deitrich

The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates yesterday unanimously adopted of a resolution in support of laws, policies and programs “to prevent and remediate” bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment in schools and communities.

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U.S. Supreme Court Rules to Protect Employee’s Family from Retaliation

January 31, 2011 - Posted by Avril Lighty

The Supreme Court last week ruled in a unanimous 8-0 decision in Thompson v. North American Stainless that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which protects employees against job discrimination, forbids an employer from firing the fiancé of an employee as retaliation for her complaining about sexual discrimination.

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Obama Nominates Two to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

January 31, 2011 - Posted by Tyler Lewis

President Obama recently nominated Roberta Achtenberg and Marty Castro to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent advisory commission charged with investigating and reporting on all levels of government to ensure all citizens' civil rights were protected.

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The Leadership Conference Responds to Reports That Civil Rights Complaints to the Department of Education Are Up

October 18, 2010 - Posted by Tyler Lewis

The Associated Press reported last week that the Department of Education has received a record number of complaints that the civil rights of students are being violated. According to the AP, the complaints are up 11 percent this fiscal year to about 7,000. The complaints range from racial disparities in discipline and suspension rates to inadequate education for English language learners and unequal treatment of students with disabilities.

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Civil Rights Coalition Says Warren's Appointment to Oversee New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Is a Positive Step

September 17, 2010 - Posted by Ron Bigler

Following news that President Obama will appoint Elizabeth Warren to oversee the creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as the assistant to the president and special advisor to the secretary of the Treasury, Leadership Conference Executive Vice President Nancy Zirkin said:

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Justice Department Clarifies State Courts’ Obligation to Provide Language Interpreters and Translators

August 18, 2010 - Posted by Avril Lighty

The Department of Justice sent a letter to state courts on Monday clarifying the courts' obligation to provide language assistance to those who are not English proficient so that all people have fair access to the courts.

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Civil Rights Division Addressing Impact of the Housing Crisis on Minority Communities

June 30, 2010 - Posted by Lia Seth

The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is taking steps to strengthen enforcement and regulation in the aftermath of a housing crisis that has disproportionately affected minority communities.

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