Washington, D.C. – As the nation marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, ending state-mandated school segregation, People For the American Way President Svante Myrick released the following statement:
“It’s hard to overstate how much the Brown decision changed our country. Seventy years ago, Black Americans weren’t just shut out of many public schools, we were shut out of most of public life. The opportunities opened up by Brown changed all that. Brown stands as a testament to the enormous power of federal courts to shape and change our lives. And that’s why, today, we need to recommit to our vision of a court system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. The Biden administration and Senate Democratic leadership have made tremendous progress in nominating and confirming judges committed to upholding our civil rights. Today we’re calling on them to double down on this progress and confirm as many of these judges as possible in these final days of the president’s first term, as we keep working toward a democracy where the promise of Brown is made real for everyone. ”
Read People For’s Brown anniversary opinion pieces on diversity on the bench, here; and Biden judges’ rulings upholding civil rights, here.
# # #
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice, and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media, and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org