Conyers and Nadler Respond to Supreme Court Integration Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14) and Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08) released the following statements in response to the Supreme Court's ruling, which eliminates voluntary integration programs in public school districts:

"This decision is a shameful step backward for civil rights," Conyers said. "It seems to hinge on the irrational notion that you ignore race in trying to solve problems of racism, which certainly still exist. Justice Roberts' opinion effectively says that the government cannot and should not promote voluntary de-segregation efforts. Having worked in the trenches of the civil rights movement, this reversal of key components in the landmark Brown decision is something I never thought I would see in my lifetime."

"The Court would have us close our eyes to the reality of race in the 21st century," said Rep. Nadler. "In reality, our communities are too often divided along the lines of race, undermining our common goal of equality and understanding. However, Justices Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg and Breyer recognized that diversity can be a compelling state interest – and I concur. I hope that the Court will not follow the logic of today’s opinion in other cases. To do so would prevent our communities from voluntarily responding to social forces that will ultimately segregate our schools and our society."

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