Creating a society where everyone has a fair chance to succeed and can participate fully in an environment free from discrimination is frequently lifted up as the shared goal of a democratic society. Our nation’s commitment to equality is a bedrock principle that is enshrined in laws designed to make equality’s promise real in the lives of everyday people. But, to be effective, civil rights laws must be more than words on a page. They must be enforced faithfully and vigorously to extend their protections to all. That requires an unflinching commitment to the tools and resources necessary to ensure sound, thorough, and effective enforcement. Increasingly, however, these tools and resources are under attack. Aggressive efforts to erode federal enforcement by cutting staffing, eliminating innovative enforcement tools, consolidating offices, and more threaten to undo critical rights at a time when they are most needed.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a panel discussion with key experts focusing on the tools and infrastructure essential to vigorous civil rights enforcement, as well as the current threats putting these anti-discrimination protections at risk.
Introductory Remarks:
Carmel Martin, executive vice president, Center For American Progress
Panelists:
Todd Cox, director of policy, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Pamela Coukos, founding principal, Working IDEAL
Melvina Ford, executive director, Equal Rights Center
David Lopez, partner, Outten and Golden
Laura W. Murphy, president, Laura Murphy & Associates
Moderator:
Jocelyn Frye, senior fellow, Center For American Progress