The National Campaign To Restore Civil Rights To Speak In Madison About The Era of Civil Rights Rollbacks and the Presidential Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2008

CONTACT: The National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights: Tanene Allison (212) 244-4664

MADISON, WI - February 29 –
On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, Cristóbal Joshua Alex, Campaign Coordinator of the National Campaign To Restore Civil Rights (NCRCR) will speak at the University of Wisconsin Law School about the Rollback of the Civil Rights Era and the role of the Presidential selection process in fighting for civil rights.

Over the past 20 years, a well-funded and well-organized conservative movement has sought to reverse any gains once made on civil rights. These groups have been successful at influencing judicial nominations and public opinion. As a result, the courts—as demonstrated by a range of key cases in the areas of environmental justice, disability rights, housing rights, LGBT rights, women’s rights, and workers’ rights—have become less protective of civil rights.

Mr. Alex’s address—which is the keystone program for the UW Law School’s week-long event raising awareness on the importance of providing access to justice for all people—will discuss this devolution in the federal courts, and will examine how the selection of the next U.S. president will shape our nation’s civil rights laws.

“Whom we select as the next President of these United States will have enormous power to influence the future of our civil rights. The presidential candidates must be vetted and held accountable as to their beliefs on judicial nominees and how to reverse the recent rollback of civil rights” - Cristóbal Joshua Alex

Mr. Alex will also discuss the slashing of federal funding to Legal Aid organizations, rollback of progressive legislation, problems with federal enforcement of equal justice, and efforts to limit diversity in education.

Created in response to recent federal court decisions that are eroding civil rights protections, the Campaign is a collection of over one hundred civil rights organizations and numerous individuals that came together to ensure that the courts protect and preserve justice, fairness, and opportunity for everyone. We achieve these goals through raising awareness, outreach, and building alliances.

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