Photos: Wikimedia Commons\Twitter
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm veteran civil rights attorney Kristen Clarke as Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Advancement Project National Office, a 21st Century racial justice organization, issued the following statement:
“Kristen Clarke has been a tireless champion for civil rights, and we applaud her confirmation by the U.S. Senate. As the first Black woman to hold the position, Clarke’s voting rights experience and work combating racial discrimination will bring a wealth of expertise and leadership to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
“On the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we can now organize and protest knowing the agency will be an ally in our work to thwart racist voter suppression schemes in states like Georgia and Florida. Clarke’s division will also be important to reimagining public safety, holding police officers accountable when they murder Black and Brown people, and addressing the inequities Black and Brown people, Asians American Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous face in the nation’s criminal legal system. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of her leadership on the Department of Justice.
New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated Clarke’s confirmation saying:
“Kristen Clarke is a true public servant who has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of others, and, following today’s bipartisan vote to confirm her nomination, that selfless work will continue,” said Attorney General James. “Kristen’s a first-generation American who has broken barriers throughout her life and did so again today, and I am confident that she will refocus the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division on fighting for all marginalized communities throughout this nation. From the beginning, the Biden-Harris Administration has shown its deep commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and has made the nomination of qualified individuals a cornerstone of its picks. I have no doubt that putting the Civil Rights Division in Kristen’s capable hands will continue that tradition.”
Today’s bipartisan vote in the United States Senate confirmed Clarke by a vote of 51-48.
