Leading a Coordinated Civil Rights Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Colleagues,

Last week, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Pamela S. Karlan issued the following statement and resource guide to assist Federal agencies, state and local governments, and recipients of Federal financial assistance in addressing ongoing civil rights challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Federal, state, and local agencies and organizations are an integral part of the shared effort to uphold civil rights on behalf of those targeted because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or citizenship.  As PDAAG Karlan states, “Civil rights protections and responsibilities still apply, even during emergencies.  They cannot be waived.”  The statement is available in Spanish, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.  Additional translations will be added.

Statement by the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leading a Coordinated Civil Rights Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) | OPA | Department of Justice 

Please share this important message with your colleagues, particularly Federal, state, and local government officials involved with pandemic response and recovery.  The Civil Rights Division, together with other agencies throughout the Federal government, will continue to monitor civil rights issues related to COVID-19 and vigorously enforce civil rights laws.