Chris Kobach, Attorney General of Kansas, with former President Donald Trump. Photo: Carolyn Custer/AP
Group of Republican Attorneys General warned 100 of America's largest firms to drop diversity-based programs or face prosecution.
Encouraged by Supreme Court ruling that universities can't use race as a factor in admissions, lawyers told companies to “immediately stop any illegal racial quotas or preferences.”
The seven-page letter, signed by top 13-state lawyers, mentions tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Google.
< p>It was sent to Fortune 100 firms. Other firms mentioned include Airbnb, Netflix, Paypal, Uber, TikTok, and banks.
“Serious Legal Implications”
It stated that “different treatment of people from -for the color of their skin, even for good purposes, is illegal” and warned that “companies engaging in racial discrimination must and will face severe legal consequences.”
The letter stated that every employer and contract must be “notified of the illegality of racial quotas and preferences based on race” and warned that they “will be held accountable – sooner rather than later – for your decision to continue to treat people according to differently because of the color of the skin. their skin.”
Last month, a landmark Supreme Court case ruled that U.S. universities must stop using race and diversity in admissions, ending a practice that has increased diversity on campus.
The Conservative Court, which Donald Trump swayed Republican ', canceled admission plans for Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
The affirmative action ruling was heavily criticized by Democrats, including Joe Biden, who said that “we cannot allow this decision to become a permanent obstacle for the country”, adding that “this is not an ordinary court.”
“Odious discriminatory practice”
Reflecting on the decision, the letter stated: “In contrast to the odious discriminatory practices of the distant past, today's large companies are adopting explicitly racial initiatives that are also illegal.”
It informed the firms of their “employer obligations in in accordance with federal and state law, refrain from discrimination based on race, whether under the label of “diversity, equality and inclusiveness” or otherwise.”
Chris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General, who initiated the letter along with his Tennessee colleague Jonathan Skrmetti, said: “The time has come for the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. to become a reality. All Americans should be judged by their character, not the color of their skin.”
Mr Skrmetti added: “The court’s reasoning means that companies, regardless of their motivation, cannot treat people differently based on the color of their skin.
“Corporate America still has many ways to help disadvantaged people and communities of all races without resorting to hard racial lines.”
The Chilling Effect
Alvin B. Tillery, Jr., Director of the Center for Diversity Studies and Democracy at Northwestern University, told the BBC he was concerned that “this letter will cause a deterrent effect.”
Warning that young people and employees will be “punished” by companies that remove programs diversity, he said, “It's not going to be as easy as going to college.”
Last year, Disney employees went on strike at corporate offices to protest CEO Bob Chapek's response to Ron's controversial question. DeSantis' “Don't say gay.”
Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Enrollment, the lawyer who filed the affirmative action lawsuit, said the move was “long overdue for our practice to be challenged” . law enforcement.”
The Supreme Court ruling is the most controversial since Roe v. Wade and reveals the power of former President Trump's three appointments.
Recent Comments