National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
www.naacp.org

May 15, 2010

The NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, unanimously endorsed Elena Kagan, President Barack Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court, today at their quarterly board meeting.

The organization reviewed Kagan’s available record on civil rights including her recent authorization for the Department of Justice and the Department of Civil Rights to file an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the University of Texas’ affirmative action program in Fisher v. University of Texas and her brief in support of African American firefighters who challenged a hiring test used by the City of Chicago under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Lewis v. City of Chicago).

“After a careful and thorough review of Elena Kagan’s record, we have unanimously voted to endorse her nomination,” stated President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “Elena Kagan has demonstrated a commitment to civil rights and equal justice under the law throughout her career. Kagan drew her inspiration from NAACP former counsel and Supreme court Justice Thurgood Marshall who she considers a hero and mentor. During her tenure at the White House, Kagan worked on issues such as strengthening hate crimes legislation and civil rights enforcement. As a law school Dean, she worked to ensure a diverse student body and faculty. And as Solicitor General, Kagan has vigorously defended the nation’s equal opportunity and civil rights laws. We look forward to actively supporting her nomination,” Jealous said.

“Elena Kagan has a track record of bringing people together. She is skilled at forging legal consensus on contentious issues,” stated NAACP Chairman Roslyn Brock. “Civil rights is a bipartisan issue. It is central to the core of our American values. We believe Elena Kagan has the ability to use her fine legal mind, her commitment to diversity and her ability to build bridges to effectively advocate in the Court for the civil rights and democracy enshrined in our constitution.”

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its more than half million members and supporters, throughout the United States and the world, are the premier advocates for civil and human rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and advocating for equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.


Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law
www.lawyerscommittee.org

May 10, 2010

On May 10, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated the Honorable Elena J. Kagan, Solicitor General of the United States, as an Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of the United States to replace long-serving Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.

As an organization established by President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the private bar in the vigorous enforcement of the nation's civil rights laws, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is conducting an in-depth analysis of Solicitor General Kagan's record on civil rights issues. Given Justice Stevens's leadership in protecting and defending civil rights, it is particularly important that his replacement uphold the constitutional principles he set forth in civil rights cases.

We are committed to contributing an accurate, unbiased and timely perspective to a confirmation process that must include a focus on the vital importance of protecting civil rights laws and our constitutional values.
 

National Bar Association
www.nationalbar.org

The National Bar Association has remained neutral on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.


PUSH/Excel
www.pushexcel.org

Operation PUSH/Excel has not released a formal statement on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.


The National Urban League
www.nul.org

The National Urban League has not released a formal statement on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.


National Action Network
www.nationalactionnetwork.net

The National Action Network has not released a formal statement on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.


Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
www.civilrights.org

June 25, 2010

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights today announces its support for the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and urges her speedy confirmation. In every step of her career, Elena Kagan has highly distinguished herself through her outstanding intellectual credentials, her independence of thought, and her strong respect for the rule of law. She is fully qualified and ready to serve on the Supreme Court.

We look forward to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings next week, and we urge Senators to explore in depth Elena Kagan's views on the highly important civil and human rights issues that are facing our nation. We also urge Senators not to be swayed by a small number of ideological extremists who have been grasping at straws to characterize her as having an ideological agenda. While the Senate should thoroughly explore her views, it is abundantly clear to us that Elena Kagan is a consensus-builder who will play an important role in healing a fractured Court and in protecting the rights of all Americans.


Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
www.sclcnational.org

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has not released a formal statement on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.