The Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice is comprised of eleven members appointed by the ABA President and is committed to:
- eliminate racial/ethnic bias in the justice system by educating and involving lawyers and their bar associations
- engage lawyers and their bar associations in programs designed to eliminate racial/ethnic bias in their communities.
Monetary contributions to the Council on Racial & Ethnic Justice are tax deductible if payable through the Fund for Justice and Education (FJE). Payments for Council events and programs may also be tax deductible if made to the FJE with notation of the name of the Council event. This will ensure that funds are applied to the Council’s account.
Council on Racial and Ethnic Diversity Overview
In 1992 a Presidential Task Force on Minorities in the Justice system was created in the aftermath of the Rodney King disturbances. Shortly thereafter, a report was issued with recommendations by the Task Force. The Task Force became the Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice in 1994. It was designed to implement the recommendations and develop partnerships among community groups, civil rights organizations, businesses, religious organizations, and bar associations for the purpose of eliminating racial and ethnic bias in the justice system. Its primary goal is to serve as a catalyst for eliminating racial and ethnic bias in the justice system with a focus on systemic change.
The Council services include:
(1) Assistance with the development of educational programs;
(2) Hosting public forums for dialogue between legal and non legal institutions; and
(3) Providing technical assistance and advice on how to implement specific programs, strategies, and partnerships
Since its inception, the Council has been on the cutting edge of social justice issues. Over the past 12 years, the Council has focused on a number of substantive and diverse issues such as racial profiling, access to the justice system, overrepresentation of juveniles of color, indigent defense, racial profiling and the war on terrorism, voting disenfranchisement and the impact of technology, election protection, injustices and discrimination in Tulia, Texas and the impact of Katrina on the impoverished.
