Current:Home > InvestCivil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs -MoneyBase
Civil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs
View
Date:2025-04-16 00:27:04
NEW YORK (AP) — A broad group of civil rights organizations called on the CEOs and board members of major companies Thursday to maintain their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that have come under attack online and in lawsuits.
An open letter signed by 19 organizations and directed at the leaders of Fortune 1000 companies said companies that abandon their DEI programs are shirking their fiduciary responsibility to employees, consumers and shareholders.
The civil rights groups included the NAACP, the National Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies, and practices make business-sense and they’re broadly popular among the public, consumers, and employees,” their statement read. “But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists is attempting to pressure companies into abandoning their DEI programs.”
Companies such as Ford, Lowes, John Deere, Molson Coors and Harley-Davidson recently announced they would pull back on their diversity, equity and inclusion policies after facing pressure from conservative activists who were emboldened by recent victories in the courtroom.
Many major corporations have been examining their diversity programs in the wake of a Supreme Court decision last year that declared race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions unconstitutional. Dozens of cases have been filed making similar arguments about employers. Critics of DEI programs say the initiatives provide benefits to people of one race or sexual orientation while excluding others.
In their letter, the civil rights organizations, which also included UnidosUS, the Urban League, Advocates for Trans Equality, the National Women’s Law Center and the American Association of People with Disabilities, said divesting from DEI would alienate a wide range of consumers.
veryGood! (757)
Related
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Oregon city at heart of Supreme Court homelessness ruling votes to ban camping except in some areas
- After 'hell and back' journey, Tara Davis-Woodhall takes long jump gold at Paris Olympics
- Christina Applegate Shares Surprising Coping Mechanism Amid Multiple Sclerosis Battle
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- The 10 college football transfers that will have the biggest impact
- 'Trad wives' controversy continues: TikTok star Nara Smith reacts to 'hateful' criticism
- Iranian brothers charged in alleged smuggling operation that led to deaths of 2 Navy SEALs
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Protesters rally outside Bulgarian parliament to denounce ban on LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda’ in schools
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- US jury convicts Mozambique’s ex-finance minister Manuel Chang in ‘tuna bonds’ corruption case
- Maui remembers the 102 lost in the Lahaina wildfire with a paddle out 1 year after devastating blaze
- Second person with spinal cord injury gets Neuralink brain chip and it's working, Musk says
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Samsung is recalling more than 1 million electric ranges after numerous fire and injury reports
- Why Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Is Doubling Down on Controversial Speech Comments
- Why Zoë Kravitz & Channing Tatum's On-Set Relationship Surprised Their Blink Twice Costar Levon Hawke
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Second person with spinal cord injury gets Neuralink brain chip and it's working, Musk says
Debby bringing heavy rain, flooding and possible tornadoes northeast into the weekend
Rain, wind from Tropical Storm Debby wipes out day 1 of Wyndham Championship
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
California lawmaker switches party, criticizes Democratic leadership
Police Weigh in on Taylor Swift's London Concerts After Alleged Terror Attack Plot Foiled in Vienna
Florida sheriff’s deputy rescues missing 5-year-old autistic boy from pond