Ads are part of ongoing series to support Biden-Harris administration women nominees of color
Washington, D.C. — Today, People For the American Way released its latest ad supporting Kristen Clarke, the Biden-Harris nominee to lead the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, to highlight her work for a stronger hate crime law in the wake of a racially motivated murder.
The ad, which is part of the ongoing #HerFightOurFight campaign, features the parents of 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins, III, a student at Bowie State University and an ROTC candidate, who was stabbed to death at a bus stop on the University of Maryland, College Park campus in May 2017, by a student later found to be a member of a group called “The Alt Reich: Nation,” which promoted violence against Black people. Watch the ad here.
The #HerFightOurFight campaign focuses on urging the U.S. Senate to confirm eminently qualified women of color nominated for key posts within the Biden administration who are facing racist and sexist attacks from the Far Right.
“The hate crime law in Maryland was near to impossible for someone to be convicted, then the battle began changing that law. That’s when we met Kristen Clarke,” says Dawn Collins, mother of Lt. Collins, in the ad.
As a result of Clarke’s advocacy, the Maryland law, Senate Bill 606 and House Bill 917, also known as 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins, III’s Law, has been changed. The Collins family believes Clarke will make a difference in Washington. “Kristen is dedicated to ensuring that justice is served. Kristen really did make our fight her fight. Now we need to make her fight our fight,” says Richard Collins, father of Lt. Collins, in the ad.
Kristen Clarke’s extensive civil rights record includes serving as chief of the Civil Rights Bureau in the Office of the New York Attorney General, where she handled cases of police misconduct, hate crimes, human trafficking, voting rights, and redistricting.
“Kristen Clarke helped to ensure that in Maryland, individuals who commit a hate crime and other civil rights violations are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said People For the American Way President Ben Jealous. “Kristen Clarke and other outstanding women like her give America a real chance at fighting against threats to our democracy, including assaults on voting rights, women’s rights, and sex and gender identity discrimination. We are excited about the next step in Clarke’s confirmation process and witnessing the historic confirmation of the incredibly qualified, civil rights leader Kristen Clarke to be Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.”
The #HerFightOurFight campaign launched in March with an ad highlighting Vanita Gupta, confirmed as Associate Attorney General, as one of the country’s most renowned and effective civil rights advocates, who has dedicated her career to fighting injustice. The campaign includes ad buys, earned media, social media outreach and calls to action focused on how the Far Right attacks women of color in leadership positions, and more.
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.