Plans to Weaponize DOJ against Equal Opportunity Threaten Our Safety

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is deeply alarmed by a Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum issued on Wednesday night stating that the DOJ will begin to “investigate” and “penalize” private sector and educational institutions for programs that protect diversity and equal opportunity. 

JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick issued the following statement:  

“We have seen the administration repeatedly use attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion to undermine our most fundamental democratic norms and values – including the equal opportunity and pluralism that are central to our democracy and our safety.

Despite this flurry of executive orders and memos, the law has not changed, and employers are still prohibited from discriminating.

The Jewish community will continue to stand up for diversity, equity, and inclusion – because it’s inherent to Jewish values and to the safety and rights of our diverse Jewish community and all communities targeted. 

Our safety as Jews is inextricably linked with inclusive, pluralistic democracy, with confronting systemic injustice, and with ensuring that every community has a fair shot. Opening the door to discrimination based on ideology, race, religion, or any other factor ultimately means none of us are safe. 

We saw this firsthand last week when federal departments banned the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, alongside Black History Month and more. It served as a sharp reminder that these kinds of policies ultimately threaten the Jewish community – and that it is both possible and necessary to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that are inclusive of Jews, our history, and our identities.

JCPA will continue to work with our civil rights partners to protect our core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the democratic norms and values inherent to all of our rights and safety.”