African American Ministers Announce that Alito’s Poor Record on Civil Rights Merits Senate Rejection

Detroit, MI - Detroit members of African American Ministers In Action hosted a press conference with other local Detroit ministers on November 16, 2005 at Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church to announce their opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel Alito.

“The African American church has always been at the forefront of the battle to protect civil rights. President Bush’s nomination of Judge Alito is yet another assault on civil rights and issues important to African Americans,� said Rev. Kenneth Flowers, Pastor of Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and member of the African American Ministers In Action. “Senators must cast a ‘yes’ vote for civil rights by voting ‘no’ for Samuel Alito.�

Speakers at the press conference addressed Judge Alito’s negative record on civil rights protections and released a church bulletin that will be disseminated to approximately 12,000 members of six churches throughout Detroit. (Click here for a copy of the Alito bulletin.) Additionally, the ministers will urge their members to call Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and ask that they vote no on Alito’s nomination.

“Samuel Alito has sought to roll back protections against employment discrimination and jury discrimination, and he has tried to limit the role of courts in fighting civil rights violations,� said Rev. Frank Raines, III, Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. “Senators must reject this nomination and tell President Bush to try again, next time with someone intent on preserving the progress of the past 70 years.�

“Civil rights protections have brought our country closer to the America Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks envisioned. A Supreme Court nominee whose judicial philosophy counters those protections is unacceptable,� said Rev. Charles Williams, President of the Mary Church Terrell Council for Community Empowerment.