During her commencement speech at Columbia Law School, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphatically condemned the prevalence of hate crimes across the nation. Clarke, who leads the Justice Department’s civil rights division, expressed her intransigent stance against those who propagate such damaging ideologies.
“Justice is working tirelessly to prosecute hate crimes. White supremacy, antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, hate-fueled violence has no place in our country, period,” stated Clarke.
In an unexpected twist, Columbia Law School’s graduation ceremony was relocated due to ongoing anti-war protests on Columbia’s campus. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s words of determination against justice’s hate crimes were thus delivered in an unexpected setting.
Since taking the helm at the Justice Department’s civil rights division, Clarke has proven herself a dedicated and passionate advocate for civil rights, holding steadfast in opposing the pernicious and pervasive spread of hate crimes.
The role of the law graduates Clarke addressed was indirectly cast into relief by her words. With their legal acumen and professional proficiency newly validated by their education, they are to form the next vanguard against the unjust crimes and ideologies Clarke so steadfastly opposes.
For more detailed coverage of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s speech at the Columbia Law School’s graduation ceremony, visit: Above the Law.