Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, who is in only his second week on the job, put out an interesting statement today about a civil rights march taking place in D.C.
Mr. Mukasey appears to go out of his way to recognize the marchers, and to assure the public that the Justice Department is investigating incidents of racism, but that "in order to be most effective, these investigations do not occur in the public eye."
VIDEO: Sharpton at march: 'No justice, no peace'
It's apparent that the new attorney general wants to do what he can to tear down the perception that civil rights are not important to this administration. Here is the full statement.
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL MICHAEL B. MUKASEY REGARDING TODAY'S CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH
"In recent months, there have been reports of nooses and other symbols of racial and religious hate appearing in schools, work places, and neighborhoods across the country. These symbols of hate have no place in our great county. As part of the Justice Department's racial threats initiative, the Department — including the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Federal Bureau of Investigation — is working in partnership with state and local law enforcement and civil rights organizations to investigate aggressively dozens of noose-hangings and other recent racially and religiously motivated threats around the country. In order to be most effective, these investigations do not occur in the public eye.
“The Justice Department shares with those who demonstrate today their objective of bringing to justice those who commit criminal acts of hate; it shares their vision of eradicating hate in our society. At the same time, the Department must follow the law and the principles of federal prosecution in every case it investigates and prosecutes. Although there are limitations and challenges in bringing successful hate crimes prosecutions, the Department takes each case seriously, and is prepared to vindicate the rights of the victims when prosecution is warranted by the facts and by federal law.
"The mission of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is as vital today as when it was created 50 years ago. Those who march today should be commended for highlighting the issues of tolerance and civil liberties. We hope that all can agree that it is the criminals who commit violent acts of hate who deserve the loudest protest. And as long as hatred and racism exist, the Justice Department will continue its hard and effective work on behalf of all victims of hate crimes."
— Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
Comments (3)
blacks seem to have this huge chip on their shoulder. hanging nooses in a tree is a prank and it does not deserve any sort of prison sentence. it is time for washington to start locking up people like sharpton for instigating violence. many whites across the country have already been targetted and murdered by angry blacks because of sharpton and the other racist black leadership involved with the jena episode. if blacks continue to attack white people in this country i except the membership in white groups like the nazis and klan will only increase. whites have for 50 years been forced into the corner by the aclu and the naacp. i hope they will not be surprised when whitey strikes back. a word to the wise, blacks are outnumbered ten to one mr sharpton. does anybody remember what happened to the plains indians?
Posted by warren bacon | November 17, 2007 5:25 PM
It is unfortunate that this board is filled with stupidity, but facts are stubborn things.
Al Sharpton has been shown to be a vile racist. He made numerous remarks such as Jews being "diamond merchants", incited the individual who started the "Freddy's Fire" in Harlem due to his focus on "white interlopers", the Brawley case, his strong relationship with Louis Farrakhan (Nation of Islam), etc, etc.
Remember, he claims to be a Pastor. Christians are supposed to follow the teachings of Christ, pastors have a greater responsibility as the term pastor means teacher.
By choosing the so called Jena 6 case along with his track record of hypocrisy, he has further weakened the moral authority of those who truly believe in judging a person by their character and not their skin color.
The individual who took the lead in assaulting the victim has a prior criminal record of assault. He was recently put back in jail due to a violation of his bail or probation on the prior charges.
The number of people following Al Sharpton is a testament to their own character. The bible was right, what's in a man's heart is reflective of the friends he keeps.
Posted by Nassau County Civic Assoc | November 17, 2007 6:39 PM
I am somewhat appalled that Mr. Mukasey would even take the time to respond to march led by an avowed racist, hate monger, and irrelevant political minister. He should have just not responded at all.
Posted by pvbella | November 18, 2007 2:10 PM