REV. AL SHARPTON RESPONDS TO DISMISSAL OF LAWSUIT AGAINST FEARLESS FUND AND FEARLESS FOUNDATION

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Sep 11, 2024

NEW YORK, NY (September 11, 2024) – Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement in response to the dismissal of the lawsuit against the Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation:

“In the face of this hostility and a lawsuit that threatened to ban DEI, Arian Simone stood steadfast in her commitment to the mission of supporting those who are the most often overlooked in our economy. I stood with her since Day One and advised her because the attacks on Arian and the Fearless Fund speak to the historic efforts to cut the opportunity ladder out from under us. Her resilience through this challenge is a testament to her dedication and fortitude, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for her leadership.

Let’s not forget that the same right-wing legal activists who brought this case against the Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation were the same ones who pushed the Supreme Court to gut affirmative action. They effectively gave themselves a license to attack any effort to bring in perspectives that have historically been left out of the conversation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion became a lighting rod to the radical right, with ‘DEI’ becoming a dog whistle to punch down on already under-served communities. Yet those of us who have already seen the right to vote gutted and the right to education access dismantled stood up and alongside these woman to say we would not let them take the right to jobs.

With the dismissal of this case, the immediate threat that this lawsuit posed to DEI, workplace diversity, and free speech has been subdued for now, allowing the Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation to resume their crucial work with renewed strength and purpose. But the fight to defend and promote workplace diversity will continue in board rooms, state legislatures, universities, the White House and beyond. All of us who understand the value of workplaces, and indeed an economy, that reflect the diversity of our nation will continue to defend DEI.”

About National Action Network (NAN)

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.

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