Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Trip to Alabama

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division traveled to Fairfield and Birmingham, Alabama, from Sept. 14-15. 

On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General Clarke gave the keynote address at the Honors Convocation at Miles College, a Historically Black College in Fairfield that was founded 125 years ago with roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. In her remarks, she highlighted the college’s esteemed alumni, lauded the accomplishments of the students and detailed the Justice Department’s work to protect civil rights. Read her full remarks here.  

In the afternoon, Assistant Attorney General Clarke, along with U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama, traveled to Birmingham to participate in a community meeting hosted by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Omicron Lambda Chapter. During the meeting, she discussed the department’s efforts to combat hate crimes, protect voting rights and ensure law enforcement accountability .

Assistant Attorney General Clarke also met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama’s staff. She thanked the office’s leadership and staff for their service and continued commitment to protecting civil rights.  

On Friday, Assistant Attorney General Clarke delivered remarks at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the horrific bombing that killed four Black girls, Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. In her remarks, she reflected on the tragic bombing, the history of hate in society and the Justice Department’s continued efforts to hold those who commit unlawful acts of race-based violence accountable. Read her full remarks here.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke concluded the trip at Ramsay IB High School, a predominantly Black public school known for its exceptional and high-performing student body. There, she met the principal, Dr. Carolyn Russell-Walker, as well as school leadership. She spoke with students about pursuing careers in public service and encouraged them to continue to achieve excellence in education.