Federal civil rights laws will be the focus of a forum to be held next week at Shepherd University.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld will host a half-day event at Shepherd on Monday, September 12 that will highlight the constitutional rights of citizens and how they are enforced through civil and criminal actions. Experts will discuss fair housing rights, the right to be free from employment discrimination, hate crimes, and the impact of Title IX upon higher education.
The forum will include a keynote address by Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights for the United States Department of Justice. Attendees will also hear presentations from federal prosecutors and from Anne Lewin, Director of Social Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX Coordinator at Shepherd.
“The vigorous enforcement of federal civil rights laws makes communities in West Virginia safer and stronger,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are increasing our focus on civil rights and engaging with the community, inviting citizens to hear from law enforcement professionals who are dedicated to combatting hate and enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.”
The event will begin at 9 am at the Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education on Shepherd’s campus. It is free and open to the public. It will also be streamed live on www.youtube.com/c/UnitedStatesAttorneysOffices.
The Martinsburg Rotary Club and the Martinsburg Initiative are partners of the forum, along with Shepherd University.
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