Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | May 12th, 2014 –   The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is proud to announce that Mr. Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center will deliver the Keynote Address at the ADC Civil Rights Luncheon as part of the ADC Annual National Convention. ADC is also honored to announce that it will be presenting the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with the “Excellence in Advocacy Award” at the luncheon. 

This year’s Civil Rights Luncheon will be Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. The Annual ADC National Convention will be held from June 12-15 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The Civil Rights Luncheon will be held on Friday June 13, 2014. 

Mr. Richard Cohen is a graduate of Columbia University and the University of Virginia School of Law.  He came to the SPLC in 1986 as its legal director after practicing law in Washington, D.C., for seven years. Under his guidance, the SPLC won a series of landmark lawsuits against some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist organizations. He also successfully litigated a wide variety of important civil rights actions – defending the rights of prisoners to be treated humanely, working for equal educational opportunities for all children, and bringing down the Confederate battle flag from the Alabama State Capitol. 

The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society.  Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the Center works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

Founded by civil rights lawyers Morris Dees and Joseph Levin Jr. in 1971, the SPLC is internationally known for tracking and exposing the activities of hate groups. In addition to his work as a lawyer, Mr. Cohen oversees the SPLC’s work monitoring extremist activity and its education initiatives. The SPLC monitors hate in all its forms, including that directed toward Arab-Americans. Its Teaching Tolerance project promotes respect and inclusiveness in the classroom and has regularly provided teachers with tools to combat bias against Arab-Americans.

Following the Civil Rights Luncheon, ADC will be hosting a Civil Rights panel which will take a look at the impact of the Civil Rights Act, and the challenges that lie ahead. To view the complete program at this year’s convention click here.