ISSUED: 7 September 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — 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 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 combating hate and enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.”
The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Robert C. 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 the U.S. Attorney’s YouTube channel.
The Martinsburg Rotary Club and the Martinsburg Initiative are partners of the forum, along with Shepherd University.
Civil Rights Symposium Agenda
- 9:00 -9:15 a.m.—Welcome, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld
- 9:15-9:30 a.m. —Keynote Address, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, Civil Rights Division – The U.S. Department of Justice
- 9:30-10:15 a.m.—Housing: Rights under the Fair Housing Act and the False Claims Act, Civil Division Chief and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Prezioso
- 10:15-11:00 a.m.—The Evolution and Impact of Title IX in Higher Education, Anne E. Lewin, Director of Social Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX Coordinator, Shepherd University
- 11:00-11:45 a.m.—Civil Rights Act Title VII: Issues and Enforcement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan S. McKee
- 11:45-12:30 p.m.—Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner
- 12:30 p.m.—Conclusion, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld
To learn more, visit the United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of West Virginia website.
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