The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department was started in 1957 by President Eisenhower. Its mission was to "uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all individuals." While a lot has changed in half a century, that mission remains the same. What has expanded is the various types of issues that falls under the Civil Rights Division - from dealing with post 9/11 backlash, ensuring medical care to all persons affected by viruses such as H1N1 and access to reproductive health clinics. On top of it, issues like voting rights and religious freedom are still on the top of their to-do list. Wednesday on the Sound of Ideas, the top attorney for civil rights joins us to talk about priorities both nationwide and in Ohio.
Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General,Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice
Steven Dettelbach, United States Attorney for Northern District of Ohio