Human rights organizations are urging Fortune 1000 companies to maintain DEI programs

A broad group of civil rights organizations called on CEOs and board members of major companies on Thursday to uphold their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion programs that have come under attack online and in lawsuits.

An open letter signed by 19 organizations and addressed to leaders of Fortune 1000 companies said that companies abandoning their DEI programs are shirking their fiduciary duty to employees, consumers and shareholders.

Human rights organizations include the NAACP, National Organization for Women, League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies, and procedures make business sense and more popular with the public, consumers, and employees,” their statement reads. “But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists is trying to pressure companies to drop their DEI programs.”

Companies such as Ford, Lowes, John Deere, Molson Coors and Harley-Davidson have recently announced they will withdraw from their diversity, equity and inclusion policies after facing pressure from environmental activists emboldened by recent court victories.

Many large corporations have been examining their diversity programs after the Supreme Court’s ruling last year declared race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions unconstitutional. A number of cases involving similar disputes have been opened by employers. Critics of DEI programs say the programs provide benefits to people of one race or gender preference while excluding others.

In their letter, human rights groups, including UnidosUS, the Urban League, Advocates for Trans Equality, the National Women’s Law Center and the American Association of People with Disabilities, said that splitting with DEI would alienate many consumers.

—Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press business writer