Bar Rehnquist--Rights Body

WASHINGTON — The nation’s major civil rights coalition concluded today that the Senate should defeat the nomination of Chief Justice-designate William H. Rehnquist because of his “35-year record of opposition” to equal justice.

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights reached its conclusions in a new report that reviews Rehnquist’s private and public career.

The Senate is to consider the nomination next week.

“As times changed and a consensus for civil rights emerged among the American people, Mr. Rehnquist has sought to put a more benign face on his previous statements and actions. But his explanations are contradicted by others and by common sense,” the report said.