Latino Group Opposes Thomas

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on Wednesday joined groups opposing the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, saying he would undermine rights important to Latinos.

Mario Moreno, regional counsel for the group, cited Thomas’ opposition to affirmative action remedies for discrimination as a reason.

“Saying the Constitution should be interpreted in a colorblind fashion does not make the problems of prejudice and discrimination in this society disappear,” Moreno said. “Indeed, it raises a serious question of whether Judge Thomas really understands the history of discrimination in this country and the need for measures to combat its continued pervasiveness.”

The Los Angeles-based organization, founded in 1968, promotes civil rights for Latinos. It joins such organizations as the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Women’s Legal Defense Fund in urging the Senate to reject President Bush’s nomination of Thomas, a black conservative court of appeals judge who was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission through most of the Ronald Reagan Administration.

Maria Holleran-Rivera, president of the Hispanic Bar Assn. of the District of Columbia, also stated her group’s opposition to Thomas at a joint news conference.