Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Statement in Response to Supreme Court Ruling Abandoning Precedent in Franchise Tax Board of California v. Hyatt

In response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Franchise Tax Board of California v. Hyatt, where the court ruled that a state cannot be sued in the courts of another state without its consent, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law released the following statement:

"The decision issued by the Supreme Court in this case abandons well-settled precedent that had been in place for 40 years" said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

"No significant change in factual circumstances or evidence of unworkability warranted the Court's unusual decision to disturb this long-standing precedent. Right now, we are witnessing coordinated attacks on Roe v. Wade, affirmative action and more across the country. The forces driving these cases are banking on a Supreme Court majority that will be willing to reopen guiding precedent and remake the law," Clarke continued.

"This action by the Supreme Court sends a dangerous message that its precedents are fair game and that prior rulings may not be adhered to. This action also suggests that it's open season when it comes to precedents that have long safeguarded civil rights and reproductive freedom in our country."