America Added to 'Global' Human Rights Watchlist: Trump Overturned Civil Rights Order That Prevents Federal Contractors from Having Segregated Worksites

President Trump/Shutterstock

According to TIME, America was placed on the global Human Rights Watchlist because the Trump administration continues to undermine U.S. citizens' civil liberties.

The most recent change made by the current administration was the reversal of a Civil Rights directive that prevented federal contractors from segregating their work facilities. This directive was originally established in the 1960s, during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, who also introduced the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibits racial segregation in schools, public accommodations, and employment discrimination. Additionally, Johnson enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration has eliminated the longstanding directive as a decision of a broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion policies within government operations. The rule ensured that federal contractors could not maintain segregated facilities—such as waiting rooms, work areas, restrooms, lunchrooms, and water fountains designated for specific races or groups. With this change, President Trump has overturned that directive.

Photographer and Activist, Cecil J. Williams

According to a report by TIME, the country was placed on the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist this month due to President Trump's numerous radical changes that have affected fundamental liberties, including the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Following his reelection, President Trump declared, "We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government." He also promised to defund colleges and universities that continued to implement DEI policies.

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According to the Commercial Appeal, President Trump describes DEI initiatives as "radical and wasteful," "illegal and immoral discrimination," and "anti-white racism." As reported by The New York Times, Stephanie Joseph, a spokeswoman for the General Services Administration (GSA), stated that the GSA will "continue to ensure that our federal contractors comply with long-established civil rights provisions found in U.S. laws." She also emphasized that the GSA is committed to supporting the president's directive to streamline the federal contracting process, with the goals of restoring merit-based opportunities, enhancing speed and efficiency, and reducing costs.

Due to President Trump's orders to eliminate DEI policies, several regressive steps have been taken nationwide. For instance, the Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, D.C., has been removed. The Trump administration has also suggested the possibility of selling the Montgomery Bus Station, which houses the historic Freedom Rides Museum—a national landmark and important historical site. If the sale goes through, a significant piece of U.S. history will be lost, and detrimental to the memory of the many social and freedom movements that battled inequality during the 1960s. Additionally, Google indicates that the museum is temporarily closed.

Amid all of the charges, The U.S. Defense Department recently removed several stories and elements of American history from its website. The removal of information about Jackie Robinson, a former World War II veteran and Major League Baseball icon caught the media's attention. It was later discovered that the Defense Department also deleted articles on the Navajo Code Talkers, who played a crucial role in helping the Allies win World War II, as well as on Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian Marine who was one of the six men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima in the iconic photograph. MSNBC reported that these actions were "a clear attempt to erase non-white, non-male voices from the country’s history." Following public outcry, the information was restored.

Jackie Robinson/Shutterstock

A number of companies have reduced or abandoned DEI programs, including Target, Amazon, John Deere, Starbucks, PepsiCo, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, Molson Coors, META, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup.

Yet, some entities are taking action. According to Source New Mexico, the New Mexico Supreme Court has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the justice system. The court released the following statement: "For 123 years, these words have served as a guidepost to the Justices and a promise to all New Mexico... As we face challenges and pushback at the federal level against inclusivity efforts, the Supreme Court of New Mexico affirms our commitment to these values. As stewards of justice, we recognize that a just legal system must reflect and respect the diverse communities that it serves...We remain devoted to eliminating barriers to justice, promoting equal access, and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and fairness regardless of race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, indigency status, physical, mental, or developmental disability or condition, age, English language proficiency, parenting status, or pregnancy."

New Mexico's Supreme Court/Photo/Source New Mexico

Apple is one of several companies that are reaffirming their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). According to public records, 97 percent of shareholders rejected an anti-DEI proposal during this month's shareholder meeting. Other corporations that continue to support DEI initiatives include Delta Air Lines, Costco, e.l.f. Beauty, Ben & Jerry's, Etsy, Dollar Tree, Lidl, Ikea, and Shutterstock.

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