Congressman Calls Head of Rights Panel a Reagan ‘Lackey’
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WASHINGTON — Rep. Parren J. Mitchell (D-Md.) Wednesday accused Civil Rights Commission Chairman Clarence M. Pendleton Jr. of being a Reagan Administration “lackey” for condemning affirmative action as “immoral” and calling black leaders racist.
Mitchell, who is black, walked out of a civil rights commission hearing on affirmative action after making a short statement protesting a speech Tuesday in which Pendleton criticized many civil rights supporters as “racists.” Pendleton also is black.
“Neither do you deserve any response to the questions, nor do you deserve any recognition, nor do you deserve any respect,” Mitchell told Pendleton.
Mitchell joined major civil rights groups in boycotting the two-day hearing on affirmative action and employment quotas for minorities.
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