Virginia NAACP Set to Sue Youngkin on DEI FOIAs; Del. Feggans Scores Second Bill Signed Into Law

🚩 There are 69 days until the U.S. House and U.S. Senate primaries on June 18, 2024. Early voting begins in 23 days on May 3rd.
🚩 There are 209 days until Election Day November 5, 2024.
☺️ Thank you to all of our subscribers and readers.

VA NAACP to Youngkin: Get Set to Get Sued on DEI FOIAs

Virginia State Conference of the NAACP serves Governor Youngkin’s Office with notice of intent to sue for violation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act

NAACP release from April 9, 2024: The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP served Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Office with a notice of intent to sue for violation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700 et seq. The notice was accompanied by a copy of the lawsuit the Virginia NAACP intends to file detailing the Governor’s failure to produce any records responsive to the group’s request for public information sent on August 31, 2023.

The requested records relate to the Youngkin Administration’s active subversion of his and his administration’s responsibilities under a 2020 law that created the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) for the Commonwealth with the duties to promote inclusive practices in state government, address systemic inequities in state government practices, and facilitate equity policy. The request also sought records of the Governor’s communications with state universities over their DEI efforts, and other related matters. Link to our Virginia FOIA Exhibits.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Ropes & Gray LLP represent the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP.