Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on Apr. 30 that he has joined a coalition of 20 states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, aiming to protect citizens from racial discrimination in employment practices.
The brief supports the State of Missouri’s lawsuit against Starbucks, which alleges that the company’s hiring quotas for people of color constitute racial discrimination. The attorneys general argue that states have the authority to bring lawsuits on behalf of their citizens to promote general welfare and prevent harm.
“Hiring should be based on merit and not the color of your skin,” Wilson said. “As the chief legal officer in South Carolina, I want to ensure that our citizens are protected from racial discrimination when they are looking for a job to provide for their family.”
The South Carolina Attorney General serves as the state’s main legal advocate and enforcer, handling prosecutions and regulatory matters across South Carolina according to the official website. The office also provides support for victims of crime through advocacy and resources, contributing to community safety according to the official website.
Wilson has led these efforts as head of the office, working alongside state law enforcement agencies and solicitors on criminal prosecutions according to the official website. The Attorney General’s responsibilities also include enforcing laws related to securities and consumer protection according to the official website.
Joining Wilson in filing this brief are attorneys general from Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. According to information provided by his office on its official site, these actions reflect ongoing collaboration between state-level officials committed to protecting residents’ rights.
