WASHINGTON – Today, members of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice)—Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)—mourn the passing of John A. Payton, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s president and director-counsel.
“John was a trailblazer in the civil rights movement and a true champion for justice,” said Mee Moua, AAJC’s president and executive director. “While I am deeply saddened by the news of his untimely passing, I am grateful for his leadership and great commitment to equality and social justice. He will be sorely missed.”
AAJC and APALC had a long relationship working with Payton during his time in the private sector and at LDF on protecting civil rights by joining amicus briefs on significant cases brought before the Supreme Court. Payton was instrumental in Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District v. Holder, which preserved a critical provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and he litigated affirmative action cases, Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger. The success in Grutter ensured that courts recognize the value of a racially diverse student body. Payton was a strong supporter of diversity efforts.
"We are saddened by the loss of John Payton, whose leadership encouraged important collaborations amongst so many in the civil rights community who share his vision of justice for all," said Laboni Hoq, litigation director at APALC. "His passion for social justice lives in the work of LDF and our continuing collaborations."
