Judge Gonzalo Curiel told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was a member of the National Hispanic Bar Association.

Hat tip here to the Conservative Tree House and attorney Mark Pulliam. The Tree House reports this press release from the group the Judge belongs to, dated July 2, 2015… days after Donald Trump announced for president. Here’s the Tree House link, and here is the official NHBA link:

Here’s the text of the release:

THE HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION REJECTS TRUMP’S RACIST ASSERTIONS Washington, DC — The Hispanic National Bar Association represents the interests of nearly 54 million Hispanics/Latinos in the United States, which is approximately 17% of the U.S. population. By his recent derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants, Donald Trump’s disrespect of such a large segment of the population of America is not only unbelievable, but outright wrong. His comment that Mexico only sends rapists and criminals to the United States reveals a racist nature that cannot and will not go unnoticed by the Hispanic National Bar Association nor the Latino community. Those who seek our highest public office should attempt to engage all Americans, not divide us. His comments are clearly divisive and racist and do nothing to promote equality and justice for all. Trump’s statements reveal a bias that all Americans should reject and respond to accordingly. We cannot stand silent and allow Trump to promote such racist and discriminatory behavior. This is the time for all Americans to take a stand against his insensitive, offensive and untrue statements. The HNBA calls for a boycott of all of Trump business ventures, including golf courses, hotels, and restaurants. We salute NBC/Universal, Univision and Macy’s for ending their association with Trump, and we join them in standing up against bigotry and racist rhetoric. Other businesses and corporations should follow the lead of NBC/Universal, Univision and Macy’s and take similar actions against Donald Trump’s business interests. We can and will make a difference. Cynthia D. Mares

HNBA National President

And there, right there is the game. The guy who supports a colorblind America is the racist. The group that self-selects by ethnicity and tries to inject the “wise Latina” (to quote Justice Sonia Sotomayor) racially divisive view of judging by race/ethnicity and the Constitution are the future.

In short, this is the old segregationist philosophy re-branded as “identity politics.”

I repeat JFK: “Race has no place in American life or law.” JFK was right. The Judge is wrong. The HNBA is wrong. And it is time to stop this country from being dragged backwards to one of the most shameful episodes in American history.