The resignation of United States Attorney General Eric Holder will remove the voice of the White House on issues of civil rights, during a time when the Missouri shooting underscores the importance of the issue.

Following the protest regarding the shooting of the black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, several civil rights advocate fear that the exit of Holder will leave a void in civil rights issues and deprive the Obama administration of its voice.

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In addition, it will also hamper measures that Holder has set in motion, such as challenging state laws that can stifle the rights of Black and Latinos.

Civil rights advocates are worried that Holder measures regarding reform in the criminal justice system, voting rights, and addressing the issue of racial discrimination by the police can be swept aside by his future successor, especially at a time when the government is focused on counterterrorism efforts.

Barbara Arnwire, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights said Holder was the voice of the president when it came to pressing issues of civil rights.

"Holder is an important spokesperson for the administration and that role should not go unfulfilled," she said.

During Holder's speech on Thursday, the Attorney General related how his friendship with the president started when Obama was still an Illinois senator and had idealistic efforts towards becoming a president.

Obama has supported Holder amid controversies and criticisms from Republicans, especially about racial issues.

Holder told the president in his speech that their bond was deeper than that of colleagues,

"In good times and in bad, in things personal and in things professional, you have been there for me," Holder said.

Both men have experienced racial profiling, but since Obama took the presidency, he was restrained in talking publicly about the issue.

On the other hand, according to the president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Wade Henderson, the U.S. attorney general used his role and position, to address issues that were rarely talked about, including that about race.

Tagspolitics, Attorney General, attorney general eric holder, Barack Obama