Ward Connerly Announces Exploratory Efforts in Eight States for Civil Rights Initiatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday – December 12, 2006
Contact: Diane Schachterle (916) 444-2278 or ds@acri.org
Sacramento, CA --Today, the American Civil Rights Coalition (ACRC) announces the formation of exploratory committees to bring Civil Rights Initiatives to as many as eight new states: Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Utah. These voter initiatives seek to make it unconstitutional for state and local governments to discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any group or individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public contracting, and public education.
Voter initiatives have proven to be a successful means to ending these discriminatory policies. Successful voter initiatives have passed in California (1996; 55%-45%), Washington (1998; 59%-41%) and Michigan (2006; 58%-42%). Those interested in helping organize these campaigns should contact the ACRC office.
Ward Connerly, chairman of the American Civil Rights Coalition said, "Affirmative action programs that give preference based on race or sex have become nothing more than state-sponsored discrimination. It is our opinion that the overwhelming majority of the American people believe everyone, regardless of skin color or sex, should have an equal chance to compete for good paying jobs and college admission." Mr. Connerly continued, "Diversity and other good intentions should not trump equal treatment under the law."
"The people of California, Washington, and Michigan have shown that institutions that implement these programs are living on borrowed time," said Mr. Connerly. "We hope to have a 'Super-Tuesday' in 2008, bringing this nation one step closer to realizing the promise of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- color-blind government."
Connerly emphasized that not all eight states will be selected for initiatives but probably two to five would.
ACRC works with grassroots supporters and leaders on the local, state and federal level to end racial and gender preferences and classifications. ACRC engages in activities such as initiative campaigns and lobbying and is committed to achieving equal opportunity for everyone.
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