DEFEND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AGAINST WARD CONNERLY'S ATTACK

WHEREAS, Ward Connerly and a far-right fringe of the Republican Party are attempting to nullify the U.S. Supreme Court's June 23, 2003, decision upholding affirmative action at the University of Michigan Law School (Grutter v. Bollinger) by launching the misnamed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI), which would outlaw all affirmative action for women and minorities in Michigan; and

WHEREAS, this initiative is aimed at overturning affirmative action nationally by undercutting the Grutter decision.  If it succeeds, this initiative would not only resegregate the University of Michigan and the other colleges and universities in Michigan but give new momentum to Connerly and his right-wing allies who are set on reversing the progress our nation has made toward equality for women and minorities in education and employment; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission has documented massive fraud in the way that the supporters of MCRI gathered signatures to put MCRI on the ballot.  Tens of thousands of black residents were systematically told that MCRI was a measure to protect affirmative action, and many have since demanded that their names be removed from the MCRI petitions; and

WHEREAS, our society has made precious progress toward equality and integration; affirmative action has been critical to the progress that we have achieved so far:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers oppose the MCRI and its placement on the ballot through fraudulent means and write a public letter stating this and consider joining the federal lawsuit opposing the fraud.