3-25-2004

Civil Rights Victory!

Judge Throws Out Anti-Affirmative Action Petitions

Connerly Effort on the Ropes in Michigan
 

Today, Judge Paula J. Manderfield of the Ingham County Circuit Court threw out the anti-affirmative action petitions filed by Ward Connerly and his Michigan followers.

Her decision means that all the signatures that have been gathered are thrown out. The Judge denied the State's request for a stay, which means that her decision goes into effect immediately.

Judge Manderfield sustained the challenge filed by the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary. She agreed with BAMN that the petitions attempted to deceive the voters by failing to inform them that the proposed amendment would alter and abrogate the equal protection provision in the Michigan Constitution.

George B. Washington, the attorney for BAMN, said, "The Judge recognized that the so-called Michigan Civil Rights Initiative was deliberately lying to the citizens. The MCRI cannot repeal Michigan's civil rights laws without telling the voters of their intent. The right of Michigan citizens to civil rights is being protected."

Luke Massie, national co-chair of BAMN, said "The Judge's ruling puts Connerly's anti-civil rights crusade on the ropes. Shred the old petitions and tell the people of Michigan the truth - that's what Judge Manderfield ordered today. The people of Michigan will not agree to end affirmative action. If Connerly proceeds on the truth, his anti-affirmative action efforts will lose. It's time for the segregationists to fold up shop and get out of Michigan."

"BAMN pledges to continue its efforts to defeat any ballot measure to eliminate affirmative action and to nullify our victory at the Supreme Court in Grutter v. Bollinger," said BAMN's National Spokesperson, Shanta Driver. "BAMN's motto that the best defense is a good offense has been proven true here. We pledge to defend all the great gains of the Civil Rights Movement."