Below are the press releases from Arizona announcing what was difficult to accomplish last year via signature drive has been accomplished by legislative vote. The signature-drive last appeared to have enough signatures but was disqualified by Arizona municipal clerks on technicalities because their signature margin was too close and AzCRI didn't have enough time to complete challenges to the challenges against the signatures.
Arizona voters will have the opportunity they missed last year in 2010, and its an issue we'll continue to follow for Michiganders interested and those that helped in 2006 pass the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI).
CONTACT: Max Fose 602.222.4704 max@workwithiws.com Max McPhail 602.710.0430 mm@arizonacri.org
Arizona Moves to Guarantee Everyone Fair and Equal Treatment
Initiative Banning Race and Gender Discrimination and Preferences Cleared for 2010 Ballot
PHOENIX, AZ – (June 22, 2009) – Arizona has just taken a major step towards dismantling race and gender preferences and discrimination in state and local government. Today, the state Senate voted to place an initiative on the 2010 general election ballot barring discrimination against – or preferential treatment for – any individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. The Arizona House approved identical legislation last week.
“Today we are giving Arizonans an opportunity to tell our government to end this form of legalized discrimination once and for all,” remarked Rachel Alexander, Chair of the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative.
“I am appalled personally by the thought that government tells me that I am not good enough to compete,” added Arizona State Representative Steve Montenegro (R-Litchfield Park), sponsor of the House version of the legislation.
While several other states have launched similar ballot initiatives through signature gathering campaigns, Arizona is the first legislature to refer the Civil Rights Initiative to the ballot. If approved by Arizona voters next year, the measure would amend the state constitution to effectively end Affirmative Action programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education and public contracting.
Alexander continued, “We are responding to a clear message from our citizens who are fed up with the government favoring members of one race or sex while discriminating against another.” She noted that a recent Wilson Research Strategies survey of likely Arizona voters found that large majorities oppose preferential policies in college admissions, government employment and government contracting.
Senator Russell Pearce, sponsor of the Senate version of the measure noted: "Affirmative Action and other forms of race and gender based preferences have created an uneven playing field for too long in Arizona. Now our voters will have a chance to put an end to this form of government discrimination once and for all."
"Today's vote is a major milestone on the road to restoring true fairness and equality in public life,” commented Arizona Senate President Bob Burns. “The citizens of Arizona are telling us they want to move away from Affirmative Action and toward equal opportunity for all," he added.
Arizona’s effort to effectively end the system of race and gender preferences was bolstered by educational and research efforts of the American Civil Rights Institute, a nationally recognized non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to educating the public about the harms of racial and gender preferences. Ward Connerly, along with, ACRI’s sister organization, the American Civil Rights Coalition (ACRC) has been instrumental in promoting similar efforts in California, Washington, Michigan and Nebraska. “This historic moment for Arizona would not have been possible without the experience, guidance and support of the American Civil Rights Institute and American Civil Rights Coalition,” remarked Max McPhail, Executive Director of the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative committee.
“What’s happening in Arizona is the continuation of a trend that began over a decade ago in California,” observed ACRI founder Ward Connerly, who led the successful passage of California’s Proposition 209 in 1996. “There is simply no place for race or gender preferences in American law and public institutions,” he added.
A recent Quinnipiac University National Poll finds American voters overwhelmingly in favor of abolishing Affirmative Action. The survey also shows voters disagree by more than 3 to 1 with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s ruling in favor of racial preferences in a case involving firefighters in New Haven, CT.
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CONTACT: Max McPhail 602.710.0430 mm@arizonacri.org Max Fose 602.222.4704 max@workwithiws.com MEDIA ADVISORY - REVISED
Arizona Voters to Decide on Ending Affirmative Action
WHAT: Press conference on today's Arizona Senate vote to place an initiative on the 2010 general election ballot that would effectively end Affirmative Action.
WHO: Ward Connerly, President, American Civil Rights Institute Rep. Russell Pearce (Senate Sponsor) Rep. Steve Montenegro (House Sponsor) House Speaker Kirk Adams (schedule permitting) Senate President Bob Burns (schedule permitting) Clint Bolick, Dir., Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation, Goldwater Institute
WHEN: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 3:45pm
WHERE: Arizona State Senate - Hearing Room #3
WHY: To end race, ethnic and gender-based preferences and discrimination by government in public employment, public education and public contracting.
BACKGROUND: The Arizona Senate today approved a measure that would allow voters to decide whether to enact a constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination against – or preferential treatment for – any individual based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. The Arizona House approved identical legislation last week. The measure has been championed by Ward Connerly, who has successfully led similar efforts in California, Michigan, Washington and Nebraska.
Tuesday, June 23 is the sixth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the University of Michigan’s racial preference admission program.
*All participants are available for in-person, telephone and satellite interviews.*
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Max Fose 602.222.4704 max@workwithiws.com, or Max McPhail 602.710.0430 mm@arizonacri.org ###
