Debate on Arizona Civil Rights Initiative at the UA

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Debate on Arizona Civil Rights Initiative at the UA

The debate will consider the potential effects the initiative could have on services that focus on people of color.

By University Communications
April 17, 2008

Some say the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative would get rid of unjust privileges for certain groups while others say it poses serious problems for programs and services that target people of color and low-income populations.

The proposed amendment to the state constitution would prohibit preferences or discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin and deals specifically with education, employment and contracting in the public sector.

Opponents and proponents will discuss the initiative, which will be on the ballot in November, during a student-coordinated debate Monday at The University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center. The event is free and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Confirmed speakers include Clint Bolick, who directs the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation, and Dennis J. Shields, dean of the Phoenix School of Law.

UA law professor Barbara A. Atwood will moderate the discussion and allow time for audience questions and small group discussions.

Last month, a town hall was held at the UA to discuss ways that the measure could affect programs that focus on students of color, including the University's four minortiy student centers.

The measure is backed by American Civil Rights Institute founder and Chairman Ward Connerly. The California-based nonprofit organization opposes granting perferences on the basis of race and gender and has helped similiar measures pass in states including California and Michigan.

The events was coordinated by African American Student Affairs, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, the Asian American Law Students Association, Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Black Law Students Association, The Federalist Society, the Latino Law Students Association, the Native American Law Students Association, Pride Law, the Social Justice Leadership Center and the YWCA of Tucson.