The California legislature is voting to place another effort to legalize racial discrimination on the ballot: Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 7.
After a 2014 failed attempt in the Senate and a landslide defeat by voters in 2020, the California legislature has changed its tactics this time.
ACA 7 uses such language to allow state money to fund programs “for increasing the life expectancy of, improving educational outcomes for, or lifting out of poverty specific groups based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or marginalized genders, sexes, or sexual orientations.” Its implementation would undoubtedly lead to de facto quotas and racial preferences.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “The No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
ACA 7 contradicts the Fourteenth Amendment and Prop. 209. California State Constitution Article I Section 31(a) was established by the passage of Prop. 209, or the California Civil Rights Initiative, in 1996. It states: “The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, or public contracting.”
This principle was overwhelmingly reaffirmed on the November 2020 ballot when 57.2% of California voters rejected Prop. 16, which would have repealed Prop 209.
WSJ opined, “It’s ridiculous that California has to have this fight all over again.
ACA 7 is an exercise of bad faith. Voters have made clear they don’t want racial preferences, and the courts say they are illegal. Let’s hope Californians let their legislators know they’ll hold them accountable at the voting booth if they insist on going through with it.”
California is naturally diverse and has gained global competitiveness in all aspects. We don’t need the government to divide us into racial enclaves and allocate education, jobs, and government contracting according to skin color.
For the future of California and for Californians from all backgrounds to be guaranteed equal treatment, we unite in solidarity and hope. We will say “NO” to the attempt to legalize discrimination and restore government preferences! Stop dividing Californians.
“It (Prop. 16) is not about right or left, it is about right or wrong. ” – Ward Connerly
Mr. Connerly is a prominent civil rights champion and former UC regent. In 1996, Mr. Connerly chaired the Proposition 209 campaign under the California Civil Rights Initiative. He has also led similar initiatives in 9 other US states. Now he is the chair and president of Californians for Chair and president of Equal Rights for All (ERFA) leading the fight against efforts repealing Proposition Prop. 209.
In 2020, we, the No on Prop. 16 campaign only received 2 million, and the Yes on Prop 16 collected over 20 million. Despite they outspent us massively, Prop. 16 was defeated in a landslide. Equal Rights for All is putting together a campaign to oppose ACA 7. We cannot do it alone. Should you be willing to defeat ACA 7 with us, please consider donating to https://erfapac.com. As what we did last time, we will launch a passionate and vigorous movement throughout California, efforts that include holding public events, organizing social media campaigns, distributing yard signs, and conducting phone banking.
Author: Sophia L. Wang
Equal Rights for All Board member
Media contact for No on Prop. 16 campaign