A three-judge panel of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Proposition 209, a 1996 voter initiative that banned the use of race in state-operated colleges and universities in California. The appeals court panel ruled that the ban does not violate students’ rights under the U.S. Constitution.
The court upheld a 2010 decision in a district court case. The suit was filed by the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality by Any Means Necessary, commonly known as BAMN. The coalition has vowed to take the case to the full Ninth Circuit Court.
“If the Ninth Circuit will not open up the universities, the students will open them up by their own actions,” said Matt Williams, a BAMN organizer. “BAMN will continue the fight to ensure that Latina/o and black students have access to the University of California in the courts and in the streets.”
