Thank you to everyone who voted to end race and gender preferences in Michigan! The latest numbers show proposal 2 passing by a huge margin of 58% to 42%.
Check here for the latest official numbers from the Secretary of State.
Proposal 2 is a statewide ballot initiative that will prohibit the state from granting preferential treatment based on skin color or gender in 3 specific areas: public contracting, public employment, and public education.
Proposal 2...
• Reflects the colorblind language of the 1964 Civil Rights Act -- because equal treatment is the essence of civil rights.
• Ends discrimination against groups and individuals based on race or sex for state employment, university admissions, and public contracting.
• Bans quotas and set-aside programs giving every person a fair chance to compete for good paying jobs and college admissions.
Proposal 2 DOES NOT...
• Affect public health facilities, including breast cancer screening centers, fair housing programs, or private scholarships.
• Eliminate outreach or true equal opportunity programs.
• Eliminate Title IX or girls' sports.
Don't listen to the lies by our opposition. Vote YES on 2 TODAY!
Listen to Jennifer Gratz expose the scare tactics that Proposal 2 opponents use and catch Debbie Dingell, co-chair of One United Michigan, in outright lies about their campaign finances.
(Lansing) - Today, the
Michigan
Civil Rights Initiative began its "YES on 2" TV ad campaign. The ad features MCRI Executive Director Jennifer Gratz and ACRC Chairman Ward Connerly. Click below to view the ad.
Debate Should be Focused on Issues not Hyperbole
(Lansing) - Today, the Michigan Association of Scholars released a letter from 30 scholars and others, including the Chair and Vice Chair of the United States Civil Rights Commission, urging all participants in the debate about Proposal 2 to keep the debate focused on the merits of Proposal 2.
"Though we as scholars usually avoid factious political fights it is important that sometimes we enter public debate. Today we do just that to ask both sides of Proposal 2 to focus on the actual effects of the Proposal rather than on scoring rhetorical points," said Professor Howard Schwartz, President Michigan Association of Scholars.
MCRI Executive Director, Jennifer Gratz was interviewed on the O'Reilly Factor last night, detailing some of the outrageous tactics by BAMN and other opposition groups to Proposal 2.
Center for Equal Opportunity Releases Study on the Continued use of Racial Preferences at the University of Michigan.
(Sterling, VA) Three studies released today by the Center for Equal Opportunity document evidence of severe discrimination based on race and ethnicity in undergraduate, law, and medical school admissions at the University of Michigan.
The studies are based on data supplied by the University itself, pursuant to freedom-of-information requests filed by CEO and the Michigan Association of Scholars. The studies were prepared by Dr. Althea Nagai, a research fellow at CEO, and can be viewed on the organization's website, www.ceousa.org.
OUM's Latest Ad Uses Victims of 9-11 and Katrina for their Political Gain Equating 9-11 and MCRI cheapens the loss of the victims of 9-11 and Katrina
One United Michigan has unveiled its latest radio ad that capitalizes on the loss felt by the victims of 9-11 and Katrina to benefit their desperate political campaign.
"I simply don't know where to begin.To think that OUM actually thinks that using the devastating loss felt by the victims of 9-11 or Katrina as a way to convince voters to preserve race preferences smacks of the worst kind of political opportunism.9/11 was a national tragedy that took fathers and mothers from their children.This ad is sad, sick and simply wrong.
Listen to MCRI Executive Director Jennifer Gratz being interviewed on "Talking Politics & Law" with Curt Allen
MCRI Executive Director, Jennifer Gratz was recently interviewed on "Talking Politics and Law" with Curt Allen. Jennifer does a great job at explaining the issue and discussing some of the opposition that MCRI has faced.
"It is time to recognize the apparent collaborative efforts of BAMN and OUM"
Lansing - Today Doug Tietz, Campaign Manager of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, announced the release of the "Quota Quotables Trivia Game".Based on factual, accurately cited quotes the game player tries to guess whether a series of quotes are from either a spokesperson of By Any Means Necessary or One United Michigan.
The game was developed by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative campaign to demonstrate the apparent collaboration and similarities between the groups BAMN and OUM.During game testing even the most experienced campaign experts had difficulty differentiating between the quotes of By Any Means Necessary and One United Michigan.
Gratz: OUM Owes Victims of Reverse Discrimination an Apology
(Lansing) - Today, Jennifer Gratz, Executive Director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative released the following statement: " Once again, the supporters of race and gender preferences, have chosen to attack people and distort the facts rather than debate the issue. By attacking my father, they have stooped to a new low. They owe me and my father an apology."
MCRI Releases "I'm Proud" radio ad Listen to the ad that is so effective, our opponents
don't want you to hear it.
(Lansing) - Today, Doug Tietz, Campaign Manager of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, announced the release of the radio ad entitled "I'm Proud". The sixty-second ad features supporter, Brad Gratz, telling why discrimination based on race is wrong.
On December 14th, 2005 the radical neo-communist organization known as By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), stormed into the board of canvassers meeting in Lansing, yelling obscenities and flipping over a table. After disrupting the meeting, Shanta Driver, BAMN national chairwoman, gives a speech applauding this disgusting behavior.
MCRI Executive Director condemns University Guide "This voter guide lacks scholastic integrity"
Today, Jennifer Gratz, Executive Director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (Proposal 2), condemned a voter guide issued by the Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan.
"This report lacks merit and integrity" said Gratz, "The authors refused to gather information from all sides of the debate. It is a sad day when supposed scholars from the University of Michigan put their personal prejudices ahead of the integrity of their work.
MCRI Releases Second Radio Ad "I read it. I understood it. I signed it."
(Lansing) - Today, Jennifer Gratz, Executive Director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, announced the release of MCRI's newest ad: "I read it. I understood it. I signed it." The sixty second ad features supporter, Patty Alspach, telling why as a Granholm voter she is voting "Yes" on 2.
MCRI starts the “Yes on 2” Radio Campaign “Ads focused on ballot language not scare tactics”
(Lansing) -- Today Jennifer Gratz, Executive Director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, announced the beginning of the “Yes on 2” radio campaign. The 60 second radio ad will appear on radio stations throughout Michigan.
The Jackson Citizen Patriot
Civil-rights proposal: Let the voters decide
Sunday, September 03, 2006
There is bound to be sharp debate over the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. However, it's time for the ballot proposal's adversaries to accept reality: The people of Michigan are capable of deciding this controversial battle on its merits.
BY TERRENCE PELL
Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT
DETROIT--A decision Tuesday by a federal judge in Detroit could set the stage for a sweeping expansion of the Voting Rights Act, which would turn the federal courts into a national campaign police.
At issue is a last-ditch effort by a group trying to prevent citizens from voting on an amendment to the Michigan constitution. Styled after similar campaigns in California and Washington, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative would outlaw the use of racial preferences by state agencies and universities.
DETROIT - Jennifer Gratz, Executive Director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, issued the following statement in response to the Court's decision to dismiss the case filed by the radical group, By Any Means Necessary (BAMN).
"The radical group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) tried to silence more than 500,000 Michigan voters who signed the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative petition. The tactic our opponents use is outrageous and it eliminates our right to free speech. We are pleased by Judge Tarnow's ruling to toss out these frivolous charges, however, his superfluous commentary is a disgusting display of judicial activism. Judge Tarnow, a Clinton appointee and NAACP member, impudently overstepped his bounds demonstrating he is nothing more than a partisan hack in a robe. The judiciary is not a vehicle for politics and I would urge members of Congress to investigate his conduct."
Radical Pro-Racial Preference Group Protests Outside Federal Courthouse
On August 17th, 2006 the radical neo-communist organization known as By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), joined forces with Kwame Kilpatrick and Jennifer Granholm in bringing yet another frivolous lawsuit against MCRI. While MCRI lawyers were inside the courthouse defending the right for ALL Michiganders to vote this fall, radical supporters of BAMN were outside in a disgusting display of vulgarity and chanting. Click below to watch a video of the demonstration.
Warning: This video contains
lewd gestures, foul language, and disturbing behavior. Parental discretion is advised.
Ward Connerly's letter to Governor Granholm regarding her stance on MCRI.
March 17, 2006
The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm
Office of Governor
State of Michigan
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Governor Granholm:
In your March 9, 2005 Guest Column, "Affirmative action ban would hurt state's future," you took great liberties in making reference to me and my motives for supporting and promoting the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI). At the end of your piece, you extended an open invitation for readers to write to you. Because I saw no exception that would prohibit me from accepting that invitation, I am doing so accordingly.
San Francisco Chronicle: UC/CSU
State ranks high in minority graduates
UCLA and UC Berkley leads in National Diversity Ranking
A recent survey by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine has shown
that California Colleges rank in the top 20 in granting undergraduate degrees to minorities, without the use of a blanket racial preference in admissions.
"The Chronicle's story directly debunks the claims of the proponents of racial preferences. Racial preferences do not create a panacea of diversity. Instead the use of racial preferences actually prevents Michigan from achieving real breakthroughs experienced at the UC schools listed in the survey," said MCRI Executive Director Jennifer Gratz.
MCRI Executive Director, Jennifer Gratz, has been touring the state meeting with local supporters and spreading the word that Michigan no longer needs state-sponsored discrimination in its State Government.
Jennifer spoke to MCRI supporters in Houghton Lake and Port Huron, reminding them that a YES vote on MCRI will end race preferences in public hiring, contracting, and education.
If you would like to have Jennifer come speak in your community call 517-699-2582 and ask for Clark to schedule an event today!
Ward Connerly Visits Michigan!
American Civil Rights Institute Chairman and MCRI supporter Ward Connerly visited Michigan last week, meeting with local media and supporters.
MCRI supporters held events in Jackson, Livonia, and Macomb welcoming Ward to Michigan.
Ward plans to visit Michigan more as the campaign progresses. Click the Join a local MCRI group link to learn how to join or start a local MCRI group and possibly have Ward speak in your area!
MCRI Executive Director Tours the Upper Peninsula.
Over the course of 96 hours, Michigan Civil Rights Executive Director, Jennifer Gratz, toured the U.P. holding meetings about the need for ending racial preferences by voting “yes” on MCRI. Read about the trip here:
MIRS news service has reported that a pro-racial preferences group has been accused of breaking federal tax laws by engaging in political action against MCRI, despite having a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation that forbids taking a stance on proposed legislation, including ballot initiatives. The charge could have a drastic financial effect on Michigan United, the group running pro-racial preferences TV ads in Michigan and engaging in other campaign activities with One United Michigan.
Read the facts about the Chairman Mark Bernstein and the so-called Michigan Civil Rights Commission. Only 17 days after delivering a ‘impartial’ report Mark Bernstein hosts a high-dollar fundraiser for the advocates of racial preferences.
Statement Regarding BAMN National Chairman's Intimidation Tactics
Today, Doug Tietz, Michigan Civil Rights Initiative Campaign Manager, gave the following statement after Jennifer Gratz, MCRI spokeswoman, was threatened with a switchblade in the presence of others and in a public building while she was in Detroit.
Read more...
BAMN Threatens MCRI Supporters
Our opponents are desperately trying to scare and
frighten donors away from supporting MCRI. This
“Operation Kings Dream” is merely a front group for
BAMN. What they don’t understand is how knowledgeable
and principled our supporters truly are.
Ward Connerly Visits Michigan! 84 Hour Whistle Stop Tour a Success
In just under 84 hours, Ward Connerly, American Civil Rights Coalition Chairman, conducted a record setting whistle stop tour of Michigan speaking in support of the Michigan Civil Rights in Flint, Saginaw, Oakland County, Macomb Twp, Utica, Hillsdale, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing. Here's just a sampling of the 6 newspaper interviews, 7 radio appearances, and 4 television interviews from the whistle stop tour.
We've gathered 508,202 signatures and the people of Michigan will have an opportunity on November 7, 2006 to amend the state constitution to finally end state-sponsored discrimination.
