In Michigan, activist judges slam the gavel on equal rights
PLF will help seek U.S. Supreme Court review
Sharon,
In a startling decision, a federal appeals court has ruled against Michigan's landmark constitutional amendment that banned racial preferences and discrimination by state and local government.
Ruling 8-7, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative --- which voters enacted as Proposal 2, an amendment to the state constitution --- violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution!
"Think about that for a second --- a constitutional amendment banning discrimination is held to violate the Equal Protection Clause," said PLF attorney Joshua P. Thompson, who authored our amicus brief in support of Proposal 2. "If that doesn't make sense to you, then you understand the ruling perfectly."
The majority invoked a murky doctrine known as "Hunter/Seattle," from two U.S. Supreme Court cases on the initiative process that are both more than 30 years old and that the High Court has never cited since in relation to any law or litigation dealing with race.
In today's PLF Podcast, Joshua Thompson explains why the ruling against Proposal 2 is flat-out wrong --- and why PLF will be working to get the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case.
Your donations help PLF fight for equal rights
Throughout the country, PLF is the leading litigator for equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal justice under law, without regard to anyone's race, ethnicity, or sex. In Michigan, we've been on front lines, defending Proposal 2 --- the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative --- from the beginning, and we're not stopping now. We'll be front-and-center in the effort to get the Supreme Court to take this case!
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