6 - The Michigan Daily - Orientation Edition 2004
MCRI
Gratz speaks for MCRI.
amidst massive protest
February 13, 2004
By Alison Go
and Kristen Przybylski
Daily Staff Reporters
With more than 50 protesters and tight security
detail outside the Michigan Union Pond Room,
Jennifer Gratz voiced her support for a statewide
ban on affirmative action policies last night.
The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative looks to
include an initiative that would ban race-con-
scious government policies, such as public uni-
versity admissions, on this November's ballot.
Gratz, one of the plaintiffs in the University's
admissions lawsuits last year and the executive
director of the MCRI, hosted her first public pres-
entation at the University since the U.S. Supreme
Court's decision was handed down.
Gratz sued the University in December 1997,
challenging the undergraduate point system
that automatically granted 20 points to Hispan-
ics, blacks and Native Americans. The court
upheld the Law School's policy of using race as
a factor in admissions.
The University retracted its admissions policies
last fall, eliminating the point system and imple-
menting a more intensive application process.
Although the College Republicans, who
brought Gratz to campus, are bound to party lines
and do not officially endorse the MCRI, Gratz
spoke extensively on how members of the Uni-
versity could support the initiative.
"You could decide to endorse the MCRI as a
campus group, you could decide to endorse the
MCRI as an individual (or) you could decide to
collect signatures," Gratz said. "The hard part
is getting this on the ballot. Once we get this
on the ballot, I think we have a great chance of
getting it passed."
Outside, protesters chanted and harassed
members of the College Republicans, before
and during Gratz's presentation. Undeterred,
Gratz acknowledged the role and determina-
tion of the demonstrators.
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Members of BAMN protest last night outside the Michigan Union Pond Room where Jennifer Gratz spoke.
University Department of Public Safety officers guarded the area.
MCRI to focus on '06 ballot *
June 1, 2004
By Aymar Jean
Daily Staff Reporter
Following months of organizational and legal
challenges, the petition drive to end race-con-
scious programs in Michigan has again reiterat-
ed its intention to halt this year's campaign.
Yesterday, state Rep. Leon Drolet (R-Clinton
Township), who co-chairs the campaign,
announced that the Michigan Civil Rights Initia-
tive intends to focus its efforts on getting its pro-
posed amendment to the state constitution on
the ballot for 2006 instead of this year.
"The intent now is to qualify for the '06 bal-
lot," Drolet told the Associated Press.
His statements follow a recent rift in MCRI's
organization, where a number of members left
the formal campaign over this very issue:
whether the organization should temporarily halt
the current campaign, which strives to eliminate
the use of race, ethnicity and gender in public
education and employment.
Drolet's decision to announce the initiative's
new focus resulted, in part, from the illness of
Ward Connerly, who is the main proponent and
financial backer of MCRI.
This is not the first time MCRI officials have
made this claim. Former treasurer Leonard
Schwarz stated last month that the campaign
would be a "waste of time and money" and
declared it "suspended." Around the same time,
Drolet announced it was "dead in the water."
In the midst of the organizational disunity,
MCRI has faced considerable legal challenges.
Months ago, opposition groups - primarily
BAMN and also Citizens for a United Michigan
- filed lawsuits against the campaign because
they claimed its petition form was misleading.
MCRI, they argued, is attempting to alter an
existing provision in the state constitution guar-
anteeing equal protection but not informing
signers of the petition.
The court case still resides in the state Court
of Appeals. Oral arguments are scheduled for
June 8, MCRI Director of Outreach Chetly
Zarko said. The decision could come down days
afterward.
With a deadline of 317,757 signatures due
by July 6 - and, according to MCRI esti-
mates, 425,000 signatures by June 15 - the
initiative faces considerable difficulty in
achieving its goal.
But, despite statements by at least four of sen-@
ior MCRI officials and the alleged illness of
Connerly, Zarko said the campaign will press
forward, hoping to make the deadline for the
November ballot this year.
"It's doable," he said. "We're waiting for
the court decision before we make a formal
decision either way."
Thecampaign currently has a raw count of
about 20,000 to 40,000 signatures collected by
volunteer circulators. A paid circulator effort S
began last week, slightly behind schedule
because of the numerous legal delays, and is
expected to collect the necessary signatures to
complete the initiative.