Save affirmative action in Missouri,
Decline to sign

Decline to sign the Missouri Civil Rights Initiative petition. This initiative would amend the Missouri Constitution (Section 34. 1.), so affirmative action would no longer exist in the state of Missouri. This would be a step backward for the civil rights of Missourians, even though the initiators of this petition would like for you to believe otherwise.

Ward Connerly, chairman of the American Civil Rights Coalition has proposed similar 2008 ballot initiatives in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Connerly is a wealthy businessman from California who also took heat for the controversial affirmative action-ending proposition initiated in California some years ago.

Don’t be deceived by this petition that urges people to sign to “protect” civil rights. If this initiative gets enough signers, it will be placed on the Nov. 4, 2008 ballot allowing voters to decide to amend the Missouri Constitution. If the initiative passes, it would be detrimental to the rights of women and minorities when being considered for such opportunities as employment and college acceptance.

The Missouri NEA Board of Directors voted to oppose the initiative petition that bans affirmative action. MNEA is part of a broad coalition to stop this signature gathering effort. To learn more about the initiative, who is behind it and what you can do, go to http://www.stl-jwj.org.

Update (May6, 2008)
Anti-Affirmative Action initiative fails to turn in signatures
The anti-affirmative action initiative petition sponsored by Missouri Civil Rights Initiative (MoCRI) was unable to gather enough signatures before the May 4 deadline set by the Secretary of State's office. Thus, this initiative will not be seen on the ballot in November. Read more >>