Standing up for affirmative action
Responding to attempts to abolish all
affirmative-action programs in Georgia, about 600 people,
mostly students, marched in a pouring rain in Atlanta Jan. 22
to support equal opportunity.
The National Youth Connection initiated the march, which was
endorsed by labor, women's, religious, and community groups.
The protest was part of a statewide effort to fight the repeal
of affirmative action here.
Based on California's Proposition 209, the Georgia
legislation would destroy the progress that has been made to
alter institutions and hiring practices rooted in the slavery
and Jim Crow eras. Georgia's affirmative-action programs are
extremely limited as it is-but right-wing legislators are
pressing the offensive against any and all gains won by the
people's movement.
Speakers at the rally called on young people to rely on
themselves-not politicians-to fight against racism and
discrimination.
-Dianne Mathiowetz
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