>>> "Ganges, Tendaji" <[log in to unmask]> 6/13/2006 3:53 PM >>>
People -
For those who haven't yet heard the announcement (see story pasted in
below), yesterday the Michigan Civil Rights Commission conducted press
conference in three Michigan cities (Detroit, Lansing and Grand
Rapids) where they announced the results of their study wherein they
contend "...that efforts to place the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative
(MCRI) on the [November 7, 2006] ballot appeared to be based upon a
massive campaign of fraud and deceit." The Commission has requested
that the "...Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox...launch an
investigation of criminal fraud into the gathering of petition
signatures. The Commission will also urge the Legislature to draft
strong preventative laws to prohibit similar conduct in the future."
The Commission has also requested that "...the Michigan Supreme
Court...reverse its earlier decision declining to hear the role that
fraud may have played in the MCRI effort to over turn the landmark
2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision."
This is powerful news that hopefully will push greater numbers of
people to demand that these findings and assertions be thoroughly
investigated. Likewise, the mere fact that this issue is being pursued
means that greater publicity will help to alert and inform people
about exactly what this ballot proposal is actually all about. Please
help by distributing this information far and wide.
We need to be working on EVERY front:
1. Let's keep up the pressure for the Michigan Supreme Court to
reverse itself and then to hear the case.
2. Let's push to have Proposition 2 (the proposed constitutional
amendment that would ban Affirmative Action) removed from the November
7, 2006 ballot.
3. If we can't get the proposition thrown off the ballot, then
let's continue to spread the word, educate folks about the real
issues, and urge everyone to get out and vote on November 7, 2006.
(REMEMBER: We must vote NO to RETAIN Affirmative Action. The
proposition is worded such that a yes vote would outlaw Affirmative
Action. THE DECEPTION CONTINUES!!!)
4. In a worst case scenario, let's make certain that everyone
becomes well informed on the issues and the potential impact should
this proposition somehow mange to squeak by and become law.
Yes, we surely have our work cut out for us. Let's work to make
certain that step number 4, above, will not be necessary for us.
Instead, let's dedicate ourselves to WINNING! The alternative is
totally unacceptable!!!
Tendaji
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"It probably doesn't really matter how many times you trip and fall.
Just remember to get up one more time than you fall down."
~ Author Unknown
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Michigan Civil Rights Commission Calling on Supreme Court and Attorney
General to Take Action Regarding MCRI Fraud
www.michigan.gov <http://www.michigan.gov/>
Release Date: June 09, 2006
Last Update: June 09, 2006
Contact: Harold Core 517-241-3986
Agency: Civil Rights
After a six-month investigation, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission
on Monday, June 12, 2006, will release a report which finds that
efforts to place the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) on the
ballot appeared to be based upon a massive campaign of fraud and
deceit.
At press conferences scheduled for Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids
this Monday, the Commission will call on the Michigan Supreme Court to
reverse its earlier decision declining to hear the role that fraud may
have played in the MCRI effort to over turn the landmark 2003 Grutter
v. Bollinger decision. That decision upheld the use of affirmative
action at the University of Michigan Law School. The specific times
and locations of the press conferences are provided at the end of this
release.
Additionally, the Commission will call on Michigan Attorney General
Mike Cox to launch an investigation of criminal fraud into the
gathering of petition signatures. The Commission will also urge the
Legislature to draft strong preventative laws to prohibit similar
conduct in the future.
This unprecedented action by MCRC follows an investigation and special
hearings that were held in Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
Hundreds of citizens described in detail, experiences of fraud and
deception by agents of MCRI in their efforts to obtain signatures.
During the investigation, representatives of the MCRI repeatedly
refused requests by the Commission to present their perspectives or
provide information to refute the allegations.
"Acts of misrepresentation occurred across the state, in multiple
locations in the same communities, and over long periods of time,"
MCRC Chair Mark Bernstein said. "It appears that the acts documented
in the report represent a highly coordinated, systematic strategy
involving many circulators and, most importantly, thousands of
voters."
The fraud allegations arose after hundreds of citizens complained that
MCRI canvassers claimed that their petition was in support of
affirmative action, when its actual intent is to ban the use of race
and gender as a consideration in university admissions and government
hiring, employment and contracting. Allegations of fraud became
especially troubling following a petition filed with the Court of
Appeals by the MCRI, alleging that the Board of Canvassers lacked the
authority to investigate the fraudulent gathering of petition
signatures. The petition, which was granted, effectively precluded
the Board from examining the issue of fraud to determine if the claims
had any basis.
Linda V. Parker, Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights,
said, "It is appalling that such a radical change to our Constitution
could be brought about through such blatant dishonesty."
Although the deception was widespread reaching every corner of our
state, African American citizens seemed to be deliberately targeted by
the campaign, and thus disparately impacted by the fraud. "As a
consequence, the MCRC explicitly has both the constitutional authority
and responsibility to act when one particular race is singled out and
their civil rights are so grossly and profoundly violated, as in this
case," she said.
The results of MCRC hearings were not based on the actions of a few
disgruntled opponents of MCRI who are putting forth baseless claims of
fraud.
"At least two circuit court judges believed they were deceived into
signing the petition as does Hannah McKinney, the Mayor of Kalamazoo,"
said Bernstein. "Attorneys, educators and other professionals have
also testified or signed affidavits as to how they were purposely
tricked and deceived into signing the petition."
Parker said the Commission believes that the number of people who have
come forward is just the "tip of the iceberg."
"Notwithstanding MCRI officials' statements to the contrary," she
said. "There is substantial credible testimony that MCRI's efforts to
change the Constitution of the State of Michigan rest on a foundation
of fraud and misrepresentation."
The press conferences will be held on Monday, June 12, at the below
locations:
9 a.m., Cadillac Place
3054 West Grand Boulevard, Suite L-150
Detroit, MI 48202
1 p.m., Lansing Executive Office
Capitol Tower Building, Suite 800
110 W. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
4 p.m., Grand Rapids Public Schools Administrative Offices
1331 Franklin Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
Copyright (c) 2006 State of Michigan
Source: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/0,1607,7-138--145077--,00.html
Date Site Visited: 061306
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