FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2020
Contact: Duc Luu

The projected defeat of Proposition 16 demonstrates that there is much more work to be done to promote equality and combat racism and sexism in California. By maintaining the ban on affirmative action, our state will continue to deny policymakers powerful tools to level the playing field for people of color and women in business, education and public employment.

For now, California will remain one of only nine states in the country that prohibits affirmative action, causing women and minority-owned businesses in our state to lose $1 billion annually in public contracts. The ban could also continue to hinder potential race-conscious policies to overcome racial disparities in our K-12 schools, recruit more educators of color, and strengthen college admissions policies to better serve Black, Latinx and other underrepresented students. We must ensure that such injustices do not persist by continuing our fight for racial and gender equality.

Public Advocates is proud to have served as a member of the Proposition 16 steering committee. Comprised of courageous legislators, civil rights groups, women and minority business owners, and student organizers, the committee worked tirelessly to achieve what would have been an historic milestone for social justice. We extend our most profound respect and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the campaign.

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Public Advocates is a nonprofit civil rights law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and discrimination. For nearly fifty years it has strengthened community voices in public policy and achieved tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation, and climate justice.