FYI

From the Pride Center:

Pride Center Says ‘NO’ to the “COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVE” -
Don’t Sign! It’s AMENDMENT 2 All Over Again!

The Pride Center opposes the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative. If
asked to sign this petition, be aware it will work to DESTROY Equal
Rights in Colorado!

The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative opens with the following
language: “The state shall not discriminate against or grant
preferential treatment to any group or individual on the basis of
race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of
public employment, public contracting, or public education.”

While this may sound great for supporters of equal rights, what you
may not realize is that the phrase “or grant preferential treatment”
will effectively REMOVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN COLORADO.

If you see this language, don’t sign!!!

DECLINE TO SIGN THE COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS PETITION! IT IS AMENDMENT 2
ALL OVER AGAIN!

California millionaire Ward Connerly and a far-right fringe in
Colorado are gathering signatures on a petition to amend the Colorado
State Constitution. This sneaky and Amendment 2-like law is being
called the “Colorado Civil Rights Initiative”. The petition never
mentions the words “affirmative action”. But if successful, it will
result in the end of all affirmative action programs for women, LGBT
people and people of color in the state, including programs in
education, employment and contracts. Remember - Affirmative Action is
NOT about quotas. It’s about ensuring all people have access to equal
opportunity. Connerly and his cohorts need only 76,000 valid voter
signatures to get this attack onto the ballot in November 2008. We can
stop them before this makes it to the ballot: DECLINE TO SIGN!

If you are approached to sign petitions for the so-called Colorado
Civil Rights Initiative, remember:

- This petition threatens the important progress Colorado has made
toward equal opportunity for women, LGBT people and people of color in
education, employment and state contracts.

- This petition threatens to resegregate the faculty and student body
at CU-Boulder.

- This petition threatens to end programs to introduce girls to
careers in math, science and engineering.

- This petition threatens services provided to two Ute tribes through
the State Commission on Indian affairs.

- This petition would help outlaw all affirmative action for women,
LGBT people and people of color in Colorado including outreach,
training and mentoring programs.

- This petition is dangerous and divisive - Decline to sign!!!

- This petition is an attack on equal opportunity

The Pride Center will continue to provide information about this
deceptive initiative so that we can prevent another AMENDMENT 2 in
Colorado.

MORE BACKGROUND FROM COLORADO UNITY:

THIS PETITION WILL TURN BACK THE CLOCK
The State of Colorado has made precious progress toward equality and
integration. Affirmative action has been critical to the progress that
we have achieved so far. Women now earn approximately 77 cents to
every dollar earned by a man. Latinos and African-Americans have
progressed in education and employment. But it is obvious that we
still have a long way to go. Equal opportunity and affirmative action,
a modest measure designed to help level the playing field, will help
us get there. Don’t sign away equal opportunity. If you are approached
by a petition carrier…Decline to sign!!!

THIS PETITION IS DECEPTIVE
This effort is an attempt to hoodwink Colorado voters into
dismantling equal opportunity through a so-called “civil rights
initiative”, the real aim of which is to overturn laws and programs
that the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and the Women’s
Rights Movement of the 70s and 80s, secured in Colorado. Even if the
petition carrier who approaches you is African-American, LGBT, Latino
or a woman, remember that this is an attempt to fool you. Decline to
sign!!!

TAKE ACTION!

Have you witnessed or heard about troubling occurrences involving
CCRI petition carriers? Tell us about it! Call Colorado Unity at
303.628.3895.