Emergency Funding Needed! Help sponsor a bus

SAMPLE RESOLUTION

Adapt this resolution to present to your organization, union local, etc. to gain support for the March on Washington.

Resolution Supporting the
National Civil Rights March on Washington

Whereas:

1. The US Supreme Court will hear the two University of Michigan affirmative action cases, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, on April 1, 2003;

2. The outcome of these two historic cases will determine the legal fate of affirmative action;

3. A victory in these cases can open up a new period of progress toward integration and equality in American education. A victory will help our nation reconcile the contradiction between the segregated, unequal reality of our education system - and the hope and pride that the overwhelming majority of Americans of all races feel in the prospect of integration and equality;

4. A defeat in these cases will outlaw affirmative action everywhere in all contexts throughout America. K-12 desegregation plans would be barred. A defeat for affirmative action in these two cases will make Brown v. Board of Education a dead letter;

5. Only a very strong show of public support can secure a victory for integration and affirmative action in front of the current conservative US Supreme Court;

6. The intervening student defendants in Grutter, the case involving the UM Law School, have initiated a National Civil Rights March on Washington - already Reverend Jesse Jackson, Kim Gandy, the president of the National Organization for Women and Reverend Al Sharpton and many other prominent leaders have pledged to participate; the Michigan AFL-CIO has pledged its participation, and the Detroit Federation of Teachers has pledged $30,000 to build the March. The national conventions of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association voted to support the defense of affirmative action in these two cases.

Therefore Be It Resolved:

1. We endorse the National Civil Rights March on Washington, and will participate to the fullest extent possible to defend Brown v. Board of Education, affirmative action, integration and equality;
2. We urge all student groups, unions, churches, community organizations, government bodies and individuals to publicly endorse, finance, build and attend the historic National Civil Rights March on Washington on April 1, 2003.
3. We will donate $____ to United for Equality and Affirmative Action Legal Defense Fund to help fund march expenses.