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 either 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.