Campaign to Defeat 209

FAQ About Campaign to Defeat 209
News Updates from Campaign to Defeat 209
How to Reach Campaign to Defeat 209

FAQ about Campaign to Defeat 209

What is the Campaign to Defeat 209?

The Campaign to Defeat 209 is a broad-based coalition of state and national organizations who are committed to defeating Proposition 209, also deceptively called the "California Civil Rights Initiative" (CCRI). Return

Why is Campaign to Defeat 209 opposed to Proposition 209?

Proposition 209, which will appear on the 1996 California ballot, will ban equal opportunity programs designed to remedy race and gender discrimination in public employment, education and contracting. Proposition 209 eliminates all equal opportunity efforts such as affirmative action, outreach, recruitment, mentoring, and tutoring programs in public employment, education and contracting. Return

What will be affected by Proposition 209?

Proposition 209 will abolish all public counseling and recruitment programs designed to help minority youth apply for college. Public programs directed at women and girls will face elimination, including programs such as the "Girls Science Network," which is designed to encourage girls to pursue math and science courses and careers. Other programs which Proposition 209 eliminates include women's centers on college campuses, outreach and mentoring programs for minority students, magnet schools designed to desegregate school districts, and efforts to recruit women in non-traditional jobs like policing and skilled trades. Return

What is Clause (c) and How Does it Impact Women and Girls?

Clause (c) of Proposition 209 actually amends the California constitution to permit discrimination against women and girls. Since 1971, California women have been protected from gender discrimination by the equivalent of an Equal Rights Amendment, making California's protections for women among the strongest in the nation. As a result, gender discrimination is only allowed in very narrow circumstances when a "compelling government interest" can be demonstrated. This standard is rarely met.

Proposition 209 would reduce this tough standard to a much lower "reasonably necessary" standard. Under this standard, women's jobs and paychecks are at risk. For example, an employer could argue that the costs associated with pregnancy and concerns over child care could justify not hiring or promoting women. This would result in women once again being excluded from non-traditional jobs like policing or medicine. The gains women have made over the past 30 years would be reversed. Return

What can we do to keep this from happening?

WE CAN DEFEAT 209!

The Campaign to Defeat 209 has mobilized to defeat this attempt to go back to a time when women and people of color were denied jobs and educational opportunities. Return

Who is Campaign to Defeat 209?

The Campaign is a broad coalition of organizations and individuals, reflecting the diversity of California and the nation. Our Co-Sponsors include the YWCA of the USA, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, California Teachers Association and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. Our Co-Sponsors share a commitment to creating a society where people are not denied opportunities because of their skin color or gender. We are working together to protect women's rights and civil rights. Return

What is the Campaign's Message and Strategy?

The Campaign will use the media and grass roots efforts to expose Proposition 209 for what is: an initiative which hurts, rather than protects, women's rights and civil rights. California voters have continually demonstrated that they will turn against initiatives that are intentionally written to deceive them.

The Campaign's message will also highlight the devastating consequences of Proposition 209 for all of California. When California voters understand that Proposition 209 will actually prohibit programs designed to expand equal opportunity and prevent race and gender discrimination, they will turn against it. When California voters discover that Proposition 209 will allow state and local government to discrimination against them, their daughters, their wives or partners, their sisters and their mothers, they will overwhelmingly vote to defeat it! Return

Who makes up the Campaign's Team?

Our professional Campaign is lead by a gifted team of political strategists and dedicated staff. Robert Shrum of Shrum, Devine and Donilon, Inc., is an award-winning media strategist who will be crafting the Campaign's media message. Diane Feldman, the Campaign pollster, is one of the most talented pollsters in the country. Patricia Ewing, the Campaign Manager, is a veteran of over 14 campaigns and is nationally recognized. Candy Fletcher, a nationally recognized Finance Director and Nichelle Lyons, a national finance consultant who has worked on over 10 campaigns. Return

How can I help?

The Campaign needs your support. If you would like to volunteer, send a donation or would like additional information about the Campaign, please contact our Los Angeles Headquarters or our San Francisco office. Donations can be sent to:
The Campaign to Defeat 209
8170 Beverly Blvd.,Suite 205
Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Committee ID # 961460.
Contributions to the Campaign are not tax deductible. Please include your occupation and employer for campaign finance purposes. Return

How do I reach Campaign to Defeat 209?

Donations sent to The Campaign to Defeat 209, Los Angeles Office are for Campaign Committee ID # 961460. Contributions to the Campaign are not tax deductible. Please include your occupation and employer for campaign finance purposes. Thank you!

News Updates from Campaign to Defeat 209

September 16, 1996

Taxpayers Demand Explanation -- Why is Pete Wilson Using Taxpayer Dollars to Promote Prop 209? -- Los Angeles, Campaign to Defeat 209

The Campaign to Defeat 209 today asked Governor Pete Wilson for an explanation of why he has been using taxpayer dollars to promote Propositon 209. The Campaign released copies of four press releases which had previously been issued by Governor Pete Wilson's state office. These press releases are in violation of state law prohibiting "any elected state officer, appointee, employee, or consultant to use of permit others to use state resources for a campign activity..." Cal. Gov. Code sec. 8314

Copies of these press releases were sent to Attorney General Lungren, Ward Connerly and Governor Pete Wilson, asking for an immediate stop to these ilegal actiivites and for an investigation into the matter. Return

September 12, 1996

Among Voters Who Know -- Prop 209 Loses

New Field Poll shows 'Pro 209' campaign in Free- Fall, losing more support with every survey -- Los Angeles, Campaign to Defeat 209

The latest Field Poll show Prop. 209 losing among voters who know about the intiative. The poll was conducted between August 29^th and September 7^th, of 416 registered voters.

Of the 52% of likely voters who have heard of Proposition 209:
18% are opposed to Proposition 209
15% support Proposition 209

This is the first time in the Field Poll that a NO vote on Proposition 209 is higher than support for the initiative.

In addition, among likely voters who are read the official title and summary language:
44% are in favor of Proposition 209
31% are opposed to Proposition 209
28% are undecided

Support for Proposition 209 has dropped below 50% which puts any 'Yes' Proposition Campaign in critical condition. Such weak support shows that the Yes on 209 campaign is a leaky boat, sinking fast. This is the first time since the Field Poll began polling that support for Proposition 209 has dropped below 50%.

Before the fall campaign heats up, and the television ads have started, the Yes on 209 Campaign is in trouble. This latest poll shows that Proposition 209 is on its way to being defeated. Return

Campaign to Defeat 209 Headquarters

Donations sent to The Campaign to Defeat 209, Los Angeles Office are for Campaign Committee ID # 961460. Contributions to the Campaign are not tax deductible. Please include your occupation and employer for campaign finance purposes. Thank you!

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Last updated on May 16, 2001