From Prop 209 to Prop 16: Historical, Legal & Activist Perspectives on Affirmative Action

Californians have endured a statewide ban on race- and gender-based affirmative action policies since the passage of Proposition 209, which is widely recognized for its devastating impact on advancing racial justice in labor and education. The 2019 court case against Harvard University alleging that affirmative action policies discriminate against Asian-Americans amplifies the need for improved public understanding of affirmative action policies as legal remedies to recognize and dismantle racial harm. In November, Proposition 16 would restore affirmative action in CA. Join us for this panel discussing the legacies of Proposition 209 and the promise of Proposition 16.

Moderated by Professor Vinay Harpalani, the event features:

  • Dr. César A. Cruz, author of Revenge of the Illegal Alien, and participant in the 1995 student hunger strike against Proposition 209
  • Professor Cheryl I. Harris, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Professor in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, UCLA School of Law
  • Professor Jerry Kang, Distinguished Professor of Law and Asian American Studies, and Founding Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UCLA School of Law
  • Eva Paterson, President and Founder of Equal Justice Society, and Yes on 16 Campaign Chairperson
  • Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Yes on 16 Campaign Chairperson.

Co-sponsored by RepairCenter for Racial and Economic Justice at UC Hastings LawCritical Race Studies at UCLA School of Law; the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay AreaCalifornia Lawyers AssociationCharles Houston Bar AssociationChinese for Affirmative ActionCenter on Law, Equality and Race at UC-IrvineDolan Law FirmEqual Justice Society; Filipino Bar Association of Northern California; Mexican-American Legal Defense & Educational Fund, and UC Berkeley’s Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies program

ASL interpretation provided. Questions about disability access? Click here

Register here.

Date: 
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 12:00pm