Coalition Press Release

UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law: Coalition for Diversity
La Raza Student Association * La Raza Law Journal * Law Students of African Descent *
Native American Law Student Association * Asian Pacific American Law Student Association * NLG * Boalt Disability Law Society * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus * Environmental Law Society

Press Conference
December 5, 2001
9:15 a.m., UC Berkeley Admissions Office, Sproul Hall

SUPREME COURT EYES NATIONAL RULING
ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Berkeley Law Students Fly to Cincinnati to Participate in Landmark Appeals Court Action

Berkeley, CA - Dozens of students rally outside of UC Berkeley's admissions office to support a team of 11 classmates traveling to Cincinnati today to witness the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmative action case that will likely be heard by the Supreme Court. Grutter v. Bollinger was initially brought by white University of Michigan law students who claimed that the race-based admissions program at Michigan was unconstitutional. The lower court ruled that diversity was not a compelling governmental interest to justify a race-based admissions policy and struck down the program. Now on appeal, the case will be heard by the full 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on Thursday, December 6, 2001.

"We are traveling because the outcome of this appeal will likely determine the future of affirmative action in this country," explains Alegría De La Cruz, Co-Chair for the Berkeley La Raza Law Student Association. "As Californians without affirmative action, we are going to work, on a national level, to ensure that our public schools serve the public of the United States."

This case will increase the pressure on the United States Supreme Court to resolve the conflict between different courts regarding affirmative action in higher education.

"Ending affirmative action is primarily about re-segregation," states Cincinnati traveler and Berkeley La Raza Law Journal Editor-in-Chief Marisa Arrona. "Given the racism and xenophobia that have resulted since September 11, diversity and racial integration are especially compelling values in our educational system."

Following California's Prop 209, there are only 8 African-American and 16 Latina/o students in Boalt's class of 2003. In the class of 1971, there were 32 African-American and 36 Latina/o law students at Berkeley's law school. "Three decades later, we're erasing the gains that have been made, although in the same time period, California has become the most diverse state in the nation," states Gabriela Gallegos, a Coalition for Diversity Leader.

Boalt students will participate in a march and rally leading to the courthouse in Cincinnati. They will also meet with other law students to strategize on a national level on how to defend the place of students of color in higher education. Last year Boalt students traveled to Michigan for opening arguments when Grutter was heard at the trial court.