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Press Release

LULAC Condemns Supreme Court’s Efforts to Undermine Brown.

Ruling will accelerate the resegregation of America ’s public schools.

June 29, 2007

Contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos 202-833-6130 ext.16
 

Washington, DC –The League of United Latin American Citizens condemned the 5-4 United States Supreme Court ruling Thursday invalidating two voluntary integration plans in Seattle and Louisville school districts because they used race in some students’ school assignments in an effort to end racial isolation and prevent resegregation.

“The five justices in the majority have turned their backs on the American dream of an integrated society,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “The decision erodes the protections provided by the historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision more than 50 years ago.”

The court majority declared that the school board plans in each district were unconstitutional, thus restricting how public school systems may achieve racial diversity. Although it will be more difficult and perhaps more expensive, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy suggested that schools districts may still use means such as selecting school sites, re-drawing attendance zones and establishing magnet schools to achieve racial integration.

“On behalf of our children, I find yesterday's court ruling discriminatory in nature,” said LULAC Vice President for the Northwest Maria Salazar. “The Supreme Court would like to believe that 53 years after Brown vs. Board of Education, students of color are receiving an equitable education in this country.”

LULAC is part of the Campaign for High School Equity, a coalition of the nation's major organizations representing communities of color. The coalition released a report June 19th which notes that 8th graders of color are farther behind reading at grade level than white students. Also alarming, Hispanics have the highest high school dropout rates.

LULAC is working with the organizations to ensure that America 's secondary schools have the capacity and motivation to prepare every student for graduation, college, work and life. LULAC joined the supporters filing briefs on behalf of the school districts.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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