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President's Speeches & Writing Archive | Letter Re: March for Equal Education Opportunity

April 1 March to Support Equal Educational Opportunity

TO: The Trinity College Community

FROM: President Patricia McGuire

Nearly 50 years ago, the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring racially segregated schools inherently unequal, set in motion a profound social movement to transform American education at all levels to ensure equal educational opportunity for all regardless of race. Because the change in the law alone was inadequate to ensure changes in policies and practices in educational institutions and places of business, affirmative action mandates were adopted to ensure that every student would have a chance to attain the highest educational level possible. Affirmative action “leveled the playing field” for millions of students who suffered the effects of prior discrimination in education and social opportunity.

Now, the Supreme Court is considering two cases involving the University of Michigan’s affirmative action program. If the Court decides against the University of Michigan, the impact could be very serious in shutting the door on equal educational opportunity for students in public universities around the nation, and possibly on other school and employment opportunities as well.

Every major educational association in Washington has signed an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court urging the justices to uphold Michigan’s policy.

In addition, students and faculty around the nation are mobilizing to show their support for affirmative action in education.

On Tuesday, April 1, students from across the nation will rally in a march through the streets of Washington, DC to the U.S. Supreme Court demanding that the high court uphold affirmative action in the University of Michigan cases.

Following is information on this march:

Itinerary, Tuesday April 1, 2003

9AM-12PM: Rally at the Supreme Court during the University of Michigan affirmative action hearings. North Capitol & 1st Street NE

10-11AM: Supreme Court hearing in U-Michigan Law School case, Grutter v. Bollinger

11-12PM: Supreme Court hearing in U-Michigan undergraduate case, Gratz v. Bollinger


Patricia A. McGuire, President, Trinity, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017
Phone: 202.884.9050   Email: president@trinitydc.edu

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