For Immediate Release Contact:

Brett Farley

Cell: 918-504-4577

Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative Submits Petitions “Citizens want to vote to end race and gender preferences”

(Oklahoma City) – At 3pm today, the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative (OkCRI) turned in 22 boxes of petitions to the Secretary of State to amend the state constitution by ending the use of race and gender preferences in public employment, public education and public contracting.

“Oklahoma voters finally have the opportunity to end the use of race and gender in public employment, public education and public contracting. Our state should never judge anyone based on the color of their skin,” said OkCRI proponent, W. Devin Resides.

“For too long America has been plagued by a system of preferences and discrimination based on race and gender. The language of the ballot initiative mirrors the 1964 Civil Rights Act will be a major step toward a colorblind government. Oklahomans believe in the fundamental American idea that all people should be treated equally regardless of skin color,” said Resides.

The operative clause of the proposed constitutional amendment reads: The new section prohibits discriminating against or granting preferences to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting by the state or any of its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions.

During the upcoming weeks, the Secretary of State will conduct a count of the signatures. After the Secretary of State finishes the count, she will submit the results of her count to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will then certify the numerical sufficiency of the petitions.

The Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative (OkCRI) is dedicated to giving the people of Oklahoma the opportunity to end preferential treatment based on race, gender, ethnicity, or national origin by state or local governments. OkCRI will make Oklahoma a place of equal opportunity for all, not a state that uses discrimination as a tool to create “diversity.” Achieving “diversity” should never be an excuse to discriminate!

Labels: Affirmative Action, Decision '08, Drew Edmondson