Civil Rights Leaders: Supreme Court Michigan Ruling a Step Backward

Leaders react to ruling on Michigan affirmative action ban.

Objection! - The U.S. Supreme Court on April 22 upheld Michigan's ban on affirmative action in higher education by a vote of 6-2. It ruled that a 2006 ballot initiative, titled Proposal 2, which led to a state constitutional ban on race-conscious college admissions policies is in fact constitutional. "This refusal to accept the stark reality that race matters is regrettable. As members of the judiciary tasked with intervening to carry out the guarantee of equal protection, we ought not sit back and wish away, rather than confront, the racial inequality that exists in our society," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissent. Here's what some lawmakers and civil rights leaders had to say. —  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)  (Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Objection! - The U.S. Supreme Court on April 22 upheld Michigan's ban on affirmative action in higher education by a vote of 6-2. It ruled that a 2006 ballot initiative, titled Proposal 2, which led to a state constitutional ban on race-conscious college admissions policies is in fact constitutional. "This refusal to accept the stark reality that race matters is regrettable. As members of the judiciary tasked with intervening to carry out the guarantee of equal protection, we ought not sit back and wish away, rather than confront, the racial inequality that exists in our society," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her dissent. Here's what some lawmakers and civil rights leaders had to say. —  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)  (Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus - "Since Proposal 2 took effect, African-American enrollment at the University of Michigan’s undergraduate and law schools has declined by 30 percent, and students of color have decried the tense racial climate on campus. Today’s ruling sets a dangerous precedent and will unlikely help either of these issues move in a more positive direction."   (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus - "Since Proposal 2 took effect, African-American enrollment at the University of Michigan’s undergraduate and law schools has declined by 30 percent, and students of color have decried the tense racial climate on campus. Today’s ruling sets a dangerous precedent and will unlikely help either of these issues move in a more positive direction."   (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Lorraine C. Miller, NAACP Interim President and CEO - "The Supreme Court’s decision embraces discrimination and rejects diversity. It’s in our nation’s best interest to ensure talented students from all backgrounds get a close look and a fair shot at overcoming obstacles to educational opportunity. The NAACP is committed to fighting Michigan’s constitutional amendment at the ballot box and helping other states advance diversity in higher education." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Lorraine C. Miller, NAACP Interim President and CEO - "The Supreme Court’s decision embraces discrimination and rejects diversity. It’s in our nation’s best interest to ensure talented students from all backgrounds get a close look and a fair shot at overcoming obstacles to educational opportunity. The NAACP is committed to fighting Michigan’s constitutional amendment at the ballot box and helping other states advance diversity in higher education." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Hilary Shelton, NAACP Washington Bureau Director/Sr. VP of Policy and Advocacy - "The NAACP is outraged with the Supreme Court’s decision. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education, we are reminded that there remain challenges to securing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court has impeded our country’s efforts to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in higher education and puts the access of future generations to high quality and well-rounded education in serious jeopardy." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Hilary Shelton, NAACP Washington Bureau Director/Sr. VP of Policy and Advocacy - "The NAACP is outraged with the Supreme Court’s decision. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education, we are reminded that there remain challenges to securing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court has impeded our country’s efforts to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in higher education and puts the access of future generations to high quality and well-rounded education in serious jeopardy." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) - "Today’s decision is yet another barrier to leveling the playing field for minorities, building on recent Supreme Court decisions that blindly ignore the biases that still exist in our society. This decision will result in the continued and increased underrepresentation of minorities in higher education. Etched in our history is now a dangerous precedent; the impact will be felt for generations to come." (Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call)

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Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) - "Today’s decision is yet another barrier to leveling the playing field for minorities, building on recent Supreme Court decisions that blindly ignore the biases that still exist in our society. This decision will result in the continued and increased underrepresentation of minorities in higher education. Etched in our history is now a dangerous precedent; the impact will be felt for generations to come." (Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call)

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Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) - "It kind of brings into question whether body cameras will make any difference. The whole incident was on camera but if prosecutors mishandled the presentation of the charges to the grand jury, you come up with no indictment. Given what's happened in Ferguson and the tenor of where I see a lot of people in this country, I'm not surprised [by the decision]." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) - "I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision.  Today’s ruling will undo many gains of the last 50 years and will directly undermine the long accepted standard that colleges and universities have a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that come from a diverse student population." (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Jon Greenbaum, Chief Counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - "Today’s Supreme Court decision is a step backward for racial inclusion by allowing voters to overrule the decision of Michigan University officials to consider race in admissions to achieve diversity. The Court has disregarded long-standing precedent which prevents the majority from passing legislation that reconfigures the political process in ways that burden only a racial minority.”  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Jon Greenbaum, Chief Counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - "Today’s Supreme Court decision is a step backward for racial inclusion by allowing voters to overrule the decision of Michigan University officials to consider race in admissions to achieve diversity. The Court has disregarded long-standing precedent which prevents the majority from passing legislation that reconfigures the political process in ways that burden only a racial minority.”  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - "The court’s decision takes our nation’s commitment to equal treatment under the law a step backward. Today’s decision reiterated the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities across the nation. But it also sanctioned two tiers of access in our nation’s colleges and universities: one for the children of donors, alumni, and other interest groups, and another for racial and ethnic minorities. Donors and alumni can still lobby universities to include their children, but people who support racial and ethnic diversity in schools no longer have that opportunity."   (Photo: Riccardo S. Savi/Getty Images for U.S. Postal Service)

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Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - "The court’s decision takes our nation’s commitment to equal treatment under the law a step backward. Today’s decision reiterated the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities across the nation. But it also sanctioned two tiers of access in our nation’s colleges and universities: one for the children of donors, alumni, and other interest groups, and another for racial and ethnic minorities. Donors and alumni can still lobby universities to include their children, but people who support racial and ethnic diversity in schools no longer have that opportunity."   (Photo: Riccardo S. Savi/Getty Images for U.S. Postal Service)