Students organize day of action

Students urged to skip classes in support of affirmative action

A group of 40 students met yesterday to finalize plans for next Tuesday's National Day of Action, a day designated to defend affirmative action at the University in light of the two recent lawsuits challenging the University's race-based admissions practices.

The National Day of Action was designated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson as a day to defend affirmative action around the country. Events are scheduled to be held at universities across the country, including the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Texas. But organizers from United for Affirmative Action, a student group that has formed to coordinate the day, said the University will have the most extensive list of events.

Scheduled plans include a teach-in from 9-12 a.m. in the Michigan Union Ballroom, a gathering in the Fishbowl for student testimonials about affirmative action, a rally and march on the Diag from 12-1 p.m., a sit-in in the Fishbowl from 1-4 p.m. and another teach-in from 5:30-8 p.m. in Angell Hall.

"This is the first student strike since (the Black Action Movement III)," said Jodi Masley, co-chair of the Women Law Student Association and a member of United for Affirmative Action. "I think it's going to be exciting. The Center for Individual Rights had no idea what they were getting into when they chose the U of M as their target."

CIR filed two lawsuits - one against the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and another against the Law School - last fall on behalf of three white clients who claim they were discriminated against during the University's admissions process.

Organizers are asking students not to attend class on the day. Several professors have already cancelled their classes.

"This is a chance for us to really mobilize," said LSA junior Diego Bernal. "This is a chance for us to have a shot, as students, to influence the (affirmative action lawsuit) decision."

The group, which recently formed to create United for Affirmative Action and plan for the Day of Action, is comprised of both students from other student groups and individual students.

Masley said the planners have worked hard to organize the event.

"It is, in many ways, CIR's biggest mistake and our greatest opportunity," said Masley, a Law first-year student.

The group discussed plans for organizing the day, including the role that the administration should play, who will speak and how to publicize and fund the event.

"We plan to raise awareness about why we need affirmative action - about the cultural inequities that exist in society for minorities especially," said Joe Reilly, co-chair of the Native American Student Association and an SNRE sophomore.

Various undergraduate and Law professors, as well as students, are scheduled to speak throughout the day.

More than 13 student groups have already announced support for the National Day of Action, including Alianza, the Black Student Union, the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary, the Native American Student Association, Academics for Affirmative Action and Social Justice, Law Students for Affirmative Action, the Progressive Student Alliance, the Undergraduate Women's Studies Association and the Free-Mumia Coalition.

02-18-98