Posted on 09/19/2003 11:11:37 AM PDT by Alia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CONTACT: Diane Schachterle (916) 444-2278 or ds@acri.org
FPPC FAILS TO MAKE ITS CASE FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION TO DISCLOSE CONTRIBUTORS
SACRAMENTO - The American Civil Rights Coalition (ACRC) is vindicated today as the FPPC is denied a preliminary injunction to force disclosure of contributors to ACRC. The judge’s order states: “Upon the record presented, the Court finds that the FPPC has not demonstrated a likelihood that it will ultimately prevail on the merits of the action. Further, the potential irreversible constitutional injury that could be occasioned to Defendants and their contributors by the compelled disclosure sought by the State if the operative statutes and regulations are later found to be constitutionally deficient, significantly outweighs the potential harm that may be suffered by the voting public in having to cast their votes on the subject measure based upon its merits without also knowing the identity of some of the people or entities that gave financial support to ACRC which in turn supported the subject measure.”
“As we have said all along, there is a serious constitutional issue involved in this case that affects not only our donors but the donors to every association similarly situated to ours,” stated Ward Connerly, Chairman of ACRC. “We are gratified that the court recognizes the gravity of the situation and will not be swayed by the FPPC’s weak and politically motivated argument. We have nothing to hide, the “Yes on Proposition 54” recipient committee has complied with all disclosure requirements, and ACRC complied with all existing precedent and practice.”
In its fervor to influence the election, the FPPC has engaged in selective enforcement with its heavy handed and unfair focus on contributors to the “Yes on Prop 54” campaign, but has not applied equal scrutiny and pressure for disclosure of contributors to the “No on Prop 54” campaign.
Other groups, associations and non-profits contributing to political campaigns should be on notice that they too will be compelled to disclose should the FPPC create a new rule with this case. Contributors to the “No on Prop 54” campaign such as the ACLU of Northern California and the ACLU of Southern California, The American Cancer Society, the California Nurses Association and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights should pay close attention to this case.
“Our donors have the constitutional right to free speech and association without fear of harassment,” Connerly concluded. “And, we will stand by them, particularly inasmuch as none of that contributed to ACRC had any influence over how or where their contribution would ultimately be used. I understand that the donors themselves have attempted to intervene in order to protect their rights, but the FPPC blocked that action. The FPPC’s absence of fair play is quite apparent. In the end, I believe the Constitution will prevail.”
The American Civil Rights Coalition works with grassroots supporters and leaders on the local, state and federal level to end racial and gender preferences and classifications. ACRC also engages in activities such as initiative campaigns and legislative tracking.
For more information visit our website at www.acrc1.org
AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION, P.O. Box 188350, Sacramento, CA 95818, (916) 444-2278, (916) 444-2279 fax, www.acrc1.org -end-
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/975549/posts
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/7248120p-8193220c.html
Prop. 54 funding is questioned -- Most comes from a nonprofit that doesn't identify donors. - By Jim Sanders -- Bee Capitol Bureau - Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Monday, August 18, 2003
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