The Nation - News from Feb. 5, 1989

Representatives of the nation’s black mayors approved a resolution condemning the Supreme Court’s ruling that minority set-aside programs are unconstitutional unless discrimination can be proven. The draft resolution drawn in Atlantic City, N.J., by the executive committee of the National Conference of Black Mayors said the decision implies that set-asides are “simple racial politics” and is an attack on minorities. The Supreme Court struck down last month a Richmond, Va., ordinance that set aside 30% of public construction projects for minority-owned businesses. The opinion by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said discrimination must be proven before such programs can be constitutional. The resolution notes that many jurisdictions have similar ordinances and urged that they be kept intact.