Long Beach Council Backs Affirmative Action
The Long Beach City Council voted Tuesday to oppose Proposition 209, the ballot measure that would end state and local affirmative action programs.
The 6-2 vote came on a motion by City Councilman Delano Roosevelt, grandson of the 32nd president. Roosevelt and other council members said affirmative action programs are still necessary to ensure that qualified women and minorities have equal opportunities.
“We need to make sure everyone is invited to the party,” Roosevelt said.
A colleague, Councilwoman Jenny Oropeza, said, “Anyone who believes there is a level playing field is not living and working in the same world I am.”
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