SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Assembly on Wednesday decided to let voters choose whether to overturn the state's 24-year-old ban of affirmative action programs — capping an emotional hours-long debate in the Legislature that highlighted tension between the state's Asian and black communities.The proposed amendment to the state's Constitution, which still must pass the Senate and be approved by voters, would repeal a 1996 amendment that banned “preferential treatment” based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
The push has gotten a boost recently from the worldwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.But the repeal effort faces strong, organized opposition.