Tip Sheet

UNC School of Law can discuss today's
amicus brief in Supreme Court race case

The UNC Center for Civil Rights, a component of the School of Law, recently wrote an amicus brief (or "friend of the court brief") that U.S. Supreme Court justices might consider today as part of two race relations cases being argued.

The cases, originating from Louisville, Ky., and Seattle, will determine whether school boards may, on their own volition, use race as a factor in student assignment policies to foster racial diversity in public schools. The court's decision could make it more difficult to maintain desegregated schools, observers at the School of Law say.

The principal authors of the brief are two attorneys working at the UNC Center for Civil Rights: Anita Earls and Ashley Osment. Both are available for comment to members of the media.

Anita S. Earls, director of advocacy: (919) 843-7896 or earls@email.unc.edu

S. Ashley Osment, senior attorney: (919) 843-9807 or osment@email.unc.edu

Their 28-page brief, which argues, among other things, that school districts have a compelling interest in promoting racial diversity in K-12 education, is available online at www.law.unc.edu/civilrights/. The Center for Civil Rights fosters empirical and analytical research focusing on education, housing and community development, economic justice and voting rights.

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School of Law contact: Matt Marvin (919) 962-4125 or mmarvin@email.unc.edu