FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1997 (202) 616-2777 TDD (202) 514-1888 MEDIA ADVISORY WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today filed a "friend of the court"--or amicus--brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals saying a lower court was right to temporarily ban state officials from implementing Proposition 209--the California Civil Rights Initiative. Prop. 209, passed in November, would generally prohibit affirmative action in public contracting, education, and employment throughout California. In December, the Justice Department concluded Prop. 209 was unconstitutional under existing Supreme Court precedent, and indicated it would enter the case at an appropriate time. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled Prop. 209 was likely unconstitutional and barred its implementation until a full hearing on the merits could occur. The Justice Department's amicus brief today opposes a request for a stay of that injunction. The Justice Department is not a party in the case. Copies of the 28-page brief can be obtained through the Justice Department's Office of Public Affairs, 10th Street & Constitution Avenue, Room 1228. # # # 97-040