(LOS ANGELES) - The New Frontier Young Democrats will host a "No on Proposition 54" forum on October 1, 2003.

The "No on Proposition 54" forum sponsored by the NFYD will be held at the Seeley G. Mudd Building on the campus of USC at 7 p.m. Sheriff Lee Baca, Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke, Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Marguerite LaMotte and civil rights attorney Connie Rice are among the panelists who will discuss this divisive issue on the October 7, 2003 ballot.

If passed, the initiative formally known as "Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color or National Origin" would prohibit state and local governments "…from using race, ethnicity, color or national origin to classify current or prospective students, contractors, or employees in public education, contract or employment operations."

This initiative would affect various levels of government, public health and the educational system by restricting the collection of important race and ethnicity data, which could lead to the erosion of basic civil rights protections. Health care, civic and religious organizations along with many federal, state and local elected officials have voiced their opposition to Prop 54. NFYD is encouraging members of the community to use the forum as a resource to educate themselves about this deceptive ballot measure. "This forum will give the community an opportunity to learn about the dangers of this ill conceived initiative", said NFYD President Brent Tilley.

Founded with the support of the New Frontier Democratic Club in January 2002, NFYD has from the start, provided its members and the community with opportunities to participate in the party on the local, state and federal levels. The New Frontier Young Democrats has and continues to seek "to join together young African-Americans who have a strong interest in the governmental affairs and the political process in order to support individuals, institutions, and initiatives that promote the ideals of the Democratic Party."