Federal Court Hearing Challenge To UC Affirmative Action Ban

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court is set to hear another legal challenge to California's 15-year-old ban on affirmative action.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal is scheduled Monday to hear arguments in a lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 209. That law barred racial, ethnic or gender preferences in public education, employment and contracting.

The lawsuit was filed in 2010 by minority students and advocacy groups seeking to allow the consideration of race in admission decisions at the University of California. The court rejected a similar challenge in 1997.

The plaintiffs say the ban has led to a steep drop in black, Latino and Native American students at UC's most prestigious campuses. Advocates say their campaign has been bolstered by recent court decisions and support from Gov. Jerry Brown.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.