With these words, Laura Penny, spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Education, gave the official response to the Nov. 7 passage of Proposition 203, which could end bilingual education in the state. It could also devastate programs to build proficiency in indigenous languages, some of which are facing extinction.

But for the 250 people attending a Nov. 14 demonstration before a meeting of the Tucson School Board the official response is not acceptable. The crowd, led by the Tucson Association for Bilingual Education, included teachers and students.

"This is racism," said teacher Ray Siqueiros, chair of the committee against Prop. 203. "It’s not just an academic issue; it’s a civil rights issue, a human rights issue."

Prop. 203 passed despite studies by the Arizona Department of Education that showed that students in bilingual programs learn English better and faster than those studying under immersion methods.

Together, with such ominous developments as vigilante ranchers hunting Mexican immigrants and the build-up of the military and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) presence on the border, Prop. 203 is a step toward a new system of Jim Crow, rally organizers said.

The targets in Arizona are Mexican and Central American immigrants and the cultural distinctions of the Chicano and indigenous communities.

The proposition includes a provision that allows waivers for some students who want to continue in bilingual classes. However, these are only available for students who are at least 10 years old and already speak English proficiently, or for students who do not speak English and have learning disabilities.

Local school boards can deny the waivers without explanation. This proposition limits students learning English to 175 days of special assistance.

The movement against bilingual education began with a similar initiative in California, funded there, as in Arizona, by millionaire entrepreneur Ron Unz (who is neither a parent nor an educator). He is looking to export the proposition to every state. Consideration is now being given to New York, Colorado and Texas as possible sites for the next campaign.

Nevertheless, the struggle against Prop. 203 is growing. Throughout the state, people are demanding waivers and a continuation of bilingual education. There are already discussions of possible court actions.

While acknowledging that court actions can help, Siqueiros stressed mass action.

"‘English Only’ wasn’t defeated by the legal system," Siqueiros said, referring to the unsuccessful attempt to pass an initiative to outlaw the use of any language but English in all levels of state government.

"It was defeated by popular pressure, by the power of people."