Reverse Discrimination Suit

" The -- part about civil rights discrimination lawsuits but what about reverse discrimination suits well on April 20 sec that you will."

" When the Supreme Court hears the case of twenty New Haven firefighters and our own Ainsley Earhardt is here with a special investigation into this monumental case Ainsley."

" Thanks John as you mentioned the landmark case is set to be heard in front of the Supreme Court this April 20 firefighters from New Haven, Connecticut are suing the city -- reverse discrimination. The firefighters say that their civil rights were violated under the constitution's equal protection clause when they were denied promotions that they have turned. Because they are whites not minorities the city feared a lawsuit for minority firefighters if it didn't have a over a diverse range of commanders now the spotlight is on the Obama administration who will have to take a stance. On whether or not he is for or against the court's ruling which basically determines whether racial quotas and civil service to -- our legal or not. I visited with four of these firemen take a look."

" We feel that we're fighting for our rights are civil rights. To be treated equally like our counterparts."

" Their story starts in 2003. When the city of New Haven administered promotional exams for the positions of lieutenant and captain. The exams consist -- written."

" Portion which is given and one day once they do that then you can complete that you move -- oral. Assessment which is scenario based so you're asked a series of questions by subject matter experts. Once that's done they make a composite score up at that time get your ranking."

" And after all their hard work all when he scored in the highest brackets but this city decided to scrap the exam because not enough minorities has scored high enough. They feared a civil rights lawsuit for not filling racial quota."

" Everybody had the same amount of time -- everybody had the same books and at all world down to. Not so much wanted it more -- who was going to put in the time and had the ability. To pass into on the example."

" To know that I wasn't getting get promoted. Even though -- ranked in the number one position after all that preparation. Was just gut wrenching."

" The New Haven twenty banded together and filed a lawsuit claiming they were all that condemns a reverse discrimination. That lawsuit turned into a five year long process of appeals and it's gone now all."

" Way to the Supreme Court and it's something that -- what you what you believe it. Because you believe if you work hard you rewarded for that that's not necessarily the case how do you explain that your -- I unfortunately they're young enough for has had to do that but I thought about often Howland and explain to them."

" Earlier this year the Obama Justice Department under Eric Holder filed a brief that conservatives claim would help usher in a new era of quote politically correct discrimination. And it the Justice Department decides that the city of New Haven saying they did have a right to discount the tested they thought they could be sued by a minority firefighters. For not having a diverse enough fire force but they also said the matter should be considered in greater detail by the district court to determine if the tossing a test. It was quote pretax for intentional racial discrimination. Many viewed this as a wait for the Obama administration to -- both sides without having to make a decision either way."

" I think people see our effort. To. Have the same equal rights and civil rights for everyone. As somehow a threat. But I think in reality there are some people who prefer. That the civil rights laws. Not be a standard. Applicable to all citizens but but a system a special preferences."

" But these firefighters will get their day in court. The Supreme Court on April 22 when all eyes will be on the verdict."

" We hope. All Americans. Are are giving equal rights. As a result of all the."

" Spreading please let us have a wanted to ask -- question about this because they talked about the written the part of the test in the oral part of this was your all parts objective and subjective was that the same for everybody."

" It was the same for everyone everyone took the exact same task it was very very difficult apparently some of these guys said that they studied sixteen hours today took time away from their families. Almost got your firm most of them at least have small children home they said their wives were handling the kids while they were studying that wanted to get -- what does one guy in the piece that same book same set study time. You know and for five years now they've had to fight for this looks a little more detail about what -- the Obama administration is doing here and -- they want to -- both -- problem not taking a -- they sided with the city in that briefing -- briefing at the Justice Department briefing but they're not really taking a stance because it's such a touchy subject but this is Obama's chance he talked about session and the election. This is a stance to come forward and say maybe -- there is a place for quotas but in the fire department you know -- when you're fighting fire and you -- when -- house is on fire you want the best and the brightest coming -- I think there that's a good point India and discrimination with institutionalizing. It -- more of -- here."

" But what do when they made the case will only the threat of a lawsuit would justify."

" The city's denial of the promotion that doesn't make sense that doesn't make sense so anyone that threatens a lawsuit are well -- promotions and -- exactly if we have a fear of lawsuits I mean and what's what's so ironic as the city was so fearful of getting lawsuits from minorities. But it's the other side that they're getting a lawsuits either way they're going to get a lawsuit to want to do what's right equal protection used in bush V gore but some will argue attorneys that it's difficult to prove but this seems to be one case where might. Might work for them right -- we're talking Bennett seemed pretty cut and dry I mean it's just in this situation at least understand that there are quotas that are necessary -- as a must for any of the questions in any way deemed racial does that as happened in past cases no absolutely not we did ask that question and they said that it was racially neutral which net. It was that the entire black and white it was no pun intended to -- about firefighting Garrett Ainsley great report thanks for -- thank you for."