By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Demonstrators protest on both sides of the affirmative action issue; cc-nc-nd

June 29,2023 (Washington D.C.)—Public colleges nationwide, as well as private colleges that accept federal funds, can no longer consider race  in the admissions process, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.

In a 6-3 decision split down ideological lines, the conservative majority found affirmative action to be an unconstitutional violation of the 14^th Amendment, which assures equal protection for all Americans.

The court broke with its own precedent set 45 years ago, when justices found that a limited exception to the 14^th Amendment was acceptable for school admissions to counter the impacts of racial discrimination.

Locally and nationally, the ruling prompted strong reactions.