A bottle -- and rock-throwing melee at a California college last month returned the spotlight to the state's initiative to end affirmative action.

The confrontation was between supporters and opponents of the "California Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI)," or Proposition 209, a ballot measure which will be decided by California voters on November 5. It occurred outside the building at California State University-Northridge housing a debate between former Klan member David Duke -- arguing for the initiative -- and civil rights activist Joe Hicks -- arguing against.

The point of Proposition 209 is to wipe out all affirmative action programs for women and minorities in state government -- including state colleges and universities. Leading in the polls by about 17 points, it is expected to pass easily in the Nov. 5 election, a result that could affect affirmative action throughout the nation.

Adding to the controversy of the campaign is the outspoken, tough-guy chair of the CCRI campaign, Ward Connerly, a well-to-do African-American businessman and University of California regent, who is a close friend and financial backer of Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. Connerly, who led the successful fight to abolish affirmative action from the University of California system last year, argues that race- and gender-based affirmative action discriminates against white males and is inherently divisive and unconstitutional.

Opponents of the measure say that racism and sexism is still pervasive and that dismantling specific mechanisms for eliminating discrimination will turn back the clock on gains made by women and minorities over the past three decades.

The proposition reads in part: "The state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operating of public employment, public education or public contracting." if passed. it would