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A case in the long line of cases, beginning with N.L.R.B.
v. Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 U.S. 1 (1937), whereby the federal constitution’s commerce
clause was used to enforce social agendas. In this case, racial desegregation laws enacted under the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The owners of Heart of Atlanta Motel, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, restricted occupancy to
white persons only, and sued for declaratory relief to be able to continue its policy despite the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. The Court upheld those acts of Congress and in particular held that, “Congress’
action in removing the disruptive effect which it found racial discrimination has on interstate travel
is not invalidated because Congress was also legislating against what it considered to be moral wrongs.”
This case was decided along with Katzenbach v. McClung, 379 U.S.
294 (1964).
Full Text: Heart of Atlanta Motel
v. United States, 379 U.S. 241 (1964) |