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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.
Ollie’s Barbecue was a family-owned restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama. The restaurant owners had
refused to serve Negroes in its dining accommodations since its original opening in 1927, and since July
2, 1964, had been operating in violation of the Act. The owners 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.
This case was decided along with Heart of
Atlanta Motel v. United States, 379 U.S. 241 (1964).
Full Text: Katzenbach v. McClung,
379 U.S. 294 (1964) |