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Plessy v. Ferguson
Citation:
163 U.S. 537, 16 S.Ct. 1138, 41 L.Ed.256 (1896).InstructorMatthew Steinberg
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Plessy v. Ferguson
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Facts
An 1890 Louisiana law required that railway passenger cars have “equal but separate accommodations” for blacks and whites. Plessy, who was 7/8 white and 1/8 black, was arrested for refusing to vacate a seat in a “whites only” car of a Louisiana train. Plessy argued that the Separate Car Act violated the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Topic Resources
Topic Outline
Equal ProtectionTopic Refresher Course
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment