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Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States. 1964. Background. Civil Rights Act – 1964 Among many other things: Outlawed racial discrimination in places of public accommodation Took regulatory power away from states. Background. Heart of Atlanta Motel didn’t rent rooms to black patrons

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Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

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  1. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States 1964

  2. Background • Civil Rights Act – 1964 • Among many other things: • Outlawed racial discrimination in places of public accommodation • Took regulatory power away from states

  3. Background • Heart of Atlanta Motel didn’t rent rooms to black patrons • Owner Myron Rolleston didn’t believe law should apply to his business

  4. Rolleston’s argument • Hotel intentionally didn’t operate across state lines in any way • Didn’t accept phone or mail reservations • Didn’t use vendors from out-of-state

  5. Rolleston’s argument • This case doesn’t apply to interstate commerce • Georgia solely should have right to regulate business

  6. Law in Question #1 • Amendment 5 • “…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation...” • His interpretation: taking use of property is equal to taking the property itself

  7. Law in Question #2 • Amendment 13 • “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude …shall exist within the United States…” • Argues he’s forced into involuntary servitude by having to serve customers he doesn’t want

  8. Argument of Solicitor General • Hotel located center of ATL, near interstate hwys 75, 85, 20, & 285 • 75% of customers came from out of state • This discrimination impedes interstate travel (a form of interstate commerce)

  9. Law in Question #3 • US Constitution—A1 §8 ¶3, 18 • To regulate commerce…among the several states… • To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers

  10. Decision Supreme Court ruled unanimously: • Commerce Clause allows Congress to regulate some types of local businesses • Law carefully limited to businesses that are directly related to “interstate flow of goods and people”

  11. Long-term impact • Dramatically increased scope of commerce clause to include more categories of business • Dealt blow to racially discriminatory practices across US • Shifted balance of power between national and state governments

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