Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co.
United States Supreme Court
392 U.S. 409 (1968)
Relevant factsFree
Jones (plaintiff) sued Alfred H. Mayer Co. (defendant), alleging it refused to sell him a house because he is African American, relying on 42 U.S.C. § 1982, which grants all citizens the right to purchase and hold real and personal property. The district court dismissed, holding § 1982 applies only to state action and not to private refusals to sell real estate, and the court of appeals affirmed.
IssueFree
Whether Congress may enforce the Thirteenth Amendment by passing laws that reach the actions of purely private actors.