Palmer v. Thompson

Palmer v. Thompson, 403 U.S. 217 (1971), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court.

After a federal desegregation order, the City of Jackson, Mississippi closed all public swimming pools rather than operate them on an integrated basis. Black citizens challenged the closures, arguing that the city’s action violated the Equal Protection Clause by denying Black residents access to public facilities because of their race.

Significance

Justice Black’s 5-4 opinion upheld the city’s decision to close the pools. The Court held that the city had not engaged in racial discrimination — it had simply decided to no longer operate public pools, a decision equally applicable to all residents. The closure was a ‘political and social choice’ that the Constitution did not forbid, even if the city’s motives were racially discriminatory. The decision was heavily criticized and limited by later cases holding that motive can be relevant in equal protection analysis.

Category

US Federal Case Law