Opinion ID: 772395
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Bass' Equal Protection Claim

Text: 76 Next, we consider whether Bass' 1983 claim alleging an equal protection violation should be permitted to go to a jury. The Supreme Court has held that all racial classifications, imposed by whatever federal, state, or local government actor, must be analyzed by a reviewing court under strict scrutiny. Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200, 227, 115 S. Ct. 2097, 2113 (1995); see also City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469, 493-94, 109 S. Ct. 706, 721-22 (1989). Strict scrutiny review requires the racial classification to serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. See Adarand, 515 U.S. at 227, 115 S. Ct. at 2113. [A] free people whose institutions are founded upon the doctrine of equality should tolerate no retreat from the principle that government may treat people differently because of their race only for the most compelling reasons. Id. (citation and internal marks omitted). 77 For the same reasons that the County should be held liable under Title VII if a jury finds that the Division acted pursuant to the County's affirmative action plans, we hold that it must also be held liable under 1983, upon such a finding, for violating Bass' equal protection rights. As we have explained, Bass put forth sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that the Division acted pursuant to the County's affirmative action plans in failing to offer him a Training Instructor position. Because the County has put forth no evidence showing that its affirmative action plans satisfy strict scrutiny and has disavowed any reliance on those plans, it is fair to assume for purposes of this action that the plans do not satisfy the requirements of the Equal Protection Clause. Actions pursuant to an affirmative action plan which does not satisfy strict scrutiny constitute unlawful and unconstitutional discrimination. See, e.g., Adarand , 515 U.S. at 227, 115 S. Ct. at 2113. Therefore, the district court should instruct the jury to hold the County liable under 1983 if it finds that the Division acted pursuant to the County's affirmative action plans in failing to offer Bass a Training Instructor position.