Opinion ID: 589220
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Racial Discrimination Conspiracy Claim

Text: 16 McKinney, an African-American, also contends that the defendants conspired to deprive him of his educational privileges because of his race in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). 17 A cause of action under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) arises when two or more persons conspire to deprive another of equal protection of the laws or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws. See Aldabe v. Aldabe, 616 F.2d 1089, 1092 (9th Cir.1980). 18 Here, the defendants offered probative evidence that their actions were not motived by racial animus toward McKinney. In response, McKinney was able to offer only unsubstantiated allegation of the a racial conspiracy by the defendants; and thus McKinney failed to meet his burden of proof necessary to withstand summary judgment. See Coverdall v. Department of Social & Health Servs., 834 F.2d 758, 769 (9th Cir.1987) (summary judgment is proper if plaintiff presents no probative evidence which supports his position as to the defendant's motive or intent). Accordingly, the district court did not err by granting summary judgement in favor of the defendants on this issue. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23; Tzung, 873 F.2d at 1339-40.