Legal Document

373 U.S. 526 83 Supreme Court Reporter 1314 10 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 529 I. Atlantic WATSON, Jr., et al., Petitioners,v.CITY OF MEMPHIS, TENN., al. Number 424. Argued April 17 and 18, 1963. Decided May 27, [Syllabus from pages 526-527 intentionally omitted] Constance baron Motley, New York City, for petitioners. Thomas R. Prewitt, Memphis, Tenn., respondents. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The issue in this case, simply stated, is whether City Memphis may further delay meeting fully its constitutional obligation under Fourteenth Amendment to desegregate public parks other municipal recreational facilities. 2 petitioners, adult Negro residents commenced action against city 1960 District Western Tennessee, seeking declaratory injunctive relief directing immediate desegregation owned or operated facilities which Negroes were then still excluded. denied neither fact that majority relevant on a segregated basis nor duty terminate policy conditioning use such race. Instead, it pointed partial already effected attempted justify conforming at once mandates by urging need wisdom proceeding slowly gradually efforts. 3 sought petitioners ordered submit, within six months, plan providing additional time facilities.1 Appeals Sixth Circuit affirmed. 303 Federal Reporter, 2nd 863. We granted certiorari, 371 909, 256, 9 169, consider important question presented applicability here principles enunciated second Brown decision, versus Board Education, 349 294, 75 753, 99 L.Ed. 1083, upon courts below relied delaying complete vindication petitioners' rights. 4 find decision be inapplicable accordingly reverse judgment below. 5 It outset note chronological context makes claim entitlement work out elimination racial barriers involved. now more than nine years since held first 347 483, 74 686, 98 873, segregation state schools violates Equal Protection Clause Amendment. And was almost eight ago—in 1955, year after merits Brown—that proscription enforced found apply See Dawson Mayor Council Baltimore, Cir., 220 386, aff'd, 350 877, 76 133, 100 774; see also Muir Louisville Park Theatrical Assn., 971, 783, 1112. 6 Thus, factors reasoning framing 1955 decree supra, contemplated possible some limited effecting total schools, must considered not only factual similarities, if any, between case one, but light significant governing no longer bear imprint newly doctrine. In considering appropriateness equitable entered inviting calling an even desegregation, we cannot ignore passage substantial period original declaration manifest unconstitutionality practices as are challenged, repeated numerous decisions giving notice illegality,2 many intervening opportunities heretofore available attain equality treatment commands achieve. These inevitably substantially temper present import broad considerations have underlain, part, form ultimately framed case. Given extended has elapsed, far clear mandate requiring proceed with 'all deliberate speed' would today satisfied types plans programs educational ago might been deemed sufficient. never concept 'deliberate countenance indefinite let alone involving same physical problems comparable conditions. II. 7 When, 1954, declared impermissibility did immediately frame decree, instead invited heard argument relief. subsequent opinion, noted '(f)ull implementation these (applicable) require solution varied local school problems' indicated appropriate scope application consistent both private 'exercise (the) * traditional attributes equity power.' U.S., 299—300, S.Ct., 756, 1083. Courts cases there consideration remanded invested discretion ultimate fashioning detailed consonant properly cognizable This mean, however, unfettered exercisable without restraint. Basic remand speed,' something less severely delimited. Hostility precepts underlying expressly firmly pretermitted operative factor. Id., 300, 8 nature resolution largely reflected recognition unusual particular inhering desegregating large numbers throughout country. careful specification determination any complying completely warranted demonstrated concern conditioned insufficient reasons or, event, tolerated unless imperatively compellingly appeared unavoidable. presents obvious occasion Brown. confronted system all perhaps uniquely attendant problems, administrative other, specified proper weighing vindicating rights petitioners.3 Desegregation does kinds difficulties classification attendance compulsory, adequacy teachers crucial, questions geographic assignment often major significance.4 Most importantly, course, recognized countenanced necessary, albeit significant, adaptation usual principle deprivation calls prompt rectification. asserted are, like rights, rights; they merely hopes future enjoyment formalistic promise. basic guarantees our Constitution warrants and, overwhelmingly compelling reason, promptly fulfilled.5 narrowly drawn, carefully limited, qualification adjudication unnecessarily expanded application. 11 Solely because their race, refused open equal terms white persons. effected, continues effect, claims right prolong patently unconstitutional discriminations violative long-declared well-established individual affording clearly unquestionably entitled upheld except most convincing impressive demonstration manifestly compelled constitutionally circumstances warranting exercise court. short, sustain extremely heavy burden proof. 12 Examination facts foregoing discussion discloses singular clarity sustained; indeed, patent record absolutely here. III. 13 findings disclose unmistakable pervasive pattern segregation, which, fact, attempt deny, attempts necessary being. owns 131 parks, Commisson. Of these, 25 trial regard race;6 58 restricted whites Negroes; remaining 23 undeveloped raw land. Subject exceptions, neighborhood generally according character area located. Commission operates number facilities, largest share racially segregated. Though zoo, art gallery certain boating desegregated, about two-thirds (40) 61 city-owned playgrounds reserved only, remainder set aside use. Thirty 56 property churches, groups, School exclusive whites, while 26 Negroes. All community centers segregated, being four Only two seven golf courses play five whites. While several properties desegregated filing suit, general persists.7 14 court below, states here, good faith attempting comply requirements issue, contends gradual facility-by-facility prevent interracial disturbances, violence, riots, confusion turmoil. answer contention hostility assertion exercise. Wright Georgia, 284, 1240; Cf. Taylor Louisiana, 370 154, 82 1188, 395. As Cooper Aaron, 358 1, 16, 78 1401, 1409, 5, 'law order preserved depriving children rights.' really much earlier Buchanan Warley, 245 60, 38 62 149, dealing somewhat different state-ordained segregation—enforced separation neighborhood. A unanimous Court, striking down officially imposed question, half century ago: 15 'It urged proposed will promote peace preventing race conflicts. Desirable is, preservation peace, aim accomplished laws ordinances deny created protected federal Constitution.' 81, 20, 149. 16 Beyond this, fears violence tumult inability preserve anything personal speculations vague disquietudes officials. There indication had meaningful disturbances when desegregated. evidence prior transitions peaceful.8 Chairman 'been singularly blessed absence turmoil up question'; notwithstanding witness could point unrest assertedly occur anonymous letters phone he received. Chief Police mentioned description 'troubles' bus service referred threatened connection 'sit-in' store, but, beyond making predictions, gave concrete authorities maintain peace. park facility occurred product desegregation. Moreover, support bare testimonial unable cope successfully arise meet protection should demand. existing commendable goodwill races witnesses made express emphatic reference inexplicable fashion supporting delay, can best observance protection, denial, asserted. guarantee civil adherence to, respect for, law. 18 justifications substantial, either legally practically. was, example, deprive children—both white—of facilities; apparently based premise closed inadequacy 'present' budget provide 'supervision' assumed operate unsegregated playgrounds. noted, warrant assuming added supervision would, required, police recreation personnel unavailable needs arise.9 More significantly, conceded dependent theory expensive afford them. assume citizens accept questionable implicit resources inadequate, government unresponsive, citizens. 19 judgment, roughly proportional therefore presumably adequate needs.10 said that, true, reflects impermissible obeisance thoroughly discredited doctrine 'separate equal.' sufficiency beside point; unconstitutional. 20 Finally, deferred ruling propriety ordering one facility, museum, pending initiation of, in, construe restrictive covenant contained deed city. outcome suit irrelevant enforce regardless effect title. Commonwealth Pennsylvania Trusts, 353 230, 77 806, 792. reason believe provision invoked. museum opened day week complaint.11 21 Since failed demonstrate implementing publicly cause whatsoever depart controlling vindicated. continued denial solely warrant. Under Court's undoubted timing called into play; rather, affirmative judicial required vindicate plain Today, 50 ago, growing relations 'cannot promoted privileges,' 80—81, 22 reversed proceedings herewith. Reversed. formulated, though part described oral before Appeals. until 1971. See, e.g., 774 (beaches bathhouses); Orleans Improvement Assn. Detiege, 252 122, 54, 79 99, 46 (golf facilities); St. Petersburg Alsup, 238 830 (beach swimming pools); Tate Department Conservation Development, D.C., 133 F.Supp. 53, aff'd 231 615, cert. denied, 352 838, 58, (parks); Moorhead Fort Lauderdale, 152 131, 248 544 course); Fayson Beard, 134 379 Holley Portsmouth, 150 Ward Miami, 151 593 Willie Harris County, 202 549 (park). noteworthy none possibility considered. 'problems related administration, arising condition plant, transportation system, personnel, revision districts areas compact units achieve determining admission nonracial basis, regulations solving problems.' 300—301, Recognition colleges universities presented. Florida ex rel. Hawkins Control, 413, 464, 486, where, remanding authority Brown, '(a)s involves graduate professional school, delay. He rules applicable qualified candidates.' 414, 486. Lucy Adams, 33, 3. Similarly, suggested eliminating operation transportation, Boynton Virginia, 364 454, 81 182, 206; Henderson States, 339 816, 70 843, 94 1302; Morgan 328 373, 66 1050, 90 1317; Browder Gayle, 142 707, 903, 145, 114; voting, Schnell Davis, 336 933, 69 749, 93 1093; Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 987; zoning property, Richmond Deans, 281 704, 407, 1128; 149; employment union representation, Brotherhood Railroad Trainmen Howard, 343 768, 72 1022, 96 1283. well established discarded equal' McLaurin Oklahoma State Regents Higher 637, 642, 851, 854, 1149; Sweatt Painter, 629, 635, 848, 850—851, 1114; Sipuel University Oklahoma, 332 631, 632—633, 68 299, 92 247. 465, notes 4, supra. figures, others text, represent extent progress, trial, toward outlawing question. So appears, new time. entirely precisely how actually changed 'white-only' 'Negro-only' line changes composition. Nor, contrary appear disruption kind ensued trial. Except mention extra policemen assigned showing provided previously. Approximately 37% Memphis' 500,000 apparent assumption court, quantitatively exclusion evidenced qualitative difference. testimony excluded convenient places residence supported Fairgrounds result loss revenues therefrom unfair contract concessionaires. appears mooted restrictions seemingly difficulty.

Classification Label: 1