Moose Lodge No. 107 v. Irvis (1972)

[lazychick17]

K. Leroy Irvis, a black man who was a guest of a white member of the Moose Lodge No. 107, was refused service at the club's dining room because of his race. The bylaws of the Lodge limited membership to white male Caucasians. Irvis challenged the club's refusal to serve him, arguing that the action of the Pennsylvania liquor board issuing the Lodge a license made the club's discrimination "state action."


1.Should a private organization be held accountable to the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment?

2.Is the granting of a liquor license an action taken by the state?

3.Should a private organization be held to the same standards that a state should be held to if it seeks out a privilege (a liquor license, a business license, or a building permit for example) that is granted by the state?

4.When the Supreme Court makes a decision, it sets a precedent (an example for the lower courts to follow in similar situations). What consequences might occur for a decision for either side?

[Lil O'lady]

I think you will find US state laws are very different to UK law. It is also very late in the term to be seeking help with this assignment.

[queeam]

race should not be a bylaw rather any law in any private or public organisation should be in agreement with the 14th amendment. e.g. sex with minors is a criminal offense, therefore no club would have as a bylaw that sex with a white female of 14 yrs old is permissible. likewise this club should be sued since they are operating against the principles set out in one of the amendments. it should be null and void, that means that anyone, could if they wanted to, do their own thing that is against the law, form some club and implement a bylaw to do what is wrong. this lodge just wants to keep out the blacks... i won't want to join any lodge since the head of these secret lodges is none other than satan and not the true God