Sullivan v. Little Hunting Park, Inc. - 396 U.S. 229, 90 S. Ct. 400 (1969)

Rule:

All citizens of the United States shall have the same right, in every State and Territory, as is enjoyed by white citizens thereof to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property. 42 U.S.C.S. § 1982.

Facts:

Under the bylaws of the respondent organized to operate a community park and playground facilities for the benefit of area residents, a person owning a membership share was entitled when he rented his home to assign the share to his tenant, subject to approval of the board of directors. The petitioner homeowner-lessor bought another house in the area and leased the first one to the petitioner lessee, an African American. The lessor also assigned his membership share to the lessee. When the board refused to approve the assignment because the lessee was a Negro, the lessor protested and was expelled from the corporation by the board. The lessor and lessee sought injunctions and monetary damages in the trial court, which denied relief. The court of appeals denied the appeals, saying that it lacked jurisdiction to hear them.

Issue:

Were the petitioners entitled to relief for discrimination?

Answer:

Yes.

Conclusion:

Petitioners entitled to relief for discrimination under federal statute where respondents denied transfer of petitioner's leasehold interest to petitioner African American and expelled petitioner from corporate board for defending co-petitioner.