Shaare Tefila Congregation v. Cobb

481 U.S. 615 (1987)

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Shaare Tefila Congregation v. Cobb

United States Supreme Court
481 U.S. 615 (1987)

  • Written by Noah Lewis, JD

Facts

In 1982, eight men, including John Cobb, (defendants) spray painted the outside walls of the synagogue of the Shaare Tefila Congregation (congregation) (plaintiff) in Silver Spring, Maryland, with large red and black anti-Semitic slogans, phrases, and symbols. The congregation and some individual members (plaintiffs) brought a civil-rights suit in federal district court alleging violations under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1982, 1985(3), and state common law. Section 1982 was passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and aimed to eliminate racial discrimination. The congregation alleged the vandals were motivated by racial prejudice, which deprived them of their property rights in violation of § 1982. The district court dismissed the case, and the court of appeals affirmed, concluding that § 1982 required the plaintiff to be a member of a racially distinct group and not merely perceived as such by the perpetrator. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)

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