Heart of Atlanta Motel

The Heart of Atlanta Motel case (1964) involved a motel in Georgia refusing to rent rooms to Black customers, violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The motel owner argued that Congress did not have the authority to force private businesses to serve all customers. The Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act was constitutional, using Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce. This decision affirmed that businesses engaging in interstate commerce can be subject to federal laws promoting equal access and non-discrimination.