The Equal Protection Clause

The Equal Protection Clause is part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It mandates that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction equal protection under the law. This means that individuals in similar situations should be treated equally and fairly by the law. The clause has been used to challenge discrimination based on race, gender, and other characteristics, ensuring that laws are applied consistently and justly. Essentially, it promotes fairness and equality, protecting people from unjust treatment by the government.