Supreme Court firefighters decision

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June 29, 2009

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Connecticut were victims of illegal racial discrimination. The case stems from a 2003 decision by officials in New Haven to throw out the results of a promotion assessment when no black firefighters were among the top scorers. The ruling clarifies job discrimination rules and says that the goal of the Civil Rights Act is to remove race as a factor in hiring and promotions. It also overturns a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York, which included Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Larry Mantle discusses the meaning and impact of the decision.

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AirTalk On The Road

Afghanistan: The Way Forward

More American troops and fewer predator drones? Should the Taliban have a stake in governing the country? And who should intervene in a flourishing opium trade? AirTalk goes on the road to stage our own Afghan summit and you're invited.

The event takes place at the Autry National Center, November 11 at 7pm. RSVP to AirTalk@kpcc.org.

Ronald Rotunda, Doy and Dee Hentley Chair and Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence at Chapman University School of Law

Charles Doskow, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at University of La Verne College of Law

Mark Tushnet, Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School

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