#KeepHousingFair rally kicks off crucial Supreme Court case

For more on the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. case, see our previous posts.

Inside the Supreme Court of the United States this morning, arguments began in a crucial fair housing case. Outside on the steps, braving the cold, supporters rallied to remind the justices of the dire need to #KeepHousingFair for all Americans.

The first day of oral arguments showcased some misunderstanding and ambiguity about disparate impact, the portion of the Fair Housing Act at issue in the case, especially on the part of Justice Scalia. But the message outside was clear – disparate impact is vital to reducing segregation and providing equal opportunity in housing.

The message has been broadcast by civil rights groups over the past week through the #KeepHousingFair campaign. Groups like the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Fair Housing Alliance, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights led the rally this morning and continue to raise the public’s awareness about the need for disparate impact.

Let’s hope the justices inside were listening.

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