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The Reach Of 42 U.S.C. 1985(3): Sex Discrimination As A Gauge, Kevin E. Irwin

Cleveland State Law Review

In 1971 the United States Supreme Court held in Griffin v. Breckenridge that 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) could be used against private citizens who conspired to deprive others of their civil rights. The Supreme Court found that Congress had originally intended for the statute to reach the actions of private citizens, and that Congress had the authority to reach such activity under the thirteenth amendment and the constitutionally protected right to travel. In so holding, however, the Court offered no indication of how future claims arising under the statute would be adjudicated in fact situations unlike the unique one encountered …