Mock Trial: Plessy v. Ferguson

Plessy vs. Ferguson was a trial that took place when Plessy bought a first class ticket in a "whites only" train car. The issue is that Plessy was not white and the railroad car had separate cars for blacks and whites. When Plessy was asked to leave the "whites only" section he refused and was then arrested. The trial of Plessy v. Ferguson resulted in legal segregation stating that facilities are "separate but equal".

During the mock trial one side, Plessy, argued that separation was unconstitutional due to the fact that the constitution says that one class of man is not superior to another. They also argued that Plessy's arrest was against the 14th amendment which gives everyone equal protection under the law. Plessy's argument also included the fact that African American's are often treated unfairly. The group claimed that if African Americans were still being mistreated then the civil war, which fought for African Americans' rights, was a waste. The side of Ferguson argued that separation was what was best for everyone. They noted that when the races are separated less violence occurs. An example that Ferguson used was the NY riots. In the end, the judge of the mock trial sided with Ferguson