Ida
Wells Barnett was forcibly removed from a rail car in Tennessee
in 1884. The rail car was reserved for white ladies only. Tennessee
was the first state to enact a separate car act, demanding separate
cars for blacks and whites even though it was in violation of
the 14th Amendment.
Wells sued the conductor and the rail company for violating her
civil rights. She won her case in local court but the decision was
appealed by the rail company. She lost the appeal on a ruling by
the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Ms Wells became involved in anti-lynching campaign and did not seek
a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. Her case preceded the infamous
Plessy vs. Ferguson.
