The Department of Justice eradicated a decades-long civil rights case regarding the desegregation of a Louisiana school district.
Per a DOJ press release, officials pursued legal action against the Plaquemines Parish School Board in 1966. At the time, the parish was reportedly spearheaded by Leander Perez, who championed preserving racial segregation, which ultimately led to outrage and protests.
According to court “joint stipulation of dismissal” documents obtained by the Advocate, “the United States sought (and won) ‘injunctive relief enjoining the defendants from discriminating on the basis of race or color.” In 1975, the court found that the school board “was operating one system of schools” and eliminated “the effects of past discrimination.”
However, the case was still open in the court system with no action until April 29, 2025.
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‘Righted a historical wrong’
The press release said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon’s efforts “righted a historical wrong” and relieved the district from federal oversight. District leaders praised the dismissal, which will return power to the school system, according to the Advocate.
Gov. Jeff Landry said the remaining districts under desegregation cases in the state—more than two dozen as of 2020—have faced requirements from the federal court that cost “tens of millions of dollars,” the outlet reported.
“No longer will the Plaquemines Parish School Board have to devote precious local resources over an integration issue that ended two generations ago,” Dhillon said in a statement.
“This is a prime example of neglect by past administrations, and we’re now getting America refocused on our bright future,” the statement continued.
Plaquemines Parish is about 66 miles from New Orleans. Today, the district oversees eight schools, from elementary to high school.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Louisiana school desegregation civil rights case from 1966 closed: DOJ
