A group of white New Haven firefighters who persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to sanction their promotions over black colleagues are receiving their new badges today in a ceremony that provides symbolic recognition of their victory.
The high court ruled in June that city officials violated white firefighters’ civil rights when they threw out 2003 test results in which too few minorities did well.
The case became an issue in confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who ruled against the white firefighters when she served on a federal appeals court.
Fourteen firefighters who sued are being promoted to lieutenant and captain. Another 10 firefighters, including four minorities, who took the 2003 tests but were not plaintiffs in the court case also will be promoted. (AP)
