Read this excerpt from the Supreme Court decision that the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was unconstitutional. Then, answer the question. According to the ruling, why can't the 14th Amendment be used in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1875?

The ruling said the Fourteenth Amendment restricts discrimination by state governments, but does not regulate discrimination by private individuals or businesses. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 tried to prohibit discrimination in places such as hotels and theaters, which were privately operated. Therefore, the amendment could not support that federal law; choice C is correct.

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