Newspaper Is Sued For Racist Housing Ad

Civil rights groups are taking legal action after a New Bedford newspaper published a discriminatory real estate notice. An advertisement for a foreclosure auction in Fairhaven declared: "The said land shall not be sold, leased or rented to any person other than of the Caucasian race." That language was taken from the property's deed (PDF), which could date back 60 years.

The newspaper retracted the ad and apologized. Nevertheless, civil rights groups including the NAACP are suing the newspaper and the bank for unlawful discrimination. They are worried this kind of antiquated language will resurface in other ads.

We talk with attorney Michael Aleo about the case and ask how widespread these ads might be in Massachusetts.

Guests: