Judge: White Conn. firefighters must be promoted

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A federal judge has ordered Connecticut officials to promote 14 firefighters who won a reverse discrimination case in a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton ruled Tuesday that the civil rights of white New Haven firefighters were violated when city officials threw out the results of a 2003 promotion exam when too few minorities did well.

Her ruling followed the Supreme Court's instructions.

In 2006, Arterton had thrown out the white firefighters' lawsuit. A federal appeals court upheld her decision before the Supreme Court overturned both rulings in June.

City spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga said Tuesday that New Haven intends to promote the firefighters "as soon as practicable."

Six firefighters are set to be promoted to captain and eight to lieutenant.

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Information from: New Haven Register