The Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to places of public accommodation patronized by interstate travelers by reason of the Commerce Clause. Decided December 14, 1964 (argued October 5, 1964). Opinion of the Court: Thomas Campbell Clark → go there Topic: Power of Congress to enforce civil rights. Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States, 379 U.S. 241 (1964), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States holding that the Commerce Clause gave the U.S. Congress power to force private businesses to abide by Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or national origin in public accommodations. Wiki link