Case: Cato v. United States

94-cv-01470 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: 1994

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Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case further.] In 1994, three African-American individuals filed nearly a lawsuit against the United States in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs sued for damages due to the enslavement of African Americans in the United States and the subsequent discrimination against African Americans. In addition to damages, plaintiffs asked for an apology and an acknowledgement of discrimination.

Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong plaintiffs' dismissed the complaint. Plaintiff appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. There, the case was consolidated with Johnson v. United States, a nearly identical lawsuit against the federal government seeking damages for slavery and racial discrimination.

On December 4, 1995, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court's decision to dismiss both complaints.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9846161/parties/cato-v-united-states/

Judge(s)

Armstrong, Saundra Brown (California)

Judge(s)

Armstrong, Saundra Brown (California)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9846161/cato-v-united-states/

Last updated Aug. 7, 2025, 11:41 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	IN FORMA PAUPERIS AFFIDAVIT by plaintiffs for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 04/28/1994)	April 28, 1994	April 28, 1994 PACER
2	ORDER by Judge Saundra B. Armstrong setting status conference for 3:45 7/27/94 (cc: all counsel) [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 04/28/1994)	April 28, 1994	April 28, 1994 PACER
3	ORDER by Judge Saundra B. Armstrong Status conference set for 3:45 10/26/94 ; ( Date Entered: 7/29/94) (cc: all counsel) [3:94-cv-01470] (lrc, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 07/29/1994)	July 25, 1994	July 25, 1994 PACER
4	ORDER by Judge Saundra B. Armstrong dismissing case ; appeal filing ddl 10/19/94 ( Date Entered: 9/15/94) (cc: all counsel) [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 09/19/1994)	Sept. 15, 1994	Sept. 15, 1994 PACER
5	NOTICE OF APPEAL by Plaintiff Jewel Cato, Plaintiff Joyce Cato, Plaintiff Alma Cato, Plaintiff Howard Cato from Dist. Court decision Scheduling order dismissing case ; appeal filing ddl 10/19/94 [4-1] 105.00 [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 11/23/1994)	Nov. 18, 1994	Nov. 18, 1994 PACER
	Docket fee notification form and case information sheet to USCA [5-1] [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF)	Nov. 18, 1994	Nov. 18, 1994 PACER
	Copy of notice of appeal and docket sheet to all counsel [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF)	Nov. 18, 1994	Nov. 18, 1994 PACER
	NOTIFICATION by Circuit Court of Appellate Docket Number 94-17102 [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF)	Dec. 9, 1994	Dec. 9, 1994 PACER
6	CERTIFIED COPY of USCA Order: affirming the decision of the District Court [5-1] [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 02/12/1996)	Jan. 31, 1996	Jan. 31, 1996 PACER
7	CLERK's letter spreading the mandate to counsel. re appeal [5-1] [3:94-cv-01470] (cg, COURT STAFF) (Entered: 02/12/1996)	Feb. 12, 1996	Feb. 12, 1996 PACER

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Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Reparations

Key Dates

Filing Date: 1994