Shaw v. Reno was a landmark legal case brought before the United States Supreme Court in 1993. The case dealt with the redrawing of North Carolina's congressional districts following the 1990 census. The central issue in Shaw v. Reno was the constitutionality of the redistricting plan, specifically focusing on one district, the 12th Congressional District.The plaintiffs, led by white voters including Shaw, challenged the redistricting plan, arguing that it was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. They contended that the creation of the 12th District, which was designed as a majority-minority district to enhance African American representation, amounted to racial segregation and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, held that the redistricting plan was subject to strict scrutiny because it involved race-based classifications. The Court concluded that the creation of the 12th District was predominantly based on race and lacked a compelling state interest, thereby violating the Equal Protection Clause. This decision established an important precedent regarding racial gerrymandering and the need for careful scrutiny of districting plans that use race as a predominant factor in their design.