Question

separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment. this disposition makes unnecessary any discussion whether such segregation also violates the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment.
—brown v. board of education,
chief justice earl warren

in the passage, the court argues that the plaintiffs
have not been given equal protection of the
laws guaranteed by the constitution.
have misinterpreted the laws guaranteed by
the fourteenth amendment.
must provide additional evidence.
done

Explanation:

The passage is from Brown v. Board of Education, where the court (under Chief Justice Warren) held that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause is about ensuring equal protection of the laws. The first option aligns with this: the plaintiffs (and similarly situated) were deprived of equal protection. The second option is incorrect as the court didn't argue the plaintiffs misinterpreted the Fourteenth Amendment. The third option is incorrect as the court's ruling here didn't require additional evidence from plaintiffs.

Answer:

A. have not been given equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Constitution.