Document: 378 U.S. 130 84 S.Ct. 1770 12 L.Ed.2d 754 William L. GRIFFIN et al., Petitioners,v.STATE OF MARYLAND. No. 6. Reargued Oct. 14 and 15, 1963. Decided June 22, 1964. Joseph Rauh, Jr., Washington, D.C., Jack Greenberg, New York City, for petitioners. Robert C. Murphy, Russell R. Reno, Baltimore, Md., respondent. Ralph S. Spritzer, United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion 1 Petitioners were convicted criminal trespass refusing to a privately owned operated amusement park in State Maryland at command an employee acting under color his authority deputy sheriff. For reasons set forth hereinafter we hold that these convictions are violative Fourteenth Amendment must be aside. 2 The Glen Echo Amusement Park is located Montgomery County, Maryland, near D.C. Though through its advertisements sought patronage general public, it was (until recently) park's policy exclude Negroes who wished patronize facilities. No signs apprised persons this or otherwise indicated all comers not welcome. tickets admission required. In protest against segregation number whites picketed on 30, 1960. petitioners, five young Negroes, participating protest. Hopeful management might change policy, they entered park, encountered no resistance from employees, boarded carousel. They possessed transferrable tickets, previously purchased others, entitling holder ride 3 At time employed one Collins policeman arrangement with National Detective Agency. Although formally retained paid agency wore uniform, he subject control direction management. Apparently request had been deputized sheriff County.1 He wore, outside heriff's badge. 4 When saw petitioners sitting carousel waiting begin, reported their presence manager. manager told arrested trespassing if would park. then went up them 'not have colored people rides, park.' ordered within minutes. declined do so, pointing out There evidence any disorderly. end five-minute period Collins, testified, 'went each defendant arrest trespassing.' transported County police station. filled form titled 'Application Warrant Police Officer.' application stated: 5 'Francis J. being first duly sworn, oath doth depose say: That member Department such, 30th day June, 1960, about hour 8:45 P.M. did observe Griffin which private property(.) (O) n order Kebar Inc. owners def(endant) asked after giving him reasonable comply refused (and) placed * *. 6 'Whereas, Francis further say he, believes _ violating Sec. 577 Article 27 Annotated Code Maryland. 7 Collins.' 8 Md.Ann.Code, 1957 (Cum.Supp.1961), Art. 27, § 577, statute.2 On same Peace issued warrant charged petitioner '(d)id enter upon pass over land premises having Deputy Sheriff Park, Property, comply, contrary (Maryland statute) peace, government dignity State.' recited complaint made 'Collins Sheriff.' An amended later filed. It stated 'Collins, Sheriff' but unlawfully entering so 'an Agent' corporation Presumably identical documents filed respect other 9 tried Circuit Court County. Each sentenced pay fine $100. Appeals affirmed convictions. 225 Md. 422, 171 A.2d 717. court, rejecting petitioners' constitutional claims, reasoned follows: 10 '(T)he appellants case committed (who also agent operator) notified so. follows—since offense misdemeanor officer right them, either capacity operator limited *—the manner more than regular called make crime (T)he conviction result enforcement oeprator lawful segregation, constitute such action may fairly said 431, A.2d, 721. 11 We granted certiorari, 370 935, 82 1577, 805, reargument. 373 920, 83 1313, 421. Collins—in ordering arresting instituting prosecutions them—purported exercise sheriff's badge consistently identified himself rather stating because 'agent' has little, any, bearing character initially purported exercise. If individual state purports act authority, action. irrelevant taken acted purely particular took authorized law. See, e.g., Screws v. 325 91, 65 1031, 89 L.Ed. 1495. Thus, clear Collins' See Williams 341 97, 71 576, 95 774; see Labor Board Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 331 416, 429, 67 1274, 91 1575. only question remaining whether denied equal protection laws secured Amendment. did, invalid. 13 cannot disputed behalf owner thereof, enforced owner's racial deprived laws. Pennsylvania Trusts, 353 230, 77 806, 792; cf. Burton Wilmington Parking Authority, 365 715, 81 856, 45. Trusts confronted following situation. Stephen Girard will left fund trust establish college. provided will, effect, 'poor white male orphans' admitted. administered Directors City Philadelphia trustee. accord provisions two Negro applicants qualified. held: 'The operates College Pennsylvania. Therefore, even though trustee, refusal admit Fou t Felder college discrimination State. Such forbidden Brown Education, 347 483 (74 686, 98 873).' U.S., 231, 807. 15 extent undertakes obligation enforce violates 16 argued nevertheless constitutionally desire turn motivated discriminatory purpose. State, said, really enforcing since ultimate purpose immaterial simply management's designated individuals premises. president managed testified instructed segregation. escort entered. when short, Appeals, 'then contract protect (the) *.' 430, 720. Pursuant Negroes. This 17 Reversed. 18 DOUGLAS reverse Bell 242, 1823. 19 CLARK, concurring. 20 I join Court's understanding merely holds, peculiar facts here, 'must recognized joint participant challenged activity.' 725, 45 (1961). regularly policy. cannot, therefore, say, does my Brother HARLAN, situation 'is different what arrests dispatched headquarters.' Here sheriff, before charges Upon refusal, station where warrant. officer, off trespass, then, time, come scene serve due course magistrate, based filed, case. upon. 21 Mr whom BLACK WHITE join, dissenting. 22 pivotal issue exclusion Echo, anusement product accept premise exercising law, 721, presence. seems me, however, involvement headquarters. 23 believe, controlled principles discussed BLACK'S Be l 377 318, 1864, accordingly affirm judgment below. below pursuant 2—91 1955 provides 'on individual, appoint sheriffs duty connection property individual; wholly person whose account appointments made. shall power possess area appointed area.' 717, section provides: 'Any cross land, deemed guilty (however) nothing construed include entry crossing done bona fide claim ownership intention prohibit wanton othe s.'

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