Document: 403 U.S. 88 91 S.Ct. 1790 29 L.Ed.2d 338 Eugene GRIFFIN et al., Petitioners,v.Lavon BRECKENRIDGE al. No. 144. Argued Jan. 13 and 14, 1971. Decided June 7, Syllabus Petitioners, Negro citizens of Mississippi, filed a damages action under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3), charging that respondents, white conspired to assault petitioners, who were passengers 'travelling upon the federal, state, local highways' in an automobile driven by one Grady, citizen Tennessee, for purpose preventing them 'and other Negro-Americans, through * force, violence intimidation, from seeking equal protection laws enjoying rights, privileges immunities United States State Mississippi,' including rights free speech, assembly, association, movement, right not be enslaved. The complaint alleged pursuant conspiracy mistakenly believing Grady civil worker, blocked travellers' passage on public highways, forced car, held at bay with firearms, amidst threats murder clubbed them, inflicting serious physical injury. Section 1985(3) provides: 'If two or more persons conspire go disguise highway premises another, depriving any person class laws, (and) case set forth this section, if engaged therein do act furtherance object such conspiracy, whereby another is injured deprived privilege States, party so deprived' may have cause against conspirators. District Court dismissed failure state action, relying Collins v. Hardyman, 341 651, 71 937, 95 L.Ed. 1253, where order avoid difficult constitutional questions, effect construed reach only conspiracies color law. Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. Sec. does require but reaches private conspiracies, as here, are aimed invidiously discriminatory deprivation enjoyment secured all law, clearly manifested wording legislative history statute companion statutory provisions, impediments influenced Court's construction Collins, supra, clear recent decisions, simply exist. Pp. 95—103. 2. Congress had authority sort both 2 Thirteenth Amendment its power protect interstate travel. 104—106. 410 F.2d 817, reversed remanded. Stephen J. Pollak, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Lawrence G. Wallace, amicus curiae, special leave Court. W. D. Moore, Philadelphia, Miss., respondents. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion 1 This litigation began when petitioners Southern compensatory punitive alleging, substantial part, follows: '2. plaintiffs residents Kemper County, Mississippi. '3. defendants, Lavon Breckenridge James Calvin Breckenridge, adult residing DeKalb, 3 '4. On July 2, 1966, belonging operated R. Memphis, Tennessee. They travelling highways about performing various errands visiting friends. 4 '5. 1966 acting mistaken belief was worker Civil Rights Negroes, wilfully maliciously conspired, planned, agreed block said stop detain assault, beat injure deadly weapons. Their prevent limited their freedom association assembly; petition government redress grievances; secure homes; enslaved nor life liberty than due process 5 '6. Pursuant defendants drove truck into path Grady's over road. Both then get out prevented escaping while defendant blackjack, pipe kind club pointing firearms uttering kill defendants' orders obeyed, thereby terrorizing utmost degree liberty. 6 '7. wilfully, intentionally, menaced assaulted each wielding blackjacks, pipes clubs, plaintiffs, causing become stricken fear immediate injury death suffer extreme terror, mental anguish, emotional distress. 7 '8. intentionally head, severely injuring continued escape them. 8 9 '12. By acts thereto, maliciously, directly indirectly, intimidated Negro-Americans exercising to, person; life, property travel without restraint same terms Mississippi *.' 10 jurisdiction federal court invoked language Rev.Stat. 1980, which 11 Territory either do, done, his property, having recovery damages, occasioned deprivation, conspirators.' 12 above reaching Fifth Circuit affirmed judgment dismissal. 817. Judge Goldberg's thorough expressed 'serious doubts' 'continued vitality' id., 823, stated 'it would surprise us Hardyman disapproved embrace interfere national citizenship,' 825—826 (footnote omitted), concluded '(s)ince we adopt what Supreme has expressly rejected, obediently abide mandate Collins,' 826—827. We granted certiorari, 397 1074, 90 1525, 25 808, consider questions going scope constitutionality 1985(3). decided 20 years ago. members political scheduled meeting resolution opposing Marshall Plan, send copies appropriate officials; deprive peaceably assemble States; that, proceeded site and, violence, broke up meeting, thus interfering Government did meetings groups whose opinions agreed. 1985(3):1 14 'The makes no claim overt involved officials, even pretended It shown claimed immunity law they fact enjoyed because omission authorities.' U.S., 655, S.Ct., 939. 15 'What here affect way these plaintiffs' equality There slightest allegation conscious trying influence endeavoring obstruct it. Such discrimination inequality before unless there some manipulation agencies give sanction sanctuary doing so.' Id., 661, 942. 16 careful make it deciding question, construing statute, precisely, determining applicability facts complaint:2 17 'We say nothing authorize actions respondents commenced otherwise grievances assert. think not, narrow defined included charged here. therefore questions.' 662, 18 Nonetheless, made equally gave problems thought been engendered: 19 'It apparent meets requirements Act, raises first magnitude light history, difficulty. These include issues congressional apart Fourteenth Amendment, reserved content derived distinguished citizenship, question separability Act application those classes rights.' 659, 940. Burton dissenting opinion, joined Black Douglas. dissenters '(t)he refutes suggestion necessary ingredient recognizes.' 663, Further found difficulty according words meaning: 21 'Congress certainly create favor individuals abridgment federally created rights. seems me done just (§ 1985(3)). inconsistent principle underlying Amendment. That amendment prohibits respective states making abridging denying within laws. Cases holding clauses directed contention pass supporting exist Amendment.' 664, 943. II 22 Whether correctly own need concerned. But clear, evolution decisional passed since decided, many perceived Little reason remains, therefore, accord meaning. meaning confirmed judicial related structural setting 1995(3) itself, history. And fair reading allegations brings language. As construed, applied complaint, doubt enact. III 23 turn, then, examination face, fully encompass conduct persons. provision speaks 'two Territory' 'conspire another.' Going disguise, particular, context activity little associated official commonly connected marauders clause could almost never applicable artificially restrictive Collins. 'going disguise' aspect must hard see how aspect, disjunctive, read involvement officers. 24 continues, specifying motivation required 'for depriving, laws.' is, course, similar States,3 thinking can constitute has, Amendment's wording, focused entirely identifying requisite 'state action' defining offending forms conduct. A century adjudication words, understandably conceive might Yet inherent phrase requires working come State. See, e.g., Harris, 106 629, 643, 601, 612, 27 290. Indeed, mention viewed important indication intent speak deprivations 'equal laws' laws,' whatever source. approach Reconstruction statutes 'accord (them) sweep broad (their) language.' Price, 383 787, 801, 86 1152, 1160, 267; Jones Alfred H. Mayer Co., 392 409, 437, 2186, 2202, 1189. Moreover, very closely early late received interpretation quite given In exact criminal counterpart observed 'not take (of action),' 639, 609, 'was framed invasion persons,' 637, 607. Williams, 70, 581, 758, considered closest remaining analogue 241.4 Frankfurter's plurality contravention concurrence dissent, 'if carry principal 241), unlike (18 242), rather officers authority. Men 'go highway, another' likely capacities.' 76, 584. 'Nothing (the) 241) indicates relevant prosecution it.' 78, 585 omitted). 26 like reinforced broadened provisions. appear three possible limitation 1985(3)—that interference authorities, massive effective supplants authorities satisfies requirement.5 1871, Stat. 13, parent dealt situations explicit parts Act. An element established now 1983, complained inflicted law.6 To requirement section independent effect. itself contains dealing explicitly situation.7 1871 provided military command President should lawlessness render powerless citizens, situation being constituting denial protection. 14. Given existence impossible believe intended, dissimilar portion us, duplicate coverage final area inquiry 1985(2) lies originally introduced 42d Congress, solely outlawing certain conspiratorial 'to violation privileges, Cong.Globe, Cong., 1st Sess., App. 68 (1871). Introducing bill, House sponsor, Representative Shellabarger stressed 'the always assumed enforce, also persons, every provisions Constitution.' 69 (emphasis supplied). enormous original led pressures amendment, course present remedy added. explanations added centered animus required, liability imposed purely conspiracies. Willard, draftsman limiting version 'provid(ed) essence crime consist laws; Constitution secured, intended secure, immunities, punish equality.' 188. Shellabarger's explanation similar: confine prevention shall attack American citizens; right, strike down citizen, end he enjoy contrasted citizens' remedies section.' 478.8 28 Other supporters bill insistence action. Shortly introduced, Shanks urged, 'I want (this measure) amended taken frank assertion liberty, irrespective 141. At time, Coburn asked: 'Shall deal individuals, State? If less radical works governments. seem accordant easier, direct, method individual criminals preferable, superseding resorted condition outlawry general prevail quarters defiance permission government.' 459. After proposed House, Senator Pool insisted support during Senate debate States. offender 608. evident indicators—text, history—point unwaveringly 1985(3)'s meant however, mean apply tortious, interferences others. For, though legislation emphatic believe, Cook, 'that battery committed State.' 485. shoals lie interpreting tort avoided giving full purpose—by requiring, sponsors amendment. See remarks Representatives Willard Shellabarger, quoted 100. requiring protection, means racial, perhaps class-based, behind conspirators' action.9 aim all.10 IV 30 return petitioners' determine whether construed. allege (1) (2) assert conspirators (3) did, caused 'any conspiracy,' (4a) 'injured property' (4b) 'deprived States.' 31 alleges, particulars, assault. further asserts '(t)heir long list enumerated movement. alleges 'acting Negroes.' legal race. claims detention, threats, amply satisfy conspiracy. Finally, petitioners—whether nonparty main target conspiracy—allege personal resulting acts. close core wholly not. must, accordingly, enact imposes complaint. V 32 once appeared settled adversely 290, Baldwin Franks, 120 678, 656, 766, unconstitutional counterpart, 5519 Revised Statutes.11 cases, followed severability rule invalidation entire part unconstitutionally overbroad, different E.g., 685, 658. firmly rejected cases Raines, 362 17, 20—24, 80 519, 522—524, 524. Consequently, find applications uphold facial case. 33 others can, doubts constitutionality. 241, far broader phrasing (see n. 4, supra), constitutional. re Quarles, 158 532, 959, 39 1080; Logan 144 263, 293—295, 617, 626—627, 36 429; Waddell, 112 77—81, 35, 36—38, 673; Ex parte Yarbrough, 110 152, 274. generally Twining New Jersey, 211 97—98, 18—20, 53 97. Our inquiry, source A. 34 Even struck indicated would, severable, 640—641, 610—611. surely impose mere prohibition establishing upholding slavery, absolute declaration slavery involuntary servitude Cases, 109 3, 20, 18, 28, 835. 23, 30; Clyatt 197 207, 216, 218, 429, 430, 431, 49 726; 437—440, 2202—2204, Not liability, varieties criminally punishable civilly remediable extend beyond actual imposition servitude. ourselves Nation proposition former slaves descendants forever free. keep promise, rationally badges incidents translate determination legislation.' 440, 2203. conclude powers creating victims conspiratorial, racially basic secures men. B 35 constitutionally protected, necessarily rest assertable well governmental interference. Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 629—631, 89 1322, 1328—1330, 600; 642—644, 1335—1336 (concurring opinion); Guest, 745, 757—760 1170, 1177 1180, 239; 97, 97; Slaughter-House Wall. 36, 79 80, 394; Crandall Nevada, 44, 48—49, 744; Passenger (Smith Turner), How. 283, 492, 702 (Taney, C.J., dissenting). 'right freely state' recognized 'among citizenship.' 19. legislation. 759, 1178; Classic, 313 299, 314—315, 61 1031, 1037—1038, 85 1368; 274; Oregon Mitchell, 400 112, 285 287, 260, 345—346, 272 opinion). 'were about' County Mississippi-Alabama border. One results Negroes 'rights Mississippi.' inspired respondents' erroneous Tennessean, Under open prove trial engaging so, discriminatorily impaired drive out-of-state workers State, deter associating evidence suffered C 37 sources power, imply absence other. More specifically, consideration Amendment.12 token, bring authorized occasion trace permissible periphery. 38 reversed, remanded proceedings consistent opinion. ordered. 40 Reversed 41 HARLAN, concurring. I agree except unnecessary rely travel' premise justifying With reservation, join 47(3) (1946 ed.). work appears. lawless brawl, precipitated handful citizens.' 'No enforce abridge law; deny injure, oppress, threaten, intimidate exercise him exercised same; hinder secured— 'They fined $5,000 imprisoned ten years, both.' penalty 1968. 241 (1964 ed., Supp. V). last suggested Hardyman. supra. 'Every who, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, Territory, subjects, causes subjected, thereof liable suit equity, proper proceeding redress.' hindering constituted securing finally became appears borrowed 241. 41st 2d 3611—3613 (1870). decide, case, motivated racial bias actionable us. Cf. 567 (1871) (remarks Sen Edmunds). word 'equal' confused test 'specific definite decision law' articulated Screws 325 91, 103, 65 1036, 1495, prosecutions 242. 242, specific 'wilfulness.' Monroe Pape, 365 167, 187, 81 473, 484, 492. focuses scienter relation animus. repealed 1909. 1154. Katzenbach Morgan, 384 641, 1731, 828; 135, 270 (opinion Douglas, J.), 229, 317 Brennan, White, Marshall, JJ.); 761, 1180 (Clark, J., concurring), 774, 1187 (Brennan, concurring

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