Document: 393 U.S. 175 89 S.Ct. 347 21 L.Ed.2d 325 Joseph CARROLL et al., Petitioners,v.PRESIDENT AND COMMISSIONERS OF PRINCESS ANNE al. No. 6. Argued Oct. 21, 1968. Decided Nov. 19, Eleanor H. Norton, New York City, and William Zinman, Baltimore, Md., for petitioners. S. Leonard Rottman, Alexander G. Jones, Princess Anne, respondents. Mr. Justice FORTAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioners are identified with a 'white supremacist' organization called National States Rights Party. They held public assembly or rally near courthouse steps in town county seat Somerset County, Maryland, evening August 6, 1966. The authorities did not attempt to interfere rally. Because tense atmosphere which developed as meeting progressed, about 60 state policemen were brought in, including some from nearby county. readiness, but tactical reasons only few evidence at scene 2 Petitioners' speeches, amplified by address system so that they could be heard several blocks, aggressively militantly racist. Their target was primarily Negroes and, secondarily, Jews. It is sufficient observe court below, speakers engaged deliberately derogatory, insulting, threatening language, scarcely disguised protestations peaceful purposes; listeners might well have construed their words both provocation crowd an incitement whites. continued something more than hour, concluding 8:25 p.m. listening speeches increased 50 beginning 150, whom 25% Negroes. 3 In course proceedings it announced would resumed following night, 7.1 4 On day, respondents, officials Anne applied obtained restraining order Circuit Court County. ex parte, no notice being given petitioners far appears, effort made informally communicate them, although this expressly contemplated under Maryland procedure.2 restrained 10 days holding rallies meetings 'which will tend disturb endanger citizens County.'3 As result, scheduled 7 held. After trial took place later, injunction issued on 31, effect extending restraint additional months. had before it, addition testimony witnesses, tape recordings police 6 5 appeal, Appeals affirmed 10-day order, reversed 10-month ground 'the period time unreasonable arbitrary assume clear present danger civil disturbance riot persist ten months.' sought review Court, 28 U.S.C. § 1257(3), asserting case moot decision continues adverse upon petitioners' rights. We granted certiorari. agree moot. Since 1966, continue activities, appears play substantial role response activities.4 these circumstances, our jurisdiction end. 8 This teaching Division 1287 Amalgamated Association Street, Electric Railway Motor Coach Employees America v. State Missouri, 374 74, 83 1657, 763 (1963), concerned labor dispute led seizure business. that, been terminated, because (which gave rise seizure) remains unresolved. There thus exists * merely speculative possibility invocation (seizure law) future dispute, presence existing unresolved *.' Id., 78, S.Ct., 1660. 9 Southern Pacific Terminal Co. ICC, 219 498, 31 279, 55 L.Ed. 310 (1911), declined hold two-year cease-and-desist issue expired. said: 'The question involved orders Interstate Commerce Commission usually continuing considerations ought be, defeated, short terms orders, capable repetition, yet evading 515, 283. These principles applicable case. underlying persists agitated activities program petitioners: whether, what processes, extent local governments may restrict meetings. 11 conclusion—that adjudicated Court—is particularly appropriate view Court's Walker City Birmingham, 388 307, 87 1824, 18 1210 (1967). case, demonstrators who proceeded protest march face prohibition injunctive against such march, defend contempt charges unconstitutionality injunction. proper procedure, held, seek judicial disobey matter how well-founded doubts its validity. here pursued indicated Walker; vitality grievance, we cannot say 12 30, do consider order. turn constitutional problems raised 13 urge constituted prior speech therefore violated First Amendment virtue Fourteenth Amendment. any event, assert, constitutionally permissible restrain 'clear danger' existed. 14 Respondents, however, argue should considered 'prior restraint' based events preceding directed preventing continuation those events, even if restraint,' issuance justified disorder generated 15 need decide thorny problem facts justified. must set aside basic infirmity procedure obtained. without effort, however informal, invite permit participation proceedings. jurisprudence parte issuance, notice, temporary duration; there within area freedoms guaranteed where showing impossible serve notify opposing parties give them opportunity participate. 16 challenge principle special, limited circumstances interlaced burgeoning violence protected broad guarantee Cantwell Connecticut, 296, 308, 900, 905, 84 1213 (1940), said '(n)o one hardihood suggest freedom sanctions riot.' See also Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 572, 62 766, 769, 86 1031 (1942); Milk Wagon Drivers Union Chicago, Local 753 Meadowmoor Dairies, 312 287, 294, 61 552, 555, 85 836 (1941). Ordinarily, State's interests adequately served criminal penalties imposed after speak has grossly abused immunity breached. impact consequences subsequent punishment abuse materially different restraint. Prior suppresses precise protect abridgment.5 17 emphasized '(a) restraints expression comes bearing heavy presumption validity.' Bantam Books, Inc. Sullivan, 372 58, 70, 631, 639, 584 (1963); Freedman 380 51, 57, 734, 738, 649 (1965). And otherwise overcome, insisted careful procedural provisions, designed assure fullest presentation consideration permit. supra, 739, noncriminal process 'avoids takes safeguards obviate dangers censorship system.' Measured standards, formal informal advise proceeding, sustained. Cf. Marcus Search Warrant, 367 717, 731, 81 1708, 1127 (1961);6 A Quantity Copies Books Kansas, 378 205, 1723, 809 (1964).7 latter disapproved books Kansas statute basis scrutiny judge. unconstitutional. Brennan, speaking plurality condemned 'not first affording (the seller books) adversary hearing.' 211, 1726. insisting hearing least absence reasonable efforts unsuccessful, compelling cases involving allegedly obscene books. involves 'political' element timeliness important. Harlan, dissenting pointed out, 'political social expression': 19 'It vital operation democratic government ideas important issues them. delay day two crucial importance instances. other hand, subject sex constant rarely topical interest.' U.S., 224, 1733. 20 record discloses reason why notified application apparently Anne. night another very when issued.8 actually writ 6:10 evening. justification character sensitive value self-help police, substantially diluted does available fundamental instrument judgment: proceeding demonstration difficult ascertain evaluate. Judgment whether justify use drastic power necessarily turns subtle controversial delicate assessment particular situation light legal standards inescapably imprecise.9 argument offered sides formulation judgments, insufficient assurance balanced analysis conclusions essential adjudication.10 22 same true fashioning An rights couched narrowest accomplish pin-pointed objective permitted mandate needs field, employ 'means broadly stifle personal liberties end can narrowly achieved.' Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 488, 247, 252, 231 (1960). words, tailored precisely possible exact necessary purpose.11 Certainly, failure party seeking exercise reduces drawn imperils protection seeks assure. 23 Finally, respondents invalidate because, days' notice. Rule Procedure BB72. But right overcome nature aborts meeting, duration, consequence Amendment's imperative. denial excused availability post-issuance possibly rescue but, best, shortened prevented 24 arise minimum unavailability counsel, perhaps reasons. provide restrained, incompatible reverse judgment below basis, provided temporarily enjoining 25 Reversed. 26 BLACK concurs result. 27 DOUGLAS, while joining adheres his dissent Kingsley Brown, 354 436, 446—447, 77 1325, 1330—1331, 1469, concurring 61—62, 740—741. Petitioner Norton said, 'I want you back tomorrow bring every friend *. We're going take easy tonight *' 'You white folks your friends, come night. Come let's raise little bit hell race.' text Writ Injunction follows: 'We command strictly enjoin prohibit Carroll, Richard J. B. Stoner, Connie Lynch, Robert Lyons, Brailsford Party County you, defendants, using operating causing operated devices apparatus (sic) human voice records radio, phonograph sound making producing device thereby disturbing transquility populace until determined equity, date hereof. 'Hereof, fail not, act contrary peril.' recite denied July 17, 1967, letter rejection relied Appeals' decision. acknowledge 25, authorized 28, 29, 1967; appear complain stipulated 250 feet, 'you racial epithets make slanderous remarks members race ethnic group.' elimination 'leading purpose' adoption Lovell Griffin, 303 444, 451—452, 58 666, 668 669, 82 949 (1938). rejected contention 1469 (1957), supported proposition impose extensive distribution publications obscenity.' 736, 1718. Kingsley, authorizing pendente lite upheld. By statute, person enjoined get 'within joinder issue.' courts subsequently statute. Tenney Liberty News Distribs., Inc., A.D.2d 770, 215 N.Y.S.2d 663 (1961). Compare leading Norris-LaGuardia Act, 47 Stat. 29 §§ 101—115. F. Frankfurther & N. Greene, Labor 200—205 (1930). petition recited Carroll others 'are presently Wicomico Counties Maryland.' Frankfurter Injunction, supra. relying exclusively version presented prosecuting officials, special interest. 57—58, 738—739. Williams Wallace, 240 F.Supp. 100 (D.C.M.D.Ala.1965). District Judge Johnson initially refused absent officials. Then, plaintiffs submitted detailed plan proposed Selma-Montgomery he interfering plan.

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