Document: 345 U.S. 67 73 S.Ct. 526 97 L.Ed. 828 FOWLERv.STATE OF RHODE ISLAND. No. 340. Argued Feb. 3, 1953. Decided March 9, Mr. Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for appellant. Raymond J. Pettine, Providence, R.I., appellee. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The City Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has an ordinance which reads as follows: 2 'Sec. 11. No person shall address any political or religious meeting in public park; but this section not be construed to prohibit club society from visiting park a body, provided that no made under auspices such park.' 3 Johovah's Witnesses, sect, assembled Slater Park Pawtucket at trial was conceded character. About 400 people attended, 150 being Jehovah's Witnesses. Appellant is minister residing Arlington, Mass. He invited miniter give talk before congregation accepted invitation, attended park, and addressed it over two loud speakers. It quiet, orderly with disturbances breaches peace whatsoever. 4 Appellant's entitled 'The Pathway Peace.' discussed futility efforts establish world. And then, according his uncontradicted testimony he 'launched forth into scriptural evidence show where we were on string time; hard reached end wicked system things.' had been talking only few minutes when arrested by police charged violating set above. tried found guilty objections so applied violated First Fourteenth Amendments Constitution. fined $5. His conviction affirmed Island Supreme 91 A.2d 27. see Fowler v. State, 83 67, earlier opinon answering certified questions holding valid. case here appeal. 28 U.S.C. § 1257(2). 5 Davis Commonwealth Massachusetts, 167 43, 17 731, 42 71, decided 1897, sustained man making speech Boston Commons violation forbade there without permit mayor. Much oral argument most briefs have devoted one hadn defense other hand attack it. Analyses subsequent decisions submitted effort either demonstrate today good law, qualified longer vitality. We are appellant overrule it; asked respondent reaffirm 6 put side problems presented its offspring. For aspect present undercuts all others makes necessary us reverse judgment. As said, one. On Court Assistant Attorney General further ordinance, applied, did church services park. Catholics could hold mass Protestants conduct their ordinance. Church normally entail singing, prayer, devotionals preaching well. Even so, those would barred That broad concession, argument, fatal Island's case. plainly shows service Witnesses treated differently than sects. amounts state preferring some groups In Niemotko State Maryland, 340 268, 272—273, 71 325, 327—328, 95 267, 280, fours There open groups, denied because dislike local officials these views. discrimination held Amendments. 7 sect conventions different practices groups. Its less ritualistic, more unorthodox, formal some. But apart narrow exceptions relevant here, Reynolds United States, 98 145, 25 244; Beason, 133 333, 10 299, 33 637, business courts say what practice activity group religion protection Amendment. Nor competence our constitutional scheme approve, disapprove, classify, regulate, manner control sermons meetings. Sermons much part prayers. They cover wide range great diversity Bible Holy Book they commonly take texts. To call words speaks sermon, immune regulation, another address, subject merely indirect way another. precisely effect if face concession during argument. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal ministers, Catholic priests, Moslem mullahs, Buddhist monks preach congregations Pawtucket's parks impunity. law laid shoulder unpopular performing same function. 8 judgment reversed cause remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 9 Reversed. FRANKFURTER concurs Court, except insofar may derive support him Equal-Protection-of-the-Laws Clause Amendment condemns 11 JACKSON result.

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