Document: 389 U.S. 309 88 S.Ct. 450 19 L.Ed.2d 546 W. E. B. DuBOIS CLUBS OF AMERICA et al.v.CLARK al. No. 515. Decided Dec. 11, 1967. Rehearing Denied Jan. 22, 1968. See 390 913, 814. William M. Kunstler, Arthur Kinoy, Melvin L. Wulf, David Rein, Monroe H. Freedman and Floyd McKissick, for appellants. Acting Solicitor General Spritzer, Assistant Attorney Yeagley, Kevin T. Maroney, George Searls Lee Anderson, appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 On March 4, 1966, the petition Subversive Activities Control Board an order, after appropriate hearings, requiring DuBois Clubs of America to register with as a Communist-front organization.1 April 26, before hearings were held, appellants attempted bypass by suing in District Court.2 Appellants' complaint Court alleged that registration provisions Act unconstitutional.3 The also 'very pendency these administrative proceedings * has resulted will continue result immediate irreparable injury fundamental constitutional rights *.' Appellants asked order declaring unconstitutional enjoining SACB from enfocing them. A three-judge Court, convened on appellants' motion, dismissed because had failed exhaust their remedies.4 This appeal followed. 2 Before there may be punish failure General, must first find is organization issue effect.5 provides full evidentiary hearing which held public. represented counsel, offer oral or documentary evidence, submit rebuttal conduct cross-examination. make written report state its finding fact. If are aggrieved Board's they obtain review United States Appeals Columbia Circuit set aside if it not 'supported preponderance evidence.'6 Upon motion party, take additional evidence. Of course, does cover appellants, challenge constitutionality either applied face. Judgments reviewable this certiorari.7 3 It evident Congress provided way raise claims. But denying within coverage Act, wish litigate claims injunctive proceeding Court. effect would important difficult issues decided devoid factual context was clear covered Act.8 We have previously refused decide very involved here objecting parties. American Committee Protection Foreign Born v. SACB, 380 503, 85 1148, 14 39; Veterans Abraham Lincoln Brigade 513, 1153, 46. Similarly, should forced questions vacuum. 4 rely Dombrowski Pfister, 479, 1116, 22 (1965), support contention usual rule exhaustion remedies9 apply case. In Dombrowski, however, presented context. record demonstrating history harassment connection exercise First Amendment rights, ordered federal district court injunction against pending criminal prosecutions under statutes. statutes 'void face,' concluded that, circumstances case, required prosecution, freedoms already taken place compounded. Accordingly, allowed assert equitable proceeding. 5 affidavits constitute no more than conclusory allegations purpose threatened enforcement 'harass' intended General's announcement he filed SACB. Further, being prosecution. As below made clear, 'Congress careful provision tangible sanction can come into play until facts been explored open (before Board) courts scrutinized what show, both adequacy impact upon statute itself.'10 we decline require permit substitution civil specifically provided. 6 affirm granted judgment affirmed. 7 Affirmed. 8 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. 9 I believe now challenged void face, resolved condition outcome litigation, therefore reason lower abstain exercising jurisdiction. 10 defines 'Communist-front organization' one substantially directed, dominated, controlled Communist-action primarily operated giving aid organization, Communist foreign government, world movement. 50 U.S.C. § 782(4). defined, group engaged action but advocacy; included, so advocacy, 781(15) describing growth movement speaks those who seek 'converts far wide extensive system schooling indoctrination.' 11 Legislation curbing penalizing advocacy even ideas despise is, submit, at war Amendment. Under our Constitution one's belief ideology concern government. One think likes, embrace any philosophy chooses, select politics best fits his ideals needs. That all implicit assembly, petition, expression. Those merely enforce, protect, beliefs committed. So right association said over again part parcel rights. Basic scheme values immunity beliefs, ideas, government inquiry, probing, surveillance.1 12 Jefferson expressed theory: 13 '(T)he opinions men object nor jurisdiction *. (I)t time enough rightful purposes officers interfere when principles break out overt acts peace good Jefferson, Bill For Establishing Religious Freedom, Jeffersonian Cyclopedia 976 (1900). my reading officially pilloried punished having particular philosphic political creed effectively deterred 15 see method whereby Government penalize 'being Communist' 'supporting Communists' 'promoting communism.' Communism, ideology, embraces broad array ideas. To some owns main means production, phases national life public sector, guaranteeing employment. communism medical care program reaches lowest levels society. others communal life, agriculture, fuller average person. flowering dance, music, painting, sculpture, athletics possible only arts activities move private sector. equivalent unemployment insurance, old age social security socialized state. commitment atheistic life. still others, adherence use force violence, necessary, achieve kind socialist And course projects enumerated plus perhaps well. 16 word 'revolution' acquired subversive connotation modern times. roots eminently respectable history.2 country product revolution. Our emphasizes grievances pile high remedies, sovereign powers reverts people. Teaching espousing revolution—as distinguished indulging obviously range 17 Dennis States, 341 494, 71 857, 95 L.Ed. 1137, 1951 peak 'notorious 'witch hunt' Nation, contrary. My Brother Black I, remaining members sat dissented. crime charged sustained conspiracy teach advocate Marxist creed, including overthrow violence. Id., 497, 861. No designed charged; attempt charged. agreement teach, advocate, espouse noxious most Americans. 18 cannot continuing vitality. line Terminiello City Chicago, 337 1, 69 894, 93 1131, where fascist protected Americans obnoxious communism. conceivable approve Dennis. prosecution subversion enjoined. people prosecuted fostering Negroes South. While win case grounds, trial itself injury. said: 20 'Because sensitive nature constitutionally expression, subject overbroad regulations risk test free expression—of transcendent value society, might loser.' 486, 1121. 21 present promoting defined which, example, collected arms violent problems. overbroad, bringing scope espousal, teaching causes stands. classified front, serious consequences follow: employment restricted, 784; application passports illegal, 785; required, 786; mails radio TV curtailed, 789; tax exemptions denied, 790. At least decisions bills attainder denial Fifth Yet vindication long protracted appeals. Meanwhile profound 'chilling' rights3 principle Pfister. 23 Communists. said, possibility holding expressing other belief. parallel though policies.4 They appear, termination hostilities Vietnam. concerned, putting restraints them 24 Harassing probing attitudes, pillorying minority views exposing Act—these actions same had. 25 ride do today. investigate left end spectrum, why spectrum. read Constitution, essential off backs keep off. There between hand other. former legitimate sphere legislation. Ideas, beyond reach committees, agencies, Congress, courts. 26 MR. JUSTICE adhere cases (see, e.g., Party 367 137, 169, 81 1357, 1431, 1448, 625; Aptheker Secretary State, 378 500, 517, 519, 84 1659, 1670, 992; 506, 511, 1150, 1155, 39, 41; 514, 46) reverse below. term 3(4) Internal Security 1950, 64 Stat. 989, organizations General. 786. When register, registration. 792. 27, dismiss petition. denied and, subsequently, August 18, answer According '(1) generally meaning (2) various fact petition.' attacked provisions, §§ 786(b), (c), (d), 'on face applied' violation Art. 9, cl. 3, III, First, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth Amendments Constitution. Although upheld Circuit, 117 U.S.App.D.C. 393, 401, 331 F.2d 53, 61 (1963), reversed 39 (1965); 404, 413, 64, 73 46 Weinstock 118 75 (1963); School Social Science 2, 76 determined (1965). Cf. 992 (1964). However, did stay further Court's disposition 794(a). National Council American-Soviet Friendship 116 162, 322 375 (1963). 792(d), (g), 793(a). Rescue Army Municipal 549, 568—585, 67 1409, 1419—1427, 91 1666 (1947). See, Myers Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., 303 41, 50—51, 58 459, 463, 82 638 (1938); Macauley Waterman S.S. 327 540, 543—545, 66 712, 713, 839 (1946); Aircraft & Diesel Corp. Hirsch, 752, 771—774, 1493, 1502—1504, 1796 (1947); Allen Grand Cent. Co., 347 535, 553, 74 745, 755, 98 933 (1954); Boire Greyhound 376 473, 481—482, 898, 849 50. 793(b), 794. Hannah Arendt writs: 'The 'people' retained (the Founding Fathers) manyness, endless variety multitude whose majesty resided plurality. Opposition opinion, namely potential unanimity all, many things Revolution complete agreement; knew realm republic constituted exchange opinion equals, simply disappear moment became superfluous equals happened opinion.' 88—89 'America become symbol society without poverty unique technological development actually discovered abolish abject misery sheer want always eternal. known European mankind could question rebellion poor truly revolutionary role. ancient cycle sempiternal recurrences based assumedly 'natural' distinction rich poor; existence prior outbreak broken once all.' Arendt, such reviews involve question, whether necessary remedies prerequisite challenging invalid vices parallelism Lattimore, 127 F.Supp. 405 (D.C.D.C.), aff'd equally divided court, 77, 232 334 (en banc).

Category: 8