Document: 393 U.S. 503 89 S.Ct. 733 21 L.Ed.2d 731 John F. TINKER and Mary Beth Tinker, Minors, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT al. No. 21. Argued Nov. 12, 1968. Decided Feb. 24, 1969. Dan Johnston, Des Moines, Iowa, for petitioners. Allan A. Herrick, respondents. Mr. Justice FORTAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner 15 years old, petitioner Christopher Eckhardt, 16 attended high schools in Iowa. John's sister, was a 13-year-old student junior school. 2 In December 1965, group adults students Moines held meeting at Eckhardt home. The determined to publicize their objections hostilities Vietnam support truce by wearing black armbands during holiday season fasting on New Year's Eve. Petitioners parents had previously engaged similar activities, they decided participate program. 3 principals became aware plan wear armbands. On 14, met adopted policy that any an armband school would be asked remove it, if he refused suspended until returned without armband. were regulation authorities adopted. 4 16, wore schools. Tinker his next day. They all sent home from come back did not return after planned period expired—that is, Day. 5 This complaint filed United States District Court petitioners, through fathers, under § 1983 Title 42 Code. It prayed injunction restraining respondent officials members board directors district disciplining it sought nominal damages. After evidentiary hearing dismissed complaint. upheld constitutionality authorities' action ground reasonable order prevent disturbance disipline. 258 F.Supp. 971 (1966). court referred but expressly declined follow Fifth Circuit's holding case symbols like cannot prohibited unless 'materially substantially interfere(s) with requirements appropriate discipline operation school.' Burnside v. Byars, 363 F.2d 744, 749 (1966).1 6 appeal, Appeals Eighth Circuit considered en banc. equally divided, Court's decision accordingly affirmed, opinion, 383 988 (1967). We granted certiorari. 390 942, 88 1050, 19 1130 (1968). I. 7 recognized purpose expressing certain views is type symbolic act within Free Speech Clause First Amendment. See West Virginia State Board Education Barnette, 319 624, 63 1178, 87 L.Ed. 1628 (1943); Stromberg California, 283 359, 51 532, 75 1117 (1931). Cf. Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 60 736, 84 1093 (1940); Edwards South Carolina, 372 229, 83 680, 9 697 (1963); Brown Louisiana, 131, 86 719, 637 As we shall discuss, circumstances this entirely divorced actually or potentially disruptive conduct those participating it. closely akin 'pure speech' which, have repeatedly held, entitled comprehensive protection Cox 379 536, 555, 85 453, 464, 13 471 (1965); Adderley Florida, 385 39, 242, 17 149 8 Amendment rights, applied light special characteristics environment, are available teachers students. can hardly argued either shed constitutional rights freedom speech expression schoolhouse gate. has been unmistakable almost 50 years. Meyer Nebraska, 262 390, 43 625, 67 1042 (1923), Bartels 404, 628, 1047 Court, opinions McReynolds, Due Process Fourteenth prevents forbidding teaching foreign language young Statutes effect, unconstitutionally interfere liberty teacher, student, parent.2 also Pierce Society Sisters, 268 510, 45 571, 69 1070 (1925); Illinois ex rel. McCollum School Dist. 71, 333 203, 68 461, 92 649 (1948); Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 195, 73 215, 220, 97 216 (1952) (concurring opinion); Sweezy Hampshire, 354 234, 77 1203, 1311 (1957); Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 487, 81 247, 251, 231 (1960); Engel Vitale, 370 421, 82 1261, 601 (1962); Keyishian Regents, 589, 603, 675, 683, 629 (1967); Epperson Arkansas, 97, 266, 228 supra, Amendment, public may compelled salute flag. Speaking Jackson, said: 10 'The as now States, protects citizen against itself its creatures—Boards excepted. These have, course, important, delicate, highly discretionary functions, none perform limits Bill Rights. That educating citizenship reason scrupulous Constitutional freedoms individual, strangle free mind source teach youth discount important principles our government mere platitudes.' U.S., 637, 1185. 11 other hand, emphasized need affirming authority officials, consistent fundamental safeguards, prescribe control 104, 270; 402, 627. Our problem lies area where exercise collide rules authorities. II. 12 posed present does relate length skirts clothing, hair style, deportment. Ferrell Dallas Independent District, 392 (C.A.5th Cir. 1968); Pugsley Sellmeyer, 158 Ark. 250 S.W. 538, 30 A.L.R. 1212 (1923). concern aggressive, even demonstrations. involves direct, primary speech.' banned punish petitioners silent, passive unaccompanied disorder part There here no evidence whatever petitioners' interference, actual nascent, schools' work collision secure let alone. Accordingly, intrudes upon 14 Only few 18,000 system five them. indication class disrupted. Outside classrooms, made hostile remarks children armbands, there threats acts violence premises. concluded because based fear But, system, undifferentiated apprehension enough overcome right expression. Any departure absolute regimentation cause trouble. variation majority's inspire fear. word spoken, class, lunchroom, campus, deviates another person start argument disturbance. But Constitution says must take risk, Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 894, 93 1131 (1949); history sort hazardous freedom—this kind openness—that basis national strength independence vigor Americans who grow up live relatively permissive, often disputations, society. justify prohibition particular able show caused something more than desire avoid discomfort unpleasantness always accompany unpopular viewpoint. Certainly finding showing engaging forbidden school,' sustained. 749. case, such finding, independent examination record fails yield anticipate impinge Even official memorandum prepared suspension listed reasons ban reference anticipation disruption.3 18 contrary, appears urgent wish controversy which might result expression, silent symbol opposition Nation's conflagration Vietnam.4 revealing, respect, issue contested called response student's statement journalism teacher one wanted write article published paper. (The dissuaded.5) relevant purport prohibit political controversial significance. shows some w re buttons relating campaigns, Iron Cross, traditionally Nazism. prohibiting extend these. Instead, symbol—black worn exhibit involvement Vietnam—was singled out prohibition. Clearly, least necessary material substantial interference schoolwork discipline, constitutionally permissible. 20 state-operated enclaves totalitarianism. do possess over Students well 'persons' Constitution. possessed just themselves respect obligations State. regarded closed-circuit recipients only chooses communicate. confined sentiments officially approved. absence specific valid regulate speech, views. Judge Gewin, speaking Circuit, said, suppress 'expressions feelings contend.' 627, McReynolds expressed repudiation principle so 'foster homogeneous people.' He 22 'In submerge individual develop ideal citizens, Sparta assembled males seven into barracks intrusted subsequent education training guardians. Although measures deliberately approved men great genius, ideas touching relation between wholly different institutions rest; will affirmed Legislature could impose restrictions people state doing both letter spirit Constitution.' 23 repeated numerous occasions intervening 629, Brennan, 24 "The vigilant nowhere vital community American schools.' (364 479), 487 (81 231). classroom peculiarly 'marketplace ideas.' future depends leaders trained wide exposure robust exchange discovers truth 'out multitude tongues, (rather) authoritative selection." 25 these cases supervised ordained discussion takes place classroom. principal use dedicated accommodate prescribed hours types activities. Among activities personal intercommunication among students.6 inevitable process attending school; educational process. A therefore, embrace merely hours. When cafeteria, playing field, campus authorized hours, express opinions, subjects conflict Vietnam, interfer(ing) school' colliding f others. whether stems time, place, behavior—materially disrupts classwork invasion others immunized guarantee speech. Blackwell Issaquena County Education, 1966). 26 Under Constitution, given circumscribed exists fact. Freedom truly exist exercised benevolent provided safe haven crackpots. Congress (and States) abridge provision means what says. properly read permit speech-connected carefully restricted circumstances. confine permissible telephone booth four corners pamphlet, 27 If conflict, anywhere property except exercise, obvious violate students, justified students' materially disrupt Hammond Carolina College, 272 947 (D.C.S.C.1967) (orderly protest college campus); Dickey Alabama 273 613 (D.C.M.D.Ala.1967) (expulsion editor newspaper). 'witness armbands,' less offensive constitution's guarantees. 28 discussed, demonstrate facts reasonably led forecast disruption disturbances disorders premises fact occurred. went about rounds Their deviation consisted sleeve band cloth, two inches wide. disapproval advocacy truce, make known, and, example, influence adopt neither interrupted nor intrude affairs lives outside disorder. circumstances, deny form 29 relief should granted, being matter lower courts determine. reverse further proceedings opinion. Reversed remanded. 31 STEWART, concurring. 32 I agree much said judgment share uncritical assumption that, aside, co-extensive adults. Indeed, thought otherwise last Term Ginsberg York, 1274, 195. continue hold view case: '(A) permissibly determine precisely delineated areas, child—like someone captive audience—is full capacity choice presupposition guarantees.' Id., 649—650, 1285—1286 result.) Prince Massachusetts, 321 158, 64 438, 645. 33 WHITE, 34 While join deem note, first, continues recognize distinction communicating words sufficiently impinges interest; second, subscribe everything 748 1966), relied before us. 35 BLACK, dissenting. 36 ushers new era power pupils elected 'officials supported * *' ultimate effect transferred Supreme Court.1 brought petition certiorari urging Amendments protect way 'from kindergarten Here 'political expression' asserted classes mourning death soldiers war against. Ordered refrain vested so, apparently system's obey order. One defying pupil Paul second grade; another, Hope old fifth third member family 13, eighth fourth same 11th grade pupil. father, Methodist minister church, paid salary Friends Service Committee. Another defied insisted case. His mother Women's International League Peace Freedom. 37 relies following grounds unconstitutional below. First, concludes 'symbolic 'akin speech" therefore protected Amendments. Secondly, decides long normal functions 'unreasonably' Finally, arrogates itself, rather State's charged running schools, disciplinary regulations 'reasonable.' 38 Assuming correct conveying cf., e.g., Giboney Empire Storage & Ice Co., 336 490, 684, 834 (1949), crucial remaining questions whim platform speech—'symbolic' 'pure'—and allocate function deciding how pupils' day spent. believed Federal Government censor content never give speeches engage demonstrations pleased when pleases. already rejected notion. 554, (1965), clearly stated assembly 'do mean everyone bbliefs address time.' 39 shouted, used profane language, violent manner, detailed testimony them comments, warnings poking fun them, warning older football player other, nonprotesting better mathematics lesson practically 'wrecked' chiefly disputes her 'demonstration.' causal reading divert minds regular lessons, talk, 'self-conscious' obscene boisterous loud perhaps justifies 'disrupt' classwork, think overwhelmingly exactly foresaw would, took off diverted thoughts emotional subject war. And repeat time state-supported kindergartens, grammar defy flout orders keep own schoolwork, beginning revolutionary permissiveness country fostered judiciary. logical step, me, laws bar voting, boards education.2 40 violated 971. Holding i Amendments, 'reasonable' hence constitutional. line 'reasonableness' saw test 'due process' violation. Two today heavily striking down reasonableness, written McReynolds; Holmes, opposed reasonableness test, dissented holdings Sutherland. prevailed season. President Franklin Roosevelt's well-known fight. proposed legislation pass, fight left dead battlefield, Ferguson Skrupa, 726, 729, 730, 1028, 1030—1031, 93, thorough review cases, conclude 1963: 41 'There strike unreasonable, unwise incompatible economic social philosophy. doctrine Lochner (Lochner 198 45, 539, 49 937), Coppage (Coppage Kansas, 236 240, 59 441), Adkins (Adkins Children's Hospital, 261 525, 394, 785), Burns (Jay Baking Co. Bryan, 264 504, 44 412, 813), cases—that due authorizes believe legislature acted unwisely—has since discarded.' totally repudiated reasonableness-due judges belief 'shock conscience' 'unreasonable,' 'arbitrary,' 'irrational,' 'contrary 'decency," flexible term precise bound-aries. many times my concept gives law like. majority today, agreeing Brother FORTAS, resurrecting change plainly, unequivocally, forthrightly benefit bench bar. sad country, believe, present-day returns concept. Other cited not, implied, doctrine. 1179, 1628, rejecting applicable forbade compel little schoolchildren flag religious scruples so.3 Neither 1093; 1117; 697; related all, embraced McReynolds' test; Thornhill, Edwards, vagueness statutes scrutiny unconstitutional. 471, 149, 'compare,' indicating, suppose, tha longer law, rested slightest extent 'reasonableness-due process-McReynolds' test. deny, 'unmistakable years' 'students' 'teachers' 'schoolhouse gate' 'freedom expression.' that. makes all; 'unreasonable' Nebraska barring German reached grade. Holmes Sutherland, do, unreasonable Latin Greek fact, invalidating legal jargon 'shocked conscience,' 'offended sense justice, or' concepts English-speaking world,' sometimes said. See, e.g. Rochin 342 165, 72 205, 96 Irvine 347 128, 74 381, 98 561. kindergarten, school, carries him complete anti-Catholic anti-Semite religion Catholic church Jewish synagogue. Nor carry Senate House, court, go places contrary speak myth say pleases, opposite. 471; 149. 46 view, state-controlled hired there. intimated certainly hire selected curriculum. expense broadcast educate inform public. original idea yet abandoned worthless date, point experience wisdom enabled elders. Nation outworn old-fashioned slogan 'children seen heard,' may, hope, permitted harbor taxpayers send premise age learn, teach. 47 true whole spoken McKenna Waugh Mississippi University 237 596—597, 720, 723, 1131. passed peaceably assembling fraternities providing joined expelled appear surface run afoul Amendment's clause. attacked privileges immunities clause deprivation liberty, fraternity moral, taught inspired study harder 'fervid' pleas fraternities' advocates unanimously arguments. paragraph relevance us today: 48 'It complainant belongs moral force. denied. membership remembered established state, enactment statute induced societies divided attention distracted singleness desired institutions. entertain conjectures annul disputable considerations necessity.' (Emphasis supplied.) foregoing sustained curtail peaceable assembly. curtailing States' Iowa's Mississippi's university, operated opportunity talk politics 'symbolic' And, pointed before, amply 'distracted (here Iowa) institutions.' accord Iowa allowed accorded protests distracting assigned work, know, told, disrupted issues have. Of course people, concentrate lesser ostentatiously displayed presence call wounded war, friends neighbors. was, distract very sit Change life tried worth holding. undoubtedly contributed giving tranquility o making law-abiding people. Uncontrolled uncontrollable enemy domestic peace. close eyes country's greatest problems crimes committed youth, too age. parental integral good citizens—to citizens. small number crisply summarily designed want learn so. prophet son know indeed ready, able, willing orders. unfortunate groups land loose, conducting break-ins, sit-ins, lie-ins, smash-ins. Many groups, familiar newspapers watch television news programs, rioting, seizures, destruction. picketed force cross picket lines violently earnest frightened pickets get. confident far operate systems parents, teachers, officials. answer points demands attend pressures. Turned loose lawsuits damages injunctions here, nothing wishful thinking imagine young, immature soon collect taxes pupils. judgment, whims caprices loudest-mouthed, maybe brightest, I, one, am fully persuaded wise enough, expert help Washington, 23,390 systems4 States. wish, disclaim compels surrender dissent. HARLAN, 52 discharge responsibilities exempt respecting association. At reluctant disagreement myself proposition widest maintaining To translate workable rule, this, cast complaining burden measure motivated legitimate concerns—for while permitting dominant 53 Finding impugns faith respondents promulgating regulation, affirm Burnside, ordered enjoined enforcing buttons.' instructive (1966), panel opposite facts. enjoin enforcement harassed cre ted Hamilton Regents 293 245, 55 197, 79 343 (1934), broad attach conditions attendance university require individuals convictions. involved dismissal denomination grant refusal military training. Narrowly viewed, turns conclusion requiring 'science' conscience. taken establishing enforce learning, however violative L Ed. Dixon 294 150 1961); Knight 200 174 (D.C.M.D.Tenn.1961); (D.C.M.D.Ala.1967). Note, Unconstitutional Conditions, Harv.L.Rev. 1595 Academic Freedom, 1045 suggestions report these: 'A former killed Viet Nam. Some still felt demonstration existed, evolve difficult control.' 'Students heard arm bands colors prevailed.' Moreover, trial indicates armbands; directed 'the demonstration' itself. simply demonstrations,' 'didn't handling things, handled ballot box halls found authorities, influenced '(t)he Nam therein major time. herein promulgated, debate become vehement localities. march recently D.C. wave draft card burning incidents protesting swept country. publicized pending Both supporting opposing quite vocal views.' F.Supp., 972—973. principals' meeting, director secondary informed publication article. reported 'we friendly conversation, although feel convinced one.' (D.C.S.C.1967), Hemphill involving 300 practices. hospital jail enclosure. dedication uses imply persons gauged purely private property. presented single question: 'Whether decorum.' Associated Press appeared Washington Evening Star, January 11, 1969, p. A—2, col. 1: 'BELLINGHAM, Mass. (AP)—Todd R. Hennessy, nominating papers town park commissioner March election. "I see illegal youth's seeking elective office,' Lee Ambler, counsel. 'But can't overlook possibility contract entered void juvenile.' 'Todd Mount St. Charles Academy, top scholastic record.' Cantwell Connecticut, 296, 303—304, 900, 903, 1213 (1940), declares establishment thereof. rendered legislatures states incompetent enact laws. inhibition double aspect. forestalls compulsion acceptance creed practice worship. conscience adhere organization worship choose law. safeguards chosen religion. Thus embraces concepts,—freedom act. first but, nature be. Conduct remains society.' Statistical Abstract (1968), Table 578, 406.

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