Document: 384 U.S. 118 86 S.Ct. 1306 16 L.Ed.2d 409 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR the ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE et al., Petitioners,v.Haldred OVERSTREET. No. 505. Supreme Court of United States Argued March 29, 1966. April 27, 1966 Rehearing Denied June 6, See 981, 84 1857. Robert L. Carter, New York City, for petitioners. Submitted on brief by Hugh P. Futrell, Jr., Savannah, Ga., respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The writ certiorari is dismissed as imprivodently granted. 2 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, with whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN and FORTAS concur, dissenting. 3 In boy claimed that respondent, owner a market at which was employed, had accused him stealing merchandise thereafter slapped kicked him. truth this charge remains disputed. boy's mother, dissatisfied response local police, contacted Savannah Branch National Association Advancement Colored People. responded organizing campaign to withhold patronage from Pickets were established customers asked refrain shopping in market. Although record does not contain any evidence misconduct part Branch's members or officers, picketing apparently attracted substantial crowds. There incidents involving intimidation customers, blocking sidewalks, scattered violence. trial judge instructed jury it might hold responsible respondent's damages if found 'proximate cause' others.1 further should liable, also petitioner—the national NAACP—if be its 'agent.' held both petitioner liable. Damages totaling $85,793 assessed: figure includes $50,000 punitive damages. Georgia affirmed, 221 Ga. 16, 142 S.E.2d 816, we granted certiorari, limited question whether holding petitioner, organization, liable 'for acts performed without knowledge persons beyond control' denied rights secured Fourteenth Amendment. 382 937, 388, 15 348. 4 Respondent has suffered economic loss result conduct those who blocked his sidewalk threatened customers. I assume nothing Constitution bars recovery injuries individuals. Giboney v. Empire Storage & Ice Co., 336 490, 69 684, 93 L.Ed. 834. courts below these injuries, no questions aspect case are now before us. We have only whether, given liability Branch, NAACP, may loss—and imposed. 5 amended complaint alleged W.W. Law, an officer 'in using such tactics, acting services' 'as agent, employee, servant, within scope said agency, employment service.' That allegation one iota proof controlled, authorized, even knew activities. 6 Petitioner nonprofit corporation organized purpose promoting equality treatment Negro citizens.2 concededly affiliate organization. A portion dues collects forwarded national, branch automatically Members association can do attend annual convention they participate workshops discussions relating NAACP makes report activities NAACP. 7 That, all shows, full extent relations between Branch. power control effort past years exercise control. officers not, officers. did order demonstrations nor authorize them. affirmatively shows against respondent learn them until sent restraining served upon president. And suggests 'ratification'—even inaction over sustained period—of local's similar 8 standards court allowed 'agency' measured were, say least, unclear. could 'only represented agents, agents must themselves manner compatible purposes organization.' He then follows: 9 'Now People agent Savannah? Who agent? Was Law (the president)? * Is what does? Are so connected act other reason agency; their concerted expressed conspiracy? As sees it, you can't get agency conspiracy separated case. member take furthers conspiracy. You look see preponderates organizations. there bound *? Did through people right bind conspiracy?' (Emphasis added.) These instructions, defendants excepted assigned error appeal, gave little guidance circumstances would appropriate remarks considering petitioner's motion nonsuit are, respect, revealing: '(S)o far concerned, (is) effect (of Branch) corporation. words, just affiliated.' 10 To equate organization absence authorized ratified ultimately destroy it. political fragile enough adding additional threat destruction lawsuit. been slow recognize protection First Amendment subtle well obvious devices stifled. Bates City Little Rock, 361 516, 523, 80 412, 416, 480. Thus forced disclosure one's associations is, least compelling state interest, inconsistent Amendment's guaranty associational privacy. E.g., DeGregory Attorney General State Hampshire, 383 825, 1148; Gibson Florida Legislative Investigation Committee, 372 539, 543 546, 83 889, 892—894, 929; Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 81 247, 231; N.A.A.C.P. Alabama ex rel. Patterson, 357 449, 462—463, 78 1163, 1171—1172. Recognizing guilt philosophy alien traditions free society (see Schware Board Bar Examiners, 353 232, 245—246, 77 752, 759—760, 796) itself, civil criminal disabilities imposed joins among violent overthrow Government, unless individual knowing organization's illegal (Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216) specific intention purposes. Elfbrandt Russell, 11, 1238; Aptheker Secretary State, 378 500, 1659, 12 992. 11 present contains less association. comes form suits rather than direct governmental restraints consequence noted Times Co. Sullivan, 376 254, 265, 710, 718, 686. Today judgment more $80,000 fastened Juries hostile aims educational field, carefully confined meticulous instructions judicial supervision, deliver crushing verdicts stifle dissent views policies accepted majority. This thus carries us into territory principles law accommodated overriding federal precepts. chooses follow functions, most part, constitutional restraint; our system, each regulate principal, third parties according own fairness sound policy. But when policy thwarts interests Federal affords special protection, yield. For example, though customarily determines particular contract enforceable, notwithstanding applicable commercial enforce covenants restricting sale real property non-whites. Shelley Kraemer, 334 1, 68 836, 92 1161. While preserve public streets punish constituting 'breach peace' defined law, peaceful expression regardless label put punished. Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, 1213. Edwards South Carolina, 229, 680, 697. Questions legislative apportionment, primarily matters resolved compliance Equal Protection Clause. Reynolds Sims, 377 533, 1362, 506. same true voter registration, Harper Virginia Elections, 663, 1079. regulation practice specifically, rules regarding solicitation legal business—must yield favor join together common assert rights. Button, 371 415, 328, 405; Brotherhood Railroad Trainmen Bar, 1113, 89. 13 supra, rejected State's claim 'solicitation' business outside area freedoms protected 'a cannot foreclose mere labels.' U.S., 429, S.Ct., 336. So Terms 'affiliation' talismanic significance. context case, obscure promote analysis. answer wrongs committed system where freedom treasured. 14 threats organizations kind today face once great burden labor unions.3 Congress acted relieve enacting § Norris-LaGuardia Act: 'No participating interested dispute, shall unlawful members, except clear actual participation in, authorization of, acts, ratification after thereof.' 47 Stat. 71. Carpenters Joiners America States, 330 395, 67 775, 91 973. recently Mine Workers Gibbs, 715, 1130, international union tortious 'clear proof' 'participation, authorization, ratification' union. 17 course like statute here. Amendment, commands vigilance lest assures 'breathing space' (N.A.A.C.P. 433, 338) necessary survival, provides guidance. my view, forbids imposition account specifically sought general finding enough.4 discloses loose relationship independently controlled tortious. Nor conduct. himself stated shown, but weak link cannot, reasons stated, warrant sustained. 18 reverse judgment. 'I consider picket(ing). fact pickets incite activity organization(?); incited pickets, presence, placing proximate cause resulted.' 451—452, 1166—1167, 1488. Its certificate incorporation states principal objectives 'voluntarily eradicate caste race prejudice citizens States; advance interest colored citizens; secure impartial suffrage; increase opportunities securing justice courts, education children, ability, complete law.' Ibid. burdens felt trade movement Great Britain country. Webb, Sidney Beatrice, History Trade Unionism, 597 604 (1965 ed.); Cole, British Working-Class Movement 292—296 (1948). factors relied sustain fall short showing engage condemned below. It emphasized following points: (1) use name 'N.A.A.C.P.'; (2) petition president made objection; (3) shared certain objectives; (4) York; (5) conventions, counseled methods furthering efforts district workshops. addition, suggested relation, 'had option repudiate ratify act, (it was) required other. where, here, (it) never repudiated is) deemed affirmed it.' first notice York. By time, temporary effect. was, therefore, opportunity moderating influence branch. Compare expressly disavowed it; held, nonetheless, although some statements condemning violence 'our undoubtedly firmer.' Id., 742, 1147. Moreover, allegations filed shortly suit begun. demanding requirements believe met satisfied, incurred arising out collection dues. expect since paid collected behalf simple matter show authority activity. Perhaps possible involved case; advice counsel conventions. Whether meet course, determined meager

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