Document: 361 U.S. 516 80 S.Ct. 412 4 L.Ed.2d 480 Daisy BATES et al., Petitioners,v.CITY OF LITTLE ROCK al. No. 41. Argued Nov. 18, 1959. Decided Feb. 23, 1960. Mr. Robert L. Carter, for petitioners. Joseph C. Kemp, Little Rock, Ark., respondent, City of rock. No appearance North Rock. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion Court. 1 Each petitioners has been convicted violating an identical ordinance Arkansas municipality by refusing a demand to furnish city officials with list names members local branch National Association Advancement Colored People. The question decision is whether these convictions can stand under Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment United States Constitution. 2 Municipalities in are authorized State levy license tax on any person, firm, individual, or corporation engaging 'trade, business, profession, vocation calling' within their corporate limits.1 Pursuant this authority, Rock and have some years imposed annual taxes broad variety businesses, occupations, professions.2 Charitable organizations which engage activities affected relieved from paying taxes. 3 In 1957 two cities added amendments occupation ordinances. These require that organization operating must supply Clerk, upon request specified time, (1) official name organization; (2) its headquarters regular meeting place; (3) officers, agents, servants, employees, representatives, salaries; (4) purpose (5) statement as dues, assessments, contributions paid, whom when together reflecting disposition funds total net income; (6) affidavit stating subordinate parent organization, if so, latter's name. ordinances expressly provide all information furnished shall be public subject inspection interested party at reasonable business hours.3 Petitioner Bates was custodian records People petitioner Williams branch. supplied municipalities required ordinances, except demanded § 2E each would disclosure organizations' contributors. Instead furnishing detailed breakdown section ordinance, wrote Clerk follows: 'E. financial 5 January 1, December 4, 1957. Total receipts membership 6 contributors $252.00. expenditures......... $183.60 7 (to Office) Secretarial help.............. 5.00 Stationery, stamps, etc....... 3.00 Total..................... $191.60 On Hand...................... 60.40 'F. I am attaching my president indicating we Branch People, New York Corporation. 'We cannot give you respect addresses our may lead ascertainment such information. We base refusal anti-NAACP climate state. It good faith belief might harassment, economic reprisals, even bodily harm. Moreover, aside possibility, advised counsel, do so believe no right Constitution laws States, assert behalf contribute NAACP seek aegis accomplish aims purposes herein described free restraints interference state officials. addition participate NAACP, anonymously, recognized basic every American citizen since founding country. * *' A substantially written submitted city. After further submit her organization,4 tried, convicted, fined violation respective municipality. At trial evidence offered show many former had declined renew because existence question.5 Similar received trial,6 well those who publicly identified community subjected harassment threats harm.7 appeal cases were consolidated Supreme Court Arkansas, and, justices dissenting, upheld. 229 Ark. 819, 319 S.W.2d 37, 43. court concluded compulsory lists circumstances 'not unconstitutional invasion freedoms guaranteed but 'a mere incident permissible legal result.'8 Because significant constitutional involved, granted certiorari. 359 988, 79 1118, 977. Like freedom speech press, peaceable assembly considered Framers lie foundation government based consent informed citizenry—a dedicated establishment justice preservation liberty. U.S.Const., Amend. I. And it now beyond dispute association advancing ideas airing grievances protected States. De Jonge v. Oregon, 299 353, 364, 57 255, 259, 81 L.Ed. 278; N.A.A.C.P. Alabama, 357 449, 460, 78 1163, 1170, 1488. Freedoms not only against heavy-handed frontal attack, also being stifled more subtle governmental interference. Grosjean Press Co., 297 233, 56 444, 660; Murdock Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 105, 63 870, 87 1292; Communications Ass'n, C.I.O. Douds, 339 382, 402, 70 674, 685, 94 925; supra; Smith California, 147, 215, 205. ,'it hardly novel perception compelled affiliation groups engaged advocacy constitute (an) effective restraint association. This vital relationship between associate privacy one's associations. Inviolability group indispensable association, particularly where espouses dissident beliefs.' v page 462, 1171. record sufficiently appears branches work members.9 There substantial uncontroverted identification persons followed fear hostility reprisals follow discouraged new joining induced withdraw. repressive effect, while part result private attitudes presures, brought bear after exercise power threatened force members' names. 463, 1172. Thus, threat encroachment important traditional aspects individual neither speculative nor remote. Decision case finally turn, therefore, instrumentalities demonstrated cogent interest obtaining making justify abridgment associational disclosures will effect. Where there personal liberty, prevail showing subordinating compelling. See Jacobson Massachusetts, 197 11, 25 358, 49 643; Schneider Jersey, 308 60 S.ct. 146, 84 155; Cox Hampshire, 312 569, 574, 61 762, 765, 85 1049; Prince 321 158, 64 438, 88 645; Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 69 448, 93 513. questioned rely fundamental one. ultimate function than tax. James Dravo Contracting 302 134, 150, 58 208, 216, 82 155. Nor doubted proper efficient essential sometimes entail possibility freedom. Kahriger, 345 22, 73 510, 97 754; Hubbard Mellon, 55 App.D.C. 341, F.2d 764. adjunct impose occupational enacted legislation here question.10 But action does automatically become reasonably related achievement legitimate assertion preamble ordinance. When shown threatens significantly impinge constitutionally becomes duty determine bears asserted justification. find relevant correlation publication squarely aimed reaching commercial, professional, occupations communities. not, matter law be, earnings income, nature enterprise conducted. Inquiry communities thus appear entirely enforcement Such inquiry addressed answered affiliate national seeking secure Negroes rights Our best quoting Articles Incorporation Organization set forth as: "* voluntarily promote equality eradicate caste race prejudice among citizens States; advance colored citizens; them impartial suffrage; increase opportunities securing courts, education children, employment according ability, complete before law. To ascertain publish facts bearing subjects take lawful thereon; kind things lawfully done organized advancement objects.' 'The hereinabove referred file office Secretary Arkansas. accord aims, (this) Branch, chartered organized, effectuate principles (this municipality).' suggested activity described, conducted profit, fall classifications payable. oral argument counsel unable relate attach.11 nothing indicate claim ever either organization. If exemption grants charitable endeavors, specific sources expenditures inquiry. sought, claimed, granted—and positive contrary. sum, failure required, profit; payment tax; municipalities, alleged nonprofit character other reason. conclude failed demonstrate controlling justification deterrence cause. punished produce could require. judgments stand. Reversed. BLACK DOUGLAS, concurring. concur judgment think applied violate First times held made applicable Amendment, illustration Jones Opelika, 316 584, 600, 62 1231, 1240, 86 1691, dissenting adopted 103, 890, 1290; 108, 872, Kingsley Intern. Pictures Corp. Regents, 360 684, 1362, 1512. see cited Speiser Randall, 513, 529, 530, 1332, 1343, pages 1352, 1353, 1460 (concurring opinion). believe, indicated Rumely, 41, 48, 56, 543, 547, 550, 770 opinion), directly restrains suppression impairment through humiliation, exposure government. One rights, assembly, includes course association; entitled less protection 1488, 363, 278, hold. people irrespective race, color, politics, religion. That is, us, essence present Ark.stat. 1947, 19—4601. Ord. 7444. 1786. amended numerous adding various professions licensed, changing rates imposed. pertinent provisions 'Whereas, found determined certain claiming immunity terms (the ordinance), governing licenses levied privilege doing city, premise benevolent, charitable, mutual benefit, fraternal non-profit, subterfuges businesses operated profit ordinance; 'Now, Therefore, Be Ordained Council *.: 'Section 1. word 'organization' used means individuals, incorporated unincorporated. 2. Any functioning including limited civic, fraternal, political, legal, medical, trade, Mayor, Alderman, Member Board Directors, Collector, Attorney, following 15 days submitted: 'A. 'B. office, place usual 'C. employees representatives salaries paid them. 'D. fees, assessments and/or date thereof, sums, income An officiating officer 3. cumulative heretofore passed reference collection thereof. 4. All obtained pursuant deemed hours. 5. declared void affect remaining sections end subsections hereof severable. 6. person guilty misdemeanor, conviction thereof *.' Section explicitly submission lists, but, rather, 'dues effect language clear supplemental Williams: 'Dear Madam: 'At Chamber 9, 1957, instructed officers NAACP. 'This portion questionaire did above later requested original 3, 1957.' (In fact, already accordance 2C ordinance.) For example, testified: 'Well, say like this—for past five collecting, guess, 150 200 year—just renewals same people. year, guess lost 100 went back they said, wait what happens Bennett Ordinance." witness afraid join, join people—they don't want exposed lose jobs. They intimidated join. wait. can't It'. their—because somebody, publicized, then jobs what-not.' able rest night day quite while, phone number changed call we—they out second way called me hours over telephone get trying one, course. tell talking throwed stones home. got a—I letter threatening life threaten telephone. way.' 8 construed requiring 'of list.' 826, 9 challenge petitioners' raise objections defenses available organizations, members. Cf. 458 459, 1183, 1169—1170. 10 note supra. 11 'catch-all' provision imposes '(a)ny selling kinds goods, wares, merchandise, raw materials finished products, both, regularly established maintained measured 'the gross value average stock inventory preceding year,' minimum $25. conceded inapplicable. brief filed

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