Document: 379 U.S. 536 85 S.Ct. 453 13 L.Ed.2d 471 B. Elton COX, Appellant,v.STATE OF LOUISIANA. No. 24. Argued Oct. 21, 1964. Decided Jan. 18, 1965. [Syllabus from pages 536-537 intentionally omitted] Carl Rachlin, New York City, for appellant. Ralph L. Roy, Baton Rouge, La., appellee. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellant, Reverend Cox, leader a civil rights demonstration, was arrested and charged with four offenses under Louisiana law—criminal conspiracy, disturbing peace, obstructing public passages picketing before courthouse. In consolidated trial judge without jury, on same set facts, he acquitted criminal conspiracy but convicted other three offenses. He sentenced to serve months in jail pay $200 fine five $500 passages, one year $5,000 The sentences were cumulative. 2 accordance procedure Supreme Court reviewed "disturbing peace" "obstructing passages" convictions certiorari "courthouse picketing" conviction appeal. court, two judgments, affirmed all convictions. 244 La. 1087, 156 So.2d 448; 245 303, 158 172. Appellant filed separate appeals this these judgments contending that statutes which unconstitutional their face as applied. We noted probable jurisdiction both appeals, 377 921, 84 1219, 1222, 12 214. This case, 24, involves peace 49, 476 concerns I. 3 Facts. 4 On December 14, 1961, 23 students Southern University, Negro college, downtown Louisiana, stores maintained segregated lunch counters. picketing, urging boycott those stores, part general protest movement against racial segregation, directed by local chapter Congress Racial Equality, organization. appellant, an ordained Congregational minister, Field Secretary CORE, advisor movement. evening appellant Ronnie Moore, student president CORE chapter, spoke at mass meeting college. resolved demonstrate next day front courthouse segregation arrest imprisonment picketers who being held parish located upper floor building. 5 morning about 2,000 left campus, approximately miles Rouge. Most them had walk into city since drivers busses arrested. Moore also entrance campus while parked car equipped loudspeaker, violation antinoise statute. Because immediately taken off vice already Cox felt it his duty take over demonstration see carried out planned. quickly drove "to pick up leadership keep things orderly." 6 When arrived, 1,500 assembling site old State Capitol building, one-half blocks walked down cautioning side sidewalk getting ready march circled block file or abreast occupying half sidewalk. police learned proposed night news media sources. Captain Font City Police Department Chief Kling Sheriff's office, high-ranking subordinate officials, approached group northeast corner capitol grounds. identified himself group's leader, and, according Kling, explained demonstrating "the illegal some people jail." version witnesses throughout they came not just * [also] evil discrimination." asked disband "take back whence came." did acquiesce request told officers would courthouse, say prayers, sing hymns, conduct peaceful program protest. officer repeated disband, again refused. then returned order report radio Sheriff immediate vicinity; going on, students, led began toward 7 They orderly file, abreast, east, stopping way red traffic light. center joined another students. augmented now totaling 2,0001 turned proceeded south, coming halt opposite 8 As still head group, vicinity stopped Inspector Trigg brought Wingate White, standing middle St. Louis Street. inquired purpose demonstration. reading prepared paper, outlined stating include singing Star Spangled Banner "freedom song," recitation Lord's Prayer Pledge Allegiance, short speech. White testified "he must confine" west street." added, "This, course, not—I didn't mean import I giving him any permission do it, presented situation accomplished, make decision." officials agreed permit meeting. James Erwin, director station WIBR, witness State, present overheard conversation. "My understanding be allowed if stayed street within recognized time,"2 "agreed to" White.3 9 sidewalk, across 101 feet its steps. lined deep spread almost entire length block. obstruct street. It close noon time, small crowd 100 300 curious white people, mostly personnel, gathered east steps, demonstrators. Seventy-five eighty policemen, including state patrolmen members staff, well fire department truck stationed between groups. Rain fell 10 Several took beneath coats picket signs similar been used before. These bore legends such "Don't buy discrimination Christmas," "Sacrifice Christ, don't buy," named proclaimed "unfair." sang "God Bless America," pledged allegiance flag, prayed briefly, "We Shall Overcome." locked cells building sight demonstrators, responded themselves singing; turn greeted cheers applause gave speech, described State's follows: 11 "He said effect commit violence,4 anyone spit them, person it."5 said: "All right. It's time. Let's go eat. There are twelve we protesting. A number have twenty counters; accept your money nineteen. won't twentieth counter. is act discrimination. open public. You taxes Federal Government you live here State."6 apparent reaction last remarks, there what "muttering" "grumbling" onlookers.7 14 Sheriff, deeming, testified, Cox's appeal sit counters "inflammatory," power microphone said, "Now, demonstrate. Up until has more less peaceful, doing direct law, disturbance got broken immediately." testimony happened disputed. Some "don't move"; others stated made "gesture defiance." clear record, however, demonstrators break Two deputies started "You heard now, said." put hands shoulders "as though shove away." 15 Almost thereafter—within time estimated variously minutes—one policemen exploded tear gas shell crowd. followed several shells. dispersed, running towards area; tried calm ran leave. 16 No Negroes participating day. only young man, "because causing disturbance." above described. II. Breach Peace Conviction. 17 violating statute, provides: 18 "Whoever intent provoke breach circumstances may occasioned thereby crowds congregates upon highway, place fails refuses disperse move when ordered so law enforcement municipality, parish, acts committed, authorized shall guilty peace." LSA-Rev.Stat. § 14:103.1 (Cum.Supp.1962). 19 us facts strikingly Edwards v. South Carolina, 372 229, 83 680, 697, Fields 375 44, 149, 107, infringed appellant's free speech assembly convicting Edwards, find necessary pass contention complete absence evidence deprived liberty due process law. Cf. Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654. hold constitutionally punish statute engaging type record reveals, authoritatively interpreted unconstitutionally broad scope. 20 courts constituted "we decision binding extent," supra, U.S., 235, S.Ct., 683; our independent examination required make,8 shows no right prohibit peace. 21 college wished segregation" fellow assembled peaceably marched where sang, listened reveals agreement "very controlled," end perfectly "orderly." Clemmons crowd's activities "objectionable" became objectionable, himself, concluding urged uptown sole aspect objected "[t]he inflammatory manner [Cox] addressed town, places list, feed you, hour." Yet obviously deprive protected character Constitution assembly. See supra; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, L.Ed. 1213; Thornhill Alabama, 88, 736, 1093; Garner 368 157, 185, 82 248, 263, 207 (concurring Harlan). 22 argues, orderly, loud cheering clapping response converted riotous one.9 does support assertion. true fellows custody, cheered applauded. However, outdoor key loud, disorderly. is, moreover, indication mood ever hostile, aggressive, unfriendly. Our conclusion beginning dispersal orderly10 confirmed film events television photographer, offered exhibit. viewed film, undoubtedly clapped, well-behaved throughout. My Brother BLACK, concurring dissenting post, agrees "that show boisterous violent indecent language " Post, p. 471. seem differ significantly activity Edwards,11 loudly "while stamping hands." 233, 682.12 students' cheering, fact relied basis judge, who, rather, reason "[i]t inherently dangerous bring colored predominantly business district Rouge congregate songs me defendant national anthem carrying lines 'black together' urge descend served. That inherent so." 24 Finally, contends should sustained because fear expressed "violence erupt" virtually undisputed, threatened violence. violence seems based citizens looking One hand" Street "were knots groups muttering words, seemed little bit agitated." violent, "was rumblings." Others atmosphere "tense" "mutterings," "grumbling," "jeering" group. indication, member And separated "seventy-five eighty" armed "every available shift Police," "Sheriff's Office full complement," "additional help along "fire Fire Department." could handled 25 situation, like "a far cry Feiner [People of] York, 340 315, 71 95 295." 236, 684. Nor "fighting words." Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 62 766, 86 1031. Here again, "showed than opinions [the students] expressing sufficiently opposed views majority community attract necessitate protection." 237, Conceding so, "compelling answer constitutional denied simply hostility assertion exercise." Watson Memphis, 373 526, 535, 1314, 1320, 529. 26 additional why cannot sustained. issue Court, vague overly statutory crime consists elements: (1) congregating "with occasioned," (2) refusal after having officer. While second offense narrow specific, first element not. case defined term "breach agitate, arouse repose, molest, interrupt, hinder, disquiet." 1105, So.2d, 455. defendants common-law similarly Carolina Both definitions allow persons punished merely peacefully unpopular views. Yet, "function system government invite dispute. indeed best high induces condition unrest, creates dissatisfaction conditions are, even stirs anger. Speech often provocative challenging. strike prejudices preconceptions profound unsettling effects presses acceptance idea. freedom censorship punishment *. room restrictive view. For alternative lead standardization ideas either legislatures, courts, dominant political groups." Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 4-5, 69 894, 93 1131. stand 'if anger, invites dispute, brings disturbance, molests inhabitants enjoyment quiet arousing alarm.' Id., 3, 895. least likely innocent charge Terminiello. Therefore, reversed sweeps scope Maintenance opportunity discussion basic tenet democracy. Hughes Stromberg People California, 283 359, 369, 51 532, 536, 75 1117: "A face, construed, indefinite fair use repugnant guaranty contained Fourteenth Amendment." 27 reasons freedoms assembly, secured First Amendment, applied States stand. III. 28 THE OBSTRUCTING PUBLIC PASSAGES CONVICTION. 29 validity 14:100.1 (Cum.Supp.1962), 30 "Obstructing Public Passages 31 "No wilfully free, convenient normal street, bridge, alley, road, passageway, entrance, corridor passage structure, watercraft ferry, impeding, hindering, stifling, retarding restraining thereon therein. 32 "Providing however nothing herein apply bona fide legitimate labor organization legal lawful concerted interest accomplishing securing favorable wage standards, hours employment working conditions." 33 leading "orderly," 1096, 451, 1094, 1106-1107, upholding thus construed assemblies specific obstruction traffic. doubt obstructed, thus, violated 34 infringement raises dealt many decisions, municipality regulate streets facilities assure safety convenience concomitant Lovell Griffin, 303 444, 58 666, 949; Hague CIO, 307 496, 59 954, 1423; Schneider Jersey, 308 147, 146, 155; 312 569, 61 762, 1049; Largent Texas, 318 418, 63 667, 87 873; Saia 334 558, 68 1148, 92 1574; Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 448, 513; Niemotko Maryland, 268, 325, 328, 267, 280; Kunz 290, 312, Poulos 345 395, 73 760, 97 1105. 35 From decisions certain principles emerge. fundamental democratic society, everyone beliefs express address guarantee implies existence organized society maintaining order, itself lost excesses anarchy. control travel example governmental responsibility insure order. restriction relation, designed promote all, susceptible abuses discriminatory application, disregarded attempted exercise which, circumstances, entitled protection. justified ignoring familiar light thought means social one, contrary regulations, insist Times Square rush hour form Governmental authorities cordon private agree listen exhortations. 668; 574, 765; 160-161, 150; 306-307, 904-905; Giboney Empire Storage & Ice Co., 490, 684, 834; 405-408, 766-768; also, 683. 36 emphatically reject notion Amendments afford kind communicate patrolling, marching, highways, amendments pure cases cited 480. reaffirm statement 502, 691, "it never deemed abridgement press course initiated, evidenced, language, spoken, written, printed." 37 occasion consider constitutionality uniform, consistent, nondiscriminatory application forbidding access parades meetings.13 Although involved precludes parades,14 enforced authorities. clearly indicated meetings permitted traffic, provided prior approval obtained. oral argument counsel State. permitted, "arrangements officials." provides standards determination prohibit. administrative regulations subject called attention.15 appears completely uncontrolled discretion. 38 expressly demonstrations unbridled discretion officials. pervasive restraint practice effective permitting selective enforcement. long line makes "require wish disseminate consideration approval, may, not, disseminate[d] *." 164, 152. C.I.O., supra. 39 lodging official allows determine expressions view will sanctions device suppression communication permits censor. 562, 1150. Also allowing obvious danger equal protection laws. 272, 284, 327, 333; cf. Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 1064, 220. enable engage invidious among providing discretionary licensing or, equivalent extremely prohibitory 40 undisputed appropriate, limited discretion, properly drawn statutes, ordinances, concerning place, duration, vested "exercised 'uniformity method treatment each improper inappropriate considerations unfair discrimination' [and with] 'systematic, consistent treatment, reference highways *.' 576, 766. 41 But unfettered regulation unwarranted abridgment Amendment. follows, therefore, reversed. 42 discussed judgment 43 Reversed. Estimates size varied 3,800. thousand consensus figure accepted 1095, 451. varying versions take. seven minutes. minutes whole "permission" granted greater considered. few days before, participated "direct non-violent clinic" sponsored Mark's Church. objection cross-examination "Q. Did talk? "A. None whatever. If done trouble all. thing with. making sir? it." strongly words. Now, objectionable there? exact sequence unclear differently defense, themselves. reasonably certain, jail, onlookers claim involved, "remains record." Blackburn 361 205, n. 5, 274, 279, 242; Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 335, 66 1029, 1031, 90 1295; Fiske Kansas, 274 380, 385-386, 47 655, 656-657, 1108. area Amendment areas involving rights, avoid responsibilities ourselves 'completely bound court essential federal right, else frustrated distorted finding.' Haynes Washington, 503, 515-516, 1336, 1344, Stein 346 156, 181, 1077, 1091, 1522. shouting different witnesses, most extravagant descriptions following: jumbled roar football game," "loud spontaneous screaming great hullabaloo," outburst," cheer "conquest much wilder reaction, disorderly, loud," shout, roar," emotional "in jubilation exhortation." "became emotional" "tears flowed ladies' eyes." controlled basically G. Dupre Litton, attorney "I too large my opinion, particular generally Robert Durham, photographer WBRZ, witness, although "quiet peaceful," Was orderly? Yes, very controlled." hand, contrary: Erwin stated: point throwing gas? No, minor outburst sit-ins, occurred upstairs." Dumigan, officer, showed disorder "hollering latter surely sufficient, particularly conclude disorderly beyond Moreover, 1,000 Witnesses concluded conclusions, suggestion in, Rush Biossat, "didn't anything nature," "emotional upset," feeling air," "agitation"; thought, caused remarks "black together." "considerable stirring" "restiveness," electrifying." hear grumbling total hundred fifty, perhaps definite ill sprung up." afraid want G.L. Johnston, in. Vay Carpenter, Mary O'Brien, secretaries changed "tense." sit-in suggestion. testifying explosive gotten hand"; mere presence numbers." "explosive"; "how came, that, nowhere, coming, filling streets, sidewalks. prepared—we officers. can handle situations advised blocked, wasn't it. blocked added feared "bloodshed," "when requested move, move; conquest tone; displaying signs; deliberate agitation twenty-five around agitated prescribed manner." displayed "agitating." "from actions, figured try storm Courthouse get prisoners come protest." conclusions paraded courthouse; "violent" "they continued Courthouse, disrupts living here." objectionable" hour. Prior though, coats, signs. know what's next. coat. inflammatory, gestured, town business. trying Courthouse." reveal argued regulatory facilities, reserve rest relaxation citizenry. 98, 459 (opinion Jackson); 298, 317 (Mr. Jackson, dissenting). contrary, indicated, preserved assemblies. 963-964 Roberts); 293, 314; 283, 333 Frankfurter, concurring). generally, 403, 272-273, 327-328. With exception, picketing. exception points reaches restrictions expression. neither party, research disclosed ordinance Code, Tit. 11, 210 (1957), prohibits "parade[s] except issued chief Fields, irrelevant referred nor sustaining involved. apparently sets forth prohibit, problems arise parading text above; 452-453, 669; 518, 965; 559-560, 1149-1150.

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