Document: 407 U.S. 197 92 S.Ct. 1842 32 L.Ed.2d 653 John Thomas FLOWERv.UNITED STATES. No. 71—1180. June 12, 1972. PER CURIAM. 1 Petition Flower, a regional 'Peace Education Secretary' of the American Friends Service Committee and civilian, was arrested by military police while quietly distributing leaflets on New Braunfels Avenue at point within limits Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. In an ensuing prosecution before United States District Court for Western Texas charges violating 18 U.S.C. § 1382 ('Whoever reenters or is found (within post) after having been removed therefrom ordered not to reenter any officer person in command charge thereof—Shall be fined more than $500 imprisoned six months, both'), it established that petitioner had previously barred from post order deputy commander because alleged participation attempt distribute 'unauthorized' leaflets. The 'is valid law' validly applied. It sentenced months prison. A divided panel Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed. 452 F.2d 80 (CA5 1972). 2 We reverse. Whatever power authorities may have restrict general access facility, see Cafeteria & Restaurant Workers etc. v. McElroy, 367 886, 81 1743, 6 1230 (1961), here fort chose exclude public street where arrested. As Judge Simpson, dissenting, noted below: 3 'There no sentry guard either entrance anywhere along route. Traffic flows through this other streets 24 hours day. traffic count conducted January 22, 1968, Director Transportation city shows daily (24-hour) vehicular 15,110 south Grayson Street (the place enters boundary) 17,740 vehicles north point. important artery used freely buses, taxi cabs transportation facilities as well private vehicles, its sidewalks are extensively all day civilians personnel. Houston open post; street, Avenue, completely street.' F.2d, 90. 4 Under such circumstances has abandoned claim special interests who walks, talks, distributes avenue. base commandant can off he could leafleteer street. Cf. Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 58 s.Ct. 666, 82 L.Ed. 949 (1938), Schneider State, 308 147, 60 146, 84 155 (1939). '(S)treets natural proper places dissemination information opinion,' U.S., 163, 151. '(O)ne rightfully which state left carries with him there elsewhere constitutional right express his views orderly fashion.' Jamison Texas, 318 413, 416, 63 669, 672, 87 869 (1943). 5 First Amendment protects application under conditions like those case. Accordingly, without need set matter further argument, we grant petition writ certiorari reverse conviction. Reversed remanded. 7 Mr. Justice BLACKMUN dissents, would hear argument merits. 8 REHNQUIST, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 9 result, if reasoning, Court's impressionistic summary reversal case clear: benefit briefs oral declares unconstitutional 1382, statute enacted give commanders posts authority thought necessary Congress area notice. 10 Because permitted civilian pedestrian Houston,* holds 'abandoned' interest Obviously cannot referring subjective intent commander, since gave due notice debarment base, bringing evinces rather strong part petitioner's 'leafleting' activities. If means say once portion opened up unregulated automatically follows acquires status square town, mere statement proposition—which contained opinion self-demonstrating. Since does hold, appear record Flower treated differently 'leafleteers,' holding deal possible denial equal protection. thus concerns only leafleteers go pedestrians granted free access. 11 Adderley Florida, 385 39, 242, 17 149 (1966), suggests draw reasonable distinctions, based purpose buildings grounds used, according exercise freedoms grounds. Simply some activities individuals allowed government property require abandonment otherwise allowable restrictions use. Indeed, generally recognized demonstrations courthouse prohibited protect judicial function. See Cox Louisiana, 379 559, 562, 85 476, 479, 13 487 (1965). also Stat. 617, 6, 40 13k (prohibiting surrounding Court). Similarly, unique requirements morale security necessitate control over certain persons even normal flow tolerated. 12 leaves Hobson's choice. He close arteries traversing post, thereby rendering subject intended have, but causing substantial inconvenience residents Bexar County presently use these arteries. Or, continue accommodate convenience residents, cost surrendering conferred upon commands. An additional problem, devotes attention whatever, question whether should challenge validity commander's original defending criminal 1382. Solicitor General, opposing certiorari, contends separate proceeding Court, relying Kiiskila Nichols, 433 745 (CA7 1970), Dash Commanding 429 427 (CA4 1970). determining sub silentio exhaustion remedies required, substantially dilutes effectiveness sanction deliberately placed behind debarment. accomplishes dilution way vindication rights. By requiring proceed manner first litigate infirmity order, assure forum assertion claims preserving availability relatively against one violated whose contested. 14 While full merits might persuade me result required Constitution, present certainly done so. I therefore dissent reversal. * From consisting largely rejected offers proof, concludes 'open' post. 'completely open' presumably whole. difficulty stage knowing how reaches factual conclusions, indeed what exactly varying degrees 'openness' meant connote, my disagreement limited aspect

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