Document: 340 U.S. 268 71 S.Ct. 325 95 L.Ed. 267 NIEMOTKOv.STATE OF MARYLAND. KELLEY v. STATE Nos. 17, 18. Argued Oct. 1950. Decided Jan. 15, 1951. Mr. Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for appellants. Kenneth Proctor, Baltimore, Md., appellee. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellants are two members religious group known as Jehovah's Vitnesses. At invitation local coreligionists, they scheduled Bible talks in public park city Havre de Grace, Maryland. Although there is no ordinance prohibiting or regulating use this park, it has been custom organizations and individuals desiring to meetings celebrations various kinds obtain permits from Park Commissioner. In conformity with practice, requested permission Commissioner on four consecutive sundays June July, 1949. This was refused. 2 Having informed that an Elks' Flag Day ceremony first Sunday, applicants did not pursue their request particular day, but, instead, filed a written City Council following three Sundays. at suggestion Mayor, appearing under municipality right appeal action The held hearing which considered. attorney appeared. denied. 3 Because were awaiting decision application, took further steps second after denial request, proceeded hold meeting third Sunday. No sooner had appellant Niemotko opened commenced delivering his discourse, than police, who ordered by arrested him. fourth Kelley before he began lecture. 4 subsequently brought trial jury charge disorderly conduct Maryland statute. Flack's Md.Ann. Code, 1939 (1947 Cum.Supp.), art. 27, § 131. They convicted each fined $25 costs. Under rather unique procedure, judge law well facts. Md.Const., XV, 5; see below, A.2d 9, 11. means normally appellate review any question dependent sufficiency evidence. Relying rule, Court Appeals declined case its normal power, take certiorari, stating issues 'matters interest' made desirable review. Being presented substantial constitutional issues, we noted probable jurisdiction, being properly here 28 U.S.C. 1257(2), U.S.C.A. 1257(2). 5 cases whih claim rights Federal Constitution, bound conclusions lower courts, but will re-examine evidentiary basis those founded. See Feiner New York, 315, 303. A brief recital facts adduced suffice show why these convictions cannot stand. time arrest appellants, evidence disorder, threats violence riot. There indication appellants conducted themselves manner could be considered detrimental peace order. On contrary, positive testimony police himself beyond reproach. It quite apparent found must have based fact using without permit, although, indicated above, statute permit. 6 many times examined licensing systems bodies regulate parks places. Kunz People State 290, 312. also Saia 1948, 334 558, 68 1148, 92 1574; Hague C.I.O., 1939, 307 496, 59 954, 83 1423; Lovell Griffin, 1938, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949. condemned statutes ordinances required obtained officials prerequisite places, grounds license requirement constituted prior restraint freedom speech, press religion, and, absence narrowly drawn, reasonable definite standards follow, invalid. instant met park; all amorphous 'practice,' whereby authority grant Council. appear anywhere; drawn limitations; circumscribing absolute power; interest community served. clear said about invalidity such limitless discretion equally applicable here. 7 points up utmost clarity wisdom doctrine. For very possibility abuse, earlier decisions feared, occurred Indeed, rarely shows so clearly unwarranted discrimination refusal issue license. true application. But searched record vain discover valid refusal. fact, Mayor testified permit would probably granted if, hearing, started 'berate' only questions asked Witnesses pertained alleged salute flag, views Bible, other irrelevant unemcumbered parks. conclusion inescapable denied because Council's dislike disagreement views. equal protection laws, exercise freedoms speech religion protected First Fourteenth Amendments, firmer foundation whims personal opinions governing body. 8 Court, argued state should power exclude groups, such, case. whatever force contention possibly lost light within memory always issued Sunday-school picnics. We might point out attempt designate sanctuary quiet does defeat whose own created disturbance, position more slightly inconsistent, since, Sunday involved, suits Order Elks. 9 thus becomes lack license-issuing 'practice' renders contravention Amendment, completely arbitrary discriminatory protection. Inasmuch permits, was, turn, due unconstitutional defects discussed, fall. 10 Reversed. 11 BLACK concurs result. 12 FRANKFURTER, concurring 13 concern living some most delicate aspects. To smother differences emphasis nuance help wise development. When way result reached may important results hereafter reached, best respected individual expression opinion. 14 These present variations upon theme great importance. Legislatures, authorities, courts years grappled claims disseminate ideas places against effective government keep protect interests civilized community. special attempts communities meet problem different ways. will, I believe, analysis situations cross-lights one another. I. 15 1. 17 18.—Havre Maryland, sought solve tangled permitting commissioner council act censors. allowed meetings, including required, case, questioned representatives Witnesses, license, saluting Catholic Church, service armed forces, matters related order convenience park. supposed 'because (the) meeting.' Kelley, attempted speak, disturbing peace. disturbance want 16 2. No. 50.—New York set system control streets services. construed city's sanction Police revoke refuse street-preaching if person likely 'ridicule' 'denounce' religion. 1946, hearings Fourtn Deputy Commissioner, Kunz's revoked 'ridiculed' 'denounced' while speaking York's crowed centers, thought continue do so. 1947 1948 refused sole ground determination 1946. September Columbus Circle 3. 93.—Syracuse, relied substance enactment common-law offense breach Feiner, defendant, near intersection South McBride Harrison Streets Syracuse. He spoke box located parking between sidewalk street, sound amplifiers attached automobile. crowd 75 80 persons gathered around him, several pedestrians go into highway pass by. Two policemen observed meeting. course referred Syracuse 'champagnesipping bum,' President 'bum,' American Legion 'Nazi Gestapo agents.' excited Negroes rise arms. His audience included number Negroes. 18 One man get speaker off stand, himself. crowd, consisted both opposed supported speaker, restless. yet words arresting officer story accepted judge, 'stepped prevent resulting fight. After angry muttering pushing.' ignored requests stop speaking, arrested. II. 19 Adjustment inevitable conflict free persistent perplexing. bear mind can hope limits way. falls lot legislative administrative find practical solutions frame our decisions. now decisions, arrived ad hoc process adjudication, make cruise timber. 20 treating precise us—how reconcile allowing primary uses parks—we side apt mislead assist. Contempt aimed placing general limitation what written, bring additional factors equation. Cases like Near Minnesota, 283 697, 51 625, 1357; Grosjean Press Co., 297 233, 56 660, rooted historic experience regarding restraints publication. give recognition role democracy, consideration immediately pertinent. picketing logically relevant since usually involve, part, dissemination information enter economic social outside us. Hughes Superior California Contra Costa County, 339 460, 464—465, 70 718, 720, 721. 21 exclusively concerned restrictions divers forms answered problems varying greatly content difficulty. 22 easiest opposing communication keeping clean. scarcely justify handbills censoring contents. 949, requiring distribute pamphlets invalid where standard 'not limited ways regarded inconsistent maintenance involving conduct, molestation inhabitants, misuse littering streets.' page 451, 669, 1423, portion declared prohibited distribution pamphlets. Schneider Jersey, Town Irvington, 308 147, 60 146, 84 155, Jamison Texas, 318 413, 63 87 869, again municipal handbills. 23 cases, regulation solicitation issue. Here fraud criminals device homes. State, supra, chief found, discretion, canvasser good character canvassing project fraud. could, determinations concerning 'good character' 'project fraud' effect censorship. Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 900, 1213, conviction solicitation. official determine causes religious, 'censorship religion'. 305, 904, 1213. Again, Largent 418, 667, 873, mayor, deemed 'proper advisable', creating company town Government housing prohibit Witnesses. Marsh Alabama, 326 501, 66 276, 90 265; Tucker 517, 274, 274. Thomas Collins, 323 516, 65 89 430, labor registration organizers when invoked enjoin hall. protecting citizens through vocations insufficient support 24 Whether sale literature subjected nondiscriminatory taxes introduced another interest—the raise funds government. Jones Opelika, 319 103, 890, 1290, vacating 316 584, 62 1231, 86 1691, Murdock Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 105, 891, 1292, imposition tax itinerants improper. Follett McCormick, 321 573, 64 717, 88 938, went flat book agents resident selling books. 25 4. Martin Struthers, 141, 862, 1313, represents situation. An Ohio, forbade knocking door ringing doorbell residence deliver handbill. Prevention crime assuring privacy industrial worked night shifts, sleep during distributed behalf 26 5. contrast Prince Massachusetts, 158, 438, 645, application providing boy girl sell periodicals street constitutional. Claims immunity activities subordinated children. 27 6. Control speeches draws still considerations—protection travel recreation exist. (a) pioneer Davis 167 43, 731, 42 71, adopted reasoning below Holmes, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Davis, 162 Mass. 510, 39 N.E. 113, L.R.A. 712. Boston upheld mayor 'make address, discharge cannon firearm, expose goods, * *' grounds. finding directed intended 'a proper grounds.' 512, 113. 29 derive dicta over parks, however, discriminatory, rejected supra. ground, 'for purpose preventing riots, disturbances assemblage.' 302, 958 note left doubt 'instrument suppression national affairs'. 964, 1423. And construction given gave wide discretion. Casey, 121 N.J.L. 185, 866. holding subject regulation. arbitrarily suppress expression, matter cover purported act. 30 Cox Hampshire, 312 569, 61 762, 85 1049, United States Constitution deny localities devise appropriately confined. fee parades courts. 'considerations time, place conserve convenience', 'to expense incident administration licensed'. pages 575—576, 577, 765, 766, 1049. sustained even though tax, ranging nominal amount $300, determined 31 (b) involved considerations trucks. 1574, amplification devices prescribe applied passing truck small complaints noise resulted whom previously used speeches. Nevertheless, unconstitutional. Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 69 448, 449, 93 513, part operation emitting 'loud raucous' noises, ban upholding therefore clear, event leave intact. 32 (c) few occasions imposed resolved favor defendant reference Schenck States, 249 47, 52, 247, 249, 470, view inquiry whether, 'such menace render him liable common question.' 311, 906, 33 Chaplinsky 315 568, 768, 1031, enacted doctrine 'fighting words': 'No shall address offensive, derisive annoying word lawfully place, nor call offensive name *.' directly tending cause remark addressed. called policeman 'damned racketeer' Fascist' upheld. 34 7. noted, although private building place. Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 894, 895, 1131, abstract proposition law, unrelated overturned instructed 'breach peace' 'stirs anger, invites dispute, brings condition unrest, creates disturbance. apparently defined broad terms, certainly 35 multifarious expressed language looking directions. While emphasized importance 'free speech,' recognized speech' itself touchstone. unmindful interests, order, interference overbalancing consideration. More phrasing turned. 36 (1) What require speech? forbid proselyting argument merely disapprove speaker's patent faith maintain peace, assure availability purposes passenger vehicular traffic, indispensable ends modern life. 37 (2) method achieve consequence constrained barred? gives censor differs toto coelo safety like. assures circumstances net cast too broadly. 38 (3) mode regulated? affect not. calling names kind reasonably stir same reason. (4) Where regulated place? Not classifications—streets, buildings—are relevant. location size customary recreational, esthetic contemplative needs community; facilities, corner, readily available airing views, pertinent assessing limitations Amendment puts situation.1 III. 40 Due regard adjusted just canvassed affords guidance deciding 41 neither danger public, appears entered Rumors appeared decision, never materialized. groups allow privilege others unpopular, deeply so, forbidden Amendment. presents mindful enormous difficulties confronting charged task enabling polyglot millions live tolerance. Street-preaching done milieu preaching England village green. polemic touch ratiocinative nature man, ugly disclosed reluctant offend deepest feelings frequenters Circle. Especially situations, substitute judgment authorities confirmed 43 explicit my restrained anything community's relation streets. conditions granting guides denying them hand, hand effectively actualities taken account. formulate particularity terms satisfy doubt, presupposes conception necessary draw rests inarticulate major premise none worse it. inadequate necessity delineation adequate, doggerel felt poetry need writing essay is. 44 Administrative speak appropriate standards, whether indoors out-of-doors. vice guarded officials. instance save validity taken. 45 arrest, interfering traffic. past performance outrage sensibilities others. If supportable fair safeguarding populous centers City, justified upsetting censorship advance. settled preclude descriminatory ordinance, judicially construed, provides anyone who, officials, York. Such standard, considering informal procedure applied, authorities. situation not, reiterate, evil.2 46 Penal Law, 722, provides: 47 'Any intent provoke occasioned, commits acts committed conduct: 48 '2. Acts annoy, disturb, interfere with, obstruct, others; 49 court ultimate satisfies process. Watts Indiana, 338 49, 50, 1347, 1348, 1357, 1801; Baumgartner 322 665, 670—671, 1240, 1243, 1525; Norris 294 587, 589—590, 55 579, 580, 79 1074; Compare Appleby 271 364, 379—380, 992. 'those termed fact'. 1801. overturn appraisal knowledge conditions. 50 Here, forced walk collecting sidewalk, attracted attention amplifiers, indulged name-calling, told persons, pushing. circumstances, speaking. twice concluded 'the officers fully feeling developing very, easily serious disorder.' intermediate unanimous Appeals. 300 N.Y. 391, 91 N.E.2d 316. estimate comes momentum weightiest judicial often Process clause doctrinaire disregarding degree respect findings highest Clause, Particularly area colloquially 'civil liberties,' reflects cavalier attitude toward civil liberties real them. Only unfamiliarity outlook judges generate notion inhospitable wanting Court's pertinent, therefore, stopped listeners disagreed honestly unanimity persuasive dissented, months earlier, Kunz, vituperative utterances highly 52 As uncontrolled 'cannot duty order'. allowable hearers. preserve displaced giving complete immunity. minutes. interfered apprehended imminence violence. principle that, acting proceed temper, speaker. 53 breach-of-peace statutes, tools government, misused. Enforcement calls tolerance intelligent administration. These, long run, say speech. alone sufficient reason asserted limit exercise. M'Ara Magistrates Edinburgh, 1913 S.C. 1059, orator contrary Magistrates' proclamation, challenged arrest. Session affirmed proclamation Act 1606 desuetude. However, judgment, Lord Dunedin, trenchant minds Anglo-American history, dealt applying Scots constitution, Dunedin's remarks apposite here: 'Now undoubtedly exists, promulgate your you utter treasonable libellous, yourself obnoxious deal blasphemy obscenity. perfectly separate thing exercised. You whay provided indicated, mean anywhere. 'I am going open spaces seems me pronouncement made, because, sake speaks truth differ much character, certain know history example, dedicated uses, things otherwise lawful dedication. Each arises. dealing proper, Mound city. thoroughfare, probably, thoroughfare corner. slightest such. Id. 1073—1074. Junz's That however appreciating context underlying appeal. consider Smith, 263 255, 188 745. expounding atheism solely speakers unreasonable classification. Responding issue, summarily dismissed appeal, 292 606, 54 775, 78 1468, citing cases: Patsone 232 138, 144, 281, 282, 539; Silver Silver, 280 117, 123, 57, 58, 74 221; Sproles Binford, 286 374, 396, 581, 588, 76 1167. All classification difference Smith Junz strikingly manifested whereas narrowest division court. borne disposed 1934, series beginning less scope theretofore granted. atmosphere generated. So far relating concerned, dissenting residents constituting majority denizen City. presumably alive securing among racial opportunity achieving limits, visitor's acquaintance tolerant genial communal life

Category: 2