Document: 461 U.S. 171 103 S.Ct. 1702 75 L.Ed.2d 736 UNITED STATES, et al., Appellantsv.Mary T. GRACE, al. No. 81-1863. Argued Jan. 18, 1983. Decided April 20, Syllabus Title 40 U.S.C. § 13k prohibits the "display [of] any flag, banner, or device designed adapted to bring into public notice party, organization, movement" in United States Supreme Court building on its grounds, which are defined include sidewalks constituting outer boundaries of grounds. One appellee was threatened with arrest by police officers for violation statute when he distributed leaflets concerning various causes sidewalk front Court. The other similarly displaying a picket sign containing text First Amendment. Appellees then filed suit Federal District Court, seeking an injunction against enforcement and declaratory judgment that it unconstitutional face. dismissed complaint failure exhaust administrative remedies. Appeals, after determining such dismissal erroneous, struck down face as restriction Amendment rights place. Held: Section 13k, applied surrounding building, is under Pp. 175-184. (a) conduct each falls statutory ban, hence proper reach constitutional question involved. P. 175-176. (b) As general matter, peaceful picketing leafletting expressive activities involving "speech" protected "Public places," streets, sidewalks, parks, historically associated free exercise activities, considered, without more, be "public forums." In places, government may enforce reasonable time, place, manner regulations, but additional restrictions, absolute prohibition particular type expression, will upheld only if narrowly drawn accomplish compelling governmental interest. 176-178. (c) grounds not transformed forum" property merely because permitted freely enter leave at practically all times admitted during specified hours. But where forming perimeter indistinguishable from Washington, D.C., they should treated differently thus forums purposes. 178-180. (d) Insofar totally bans communicative activity around cannot justified place restriction. A total ban carrying does substantially serve purposes part provide maintenance law order Nor do 13k's prohibitions here issue sufficiently averred purpose protecting outside influence preventing appearing subject marching acceptable way influencing where, noted, no different than city. 180-183. --- U.S.App.D.C. ----, 665 F.2d 1193, affirmed vacated part. Sol. Gen. Rex E. Lee, appellants. Sebastian K.D. Graber, Alexandria, Va., appellees. Justice WHITE delivered opinion 1 this case we must determine whether prohibits, among things, . movement"1 violates 2 * May 1978 Thaddeus Zywicki, standing passersby. were reprints letter editor Washington Post Senator removal unfit judges bench. officer approached Zywicki told him, accurately, Code prohibited distribution includes sidewalk. left. 3 January 1980 again visited distribute pamphlets information about forthcoming meetings events "the oppressed peoples Central America." informed law. indicated would arrested continued. 4 reappeared February handbills oppression Guatemala. had consulted attorney legality his been Superior Columbia construed leafletting, prohibit done specific intent influence, impede, obstruct administration justice.2 persisted leafletting. complained being denied right others granted, referring newspaper vending machines located Nonetheless, left 5 Around noon March 17, 1980, Mary Grace entered upon began display four foot two half inscribed verbatim her she have go across street wished sign. did cease arrested. 6 On 13, present Columbia. They sought continued August 7, remedies.3 took appeal, arguing Court's action improper Appeals grant relief requested complaint. 7 determined remedies erroneous went strike place.4 8 Government appealed Appeals' judgment. We noted probable jurisdiction, 457 102 2955, 73 1347. II 9 distinct activities: unlawful either "to parade, stand, move processions assemblages Building grounds," therein movement." Each appeared individually engage goes saying threat subjected violating "banner device." Accordingly, our review limited latter portion statute.5 Likewise, controversy presented appellees concerned their use carry out, shall address proscriptions sidewalks. 10 Our normal course first "ascertain construction fairly possible [constitutional] avoided." Crowell v. Benson, 285 22, 62, 52 285, 296, 76 L.Ed. 598 (1932). See New York Ferber, 458 ---- n. 24, 3348, 3361 1113 (1982). make argument before lower courts, oral argument, raised reached types engaged, answer it. agree covers therefore involved case. 11 "flag, 13k. It undisputed Grace's within description Although less obvious, equally uncontested Zywicki's fall proscription well. 12 also accept Government's contention, contested appellees, almost leaflet communication, including leaflets, "designed [a] organization Such brings some certainty avoids what might challenges validity. III 13 provides "Congress abridging freedom speech. ."6 There doubt matter E.g., Carey Brown, 447 455, 460, 100 2286, 2290, 65 263 (1980); Gregory Chicago, 394 111, 112, 89 946, 947, 22 134 (1969); Jamison Texas, 318 413, 63 669, 87 869 (1943); Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 60 736, 84 1093 (1940); Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949 (1938); Schneider State, 308 147, 146, 155 (1939). 14 true places" Perry Education Assn. Local Educator's Assn., 460 948, 955, 74 794 (1983); Hudgens NLRB, 424 507, 515, 96 1029, 1034, 47 196 (1976); Cox Hampshire, 312 569, 574, 61 762, 765, 85 1049 (1941); Hague CIO, 307 496, 59 954, 964, 83 1423 government's ability permissibly restrict very limited: regulations long restrictions "are content-neutral, tailored significant interest, open ample alternative channels communication." supra, S.Ct., 955. e.g., Heffron International Society Krishna Consciousness, 452 640, 647, 654, 101 2559, 2563, 2567, 69 298 (1981); Grayned Rockford, 408 104, 115, 92 2294, 2302, 33 222 (1972); Louisiana (Cox II), 379 559, 476, 487 (1965). Additional expression See, 955; Widmar Vincent, 454 263, 269, 70 440 (1981). 15 Publicly owned operated become simply members come will. Greer Spock, 828, 836, 1211, 1216, 505 (1976). has "generally opened public" factor consider people purposes, determinative question. regularly rejected assertion who wish propagandize protests views so whenever however wherever please." Adderly Florida, 385 39, 47-48, 242, 247, 17 149 (1966). I), 536, 554-555, 453, 464, 471; II, U.S., 563-564, 480. little circumstances entry persons except those legitimate business premises. Government, "no private owner property, power preserve control lawfully dedicated." 47, 247. IV 16 argued fit neatly non-public forum property. publicly owned, traditionally held activities. teaches, hours.7 Under view necessary imposed light dedicated there discrimination basis content. need however, well inside evident, hold technically cover entire 13p.8 That section describes extending curb streets enclosing block located. Included small geographical area, therefore, plaza promenade, lawn steps, comprising can discern reason why differently.9 Sidewalks, course, areas clearly generally further inquiry, respect, differs supra. Greer, enclosed military reservation, Fort Dix, Jersey, separated city itself. separation, fence, indication whatever stepping special enclave. Postal Service Greenburgh Civic Assns., 453 114, 133, 2676, 2687, 517 (1981), stated own ipse dixit destroy status parks forums. ." inclusion scope prohibition, results destruction least presumptively impermissible. Traditional occupies position terms protection lose recognized character abuts expression. transform expedient definition considered parcel view, V 18 submits qualifies public-forum inquiry confined focus vicinity Court" places D.C." Brief Appellants 16, 5. Viewed light, contends sufficient relevant forum, permit "place" having minimal impact activity. convinced, section, grounds,10 primarily insufficient nexus interests thought undergird reasons conclusion apparent below, decide insofar urged justification. 19 eleven-section statute, enacted 1949, "relating policing States." Stat. 616, §§ 13f 13p. occasion passage termination practice authorities appointing guards policemen District. This force authority arrests Act, soon forthcoming, modeled legislation relating Capitol 718, 193a 193m. authorizes appointment Marshal "for duty adjacent streets." Sections Act certain kinds 6, codified here. Other sections authorize penalties violations Act's occurring streets. defines limits building. 20 Based provisions legislative history, fair say therein, decorum. one apparently these At least, enactment. 21 denigrate necessity protect maintain decorum banner serves suggestion, example, appellees' obstructed access Building, injury person interfered orderly parts said, building's normally forbids. more peace tranquility basis. offers another justification deserves attention. said federal courts represent independent branch decision-making processes branches. decisions made record them accordance applicable parties briefs argument. Courts lobbying, entertain visitors chambers urging cases resolved another, respond parades, pressure groups. Neither, urges, appear marching, singly groups, appealing Hence, asked Congress quite dispute edge 23 discount importance proffered But, again, unconvinced sustain validity concerned. Those used like nothing indicate seriously draw inference lone picketer similar street. 24 perceive signs, banners devices Of issued pursuant 13l. 25 below accordingly extent otherwise vacated. 26 So ordered. 27 MARSHALL, concurring dissenting 28 I distinguishes rest premises, excising purview conformity Visitors "students teachers shed speech schoolhouse gate." Tinker Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 503, 506, 733, 731 (1969). Since continuing existence inevitably chilling effect virtue deciding constitutionality piecemeal 29 When citizen "in [he] every be," Brown Louisiana, 383 131, 142, 86 719, 724, 637 (1966) (opinion Fortas, J., joined Warren, C.J., Douglas, J.), opportunity express chosen designate area discussion. While reinforced traditional assembly, (1939) Roberts, Black, ultimately rests principle "one rightfully state carries him elsewhere fashion." 416, 671, (1943) (emphasis added). Every peaceable incompatible primary question, school,1 library,2 lunch counter,3 statehouse,4 Capitol,5 bus terminal,6 airport,7 welfare center.8 116, 2303, (1972), "[t]he crucial basically time." "[O]ne liberty appropriate abridged plea exercised place." 163, 151, 30 see premises exempt basic principle. ironic indeed exception Constitution institution chief responsibility rights. apply same places. 31 plainly regulation manner, cf., Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 87-89, 448, 453-54, 93 513 (1949); 575-576, 765-66, (1941), applies times, and, interpreted proscribes even handing out presumably, wearing campaign button well.9 32 forbid carried Cf. 2303; 843, 1220, (1976) (POWELL, concurring). contrast 1507 (1965),10 intended interfere with, obstruct, impede justice. stressed "unrelated judicial proceeding" raise "entirely considerations." 567, 482. far cry both Cox, imposes blanket "display" "any (Emphasis added.) application depend concerns sweeping scarcely operations my constitutionally public. face.11 repeatedly sweeps ambit broad range face.12 "The continuous pervasive restraint discussion reasonably regarded purview." 97-98, 741-42, (1940) (footnote omitted). BRENNAN NAACP Button, 371 415, 433, 328, 338, 405 (1963), freedoms delicate vulnerable," sanctions deter potently actual sanctions." imprisonment13 dare once 34 STEVENS, 35 three occasions handbills. construe typical passerby learned message literature. Only material possession intelligible. 36 written. "device," could not, observing sign, confidently link "movement" term understood drafted.* 37 stretch language encompass Grace. interpretation, infer abridge covered statute. restraint, avoid unnecessary adjudication questions. 38 Because neither respondents violated affirm requires petitioners restrained causing respondents' engaging disclosed record. provision scheme 1949 govern protection, care, entirety provides: "It counsel referred Ebner, 12487-79 (D.C.Super.Ct. 1980). currently appeal Appeals; court postponed decision pending outcome appeal. 524 F.Supp. 815 (1980). regard relying fact pure fully briefed Appeals. appellants take propriety addressing merits rather remanding assume Singleton Wulff, 428 106, 2868, 49 826 purports holding deals device," read prohibition. respecting establishment religion, prohibiting thereof; speech, press; peaceably assemble, petition redress grievances." limitation hours promulgated Street, N.E., D.C. 20543, Monday through Friday, a.m. 4:30 p.m., holidays. closed although authorized responsible officials." 13p "For title extend line east Street Northeast, between Maryland Avenue Northeast East Street; south Second Northeast; west north Northeast." expressly 13p, exclude Thus Congress' extension reasoned choice. conduct: purport subject. unnecessary, note current conduct. 1196 7. Interpreted conduct, clear facially content-neutral. 512-513, 739-40. 724; id., 146 5, 726 (BRENNAN, judgment). Garner 368 157, 201-202, 248, 271, 207 (1961) (Harlan, Edwards South Carolina, 372 229, 680, 697 (1963). Jeannette Rankin Brigade Chief Police, 342 575 (DDC), aff'd mem., 409 972, 311, 236 (1972). Wolin Port Authority, 392 (CA2), cert. denied, 940, 290, 275 (1968). Chicago Area Military Project 508 921 (CA7), 421 992, 95 1999, 44 483 (1975); Kuszynski Oakland, 479 1130 (CA9 1973). Albany Welfare Rights Org. Wyman, 493 1319 (CA2 1974), 419 838, 66, 42 64 (1974). Separate crime solicit contributions give 13h 13j. pertinent part: "Whoever, interfering obstructing, impeding justice, judge, juror, witness, officer, discharge duty, pickets parades near housing States, uses sound-truck resorts demonstration fined $5,000 imprisoned year, both." provided State five thousand dollars La.Rev.Stat. 14:401 (Cum.Supp.1962). clause us, since engaged procession assemblage. Robel, 389 258, 88 419, (1967); Keyishian Board Regents, 589, 604, 609-610, 675, 684, 687, 629 Elfbrandt Russell, 384 11, 19, 1238, 1242, 321 (1966); Dombrowski Pfister, 380 479, 486, 1116, 1120, (1965); 451, (1938). Indeed, third "a litigant whose unprotected nevertheless challenge showing infringes Court." Schaumberg Citizens Better Environment, 444 620, 634, 826, 834, (1980) Erznoznik Jacksonville, 422 205, 2268, 45 125 Lewis Orleans, 415 130, 94 970, 39 214 (1974); Broadrick Oklahoma, 413 601, 2908, 830 (1973); Gooding Wilson, 518, 1103, Kunz York, 340 71 312, 280 (1951); 432-433, 337-38, If made, An overbroad likewise here, challenged litigants protected. "A series actions endeavors body persons, moving tending continuously towards end." Oxford English Dictionary 729 (1933) ("movement," 6). Webster's 1604 (2d ed. 1934) 4). imprisonment days $100 fine, both. 13m.

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