Document: 340 U.S. 290 71 S.Ct. 312 95 L.Ed. 280 KUNZv.PEOPLE OF STATE NEW YORK. No. 50. Argued Oct. 17, 1950. Decided Jan. 15, 1951. Mr. Osmond K. Fraenkel, New York City, for appellant. Seymour B. Quel, appellee. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 City has adopted an ordinance which makes it unlawful to hold public worship meetings on streets without first obtaining a permit from city police commissioner.1 Appellant, Carl Jacob Kunz, was convicted and fined $10 violating this by holding religious meeting permit. The conviction affirmed Appellate Part Court Special Sessions, Appeals, three judges dissenting, 1950, 300 N.Y. 273, 90 N.E.2d 455. case is here appeal, having been urged that invalid under Fourteenth Amendment. 2 Appellant ordained Baptist minister who speaks auspices 'Outdoor Gospel Work,' he director. He preaching about six years, states his duty 'go out highways byways preach word God.' In 1946, applied received in question, there being no question appellant comes within classes persons entitled receive permits ordinance.2 This permit, like all others, good only calendar year issued. November, revoked after hearing commissioner. revocation based evidence had ridiculed denounced other beliefs meetings. 3 Although penalties apply anyone 'ridicules denounces beliefs,' does not specify as ground revocation. Indeed, mention any power However, did seek judicial or administrative review proceedings, propriety before us case. event, affected appellant's rights speak 1946 only. another 1947, again 1948, but notified each time application 'disapproved,' with reason disapproval given. On September 11, arrested speaking at Columbus Circle It resulted appeal taken. 4 Appellant's thus upon failure possess 1948. We are concerned action commissioner refusing issue Disapproval 1948 justified courts previously 'for reasons'3. noteworthy reasons such can be refused. interpretation allows commissioner, official, exercise discretion denying subsequent applications basis interpretation, time, what deemed conduct condemned ordinance. have here, then, gives official discretionary control advance right citizens matters York. As such, clearly prior restraint First Amendment rights. 5 considering municipality use expression views, we start words Roberts 'Wherever title parks may rest, they immemorially held trust and, mind, used purposes assembly, communicating thoughts between citizens, discussing questions.' Hague v. C.I.O., 1939, 307 496, 515, 59 954, 964, 83 1423. recognized statute enacted prevents serious interference normal usage parks, Cox State Hampshire, 1941, 569, 61 762, 85 1049, consistently licensing systems vest grant withhold broad criteria unrelated proper regulation places. Cantwell Connecticut, 1940, 310 296, 60 900, 84 1213, required license soliciting money causes. Speaking unanimous Court, said: 'But condition solicitation aid perpetuation views license, rests determination state authority cause, lay forbidden burden liberty protected Constitution.' page 307, 904. To same effect Lovell Griffin, 1938, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949; 1423; Largent Texas, 1943, 318 418, 63 667, 87 873. Saia People York, 334 558, 68 1148, 92 1574, reaffirmed invalidity restraints speak: 'We § unconstitutional its face, establishes previous free speech violation against action. loudspeaker amplifier one get Police. There standards prescribed discretion.' pages 559—560, 1149, 1574. 6 court below mistakenly derived support conclusion produced trial had, past, caused some disorder. appropriate remedies protect peace order community if speeches should result disorder violence. 'In present case, occasion inquire permissible scope punishment.' Near Minnesota, 1931, 283 697, 715, 51 625, 631, 75 1357. do express punitive authorities utilize. suppression—not punishment. sufficient say cannot restraining over subjects where guide 7 Reversed. 8 BLACK concurs result. 9 FRANKFURTER 10 For concurring see 268, 328. 11 JACKSON, dissenting. 12 Essential freedoms today threatened within. become difficult preserve large part world lost—the speak, even temperately, vital spirit body. setting, blanket hateful hate-stirring attacks races faiths protections freedom noble innovation. hand, quixotic tilt windmills belittles great principles liberty. Only tell. But I incline latter view assent decision. I. 13 know doing, must locate point asserted Kunz conflict powers organized community. placed limitation choose make private property, require streets. ordinance, neither terms nor applied, prohibited Kunz,1 street meetings, own religion making temperate criticism refutation religions; indeed, given general so. His however, brought 'a flood complaints' engaging scurrilous Catholics Jews. notice, eighteen complainants appeared. Commissioner 1947 were went Circle, September, ten dollars. 14 At these preached, among many things tenor, 'The Catholic Church merchandise souls,' Catholicism devil,' Pope 'the anti-Christ.' Jews 'Christ-killers,' said them, 'All garbage didn't believe Christ burnt incinerators. It's shame weren't.' 15 These utterances, might expect, stirred strife Testifying behalf, stated 'became acquainted with' complaining witnesses, whom thought Jew, 'when happened sock my Christian boys puss.' himself complained authorities, charging woman interrupter disorderly conduct. also testified when officer 'I trouble then,' 'with officer, trouble.' 16 contention brings sustains constitutional therefore deny will continue line talk.2 claim granted permit; whole system says Constitution him permission needs none City. II. 17 made asserts future properly bounds constitutionally protected. discussion, contrary assumption basic opinion. 'an streets'. Again, 'prior rights' invalidates (Emphasis supplied.) seems take last step first, assuming premise question. Of course, exercising rights, then restrain punish him. doubt Court's survive analysis. 18 initiates doctrine language this, environment meeting, immune municipal control. would very different presumed could piece pulpit hall. undertaken chooses difference. preacher takes advantage people's presence impose message what, sense, captive audience. A property up audience volunteered listen. therefore, whether could, tried, silence place service hurl insults passerby. 19 What Holmes Schenck United States, 249 47, 52, 39 247, 249, 470, axion: most stringent protection man falsely shouting fire theatre causing panic.' concept few decisions recent when, through Murphy, 'There certain well-defined narrowly limited speech, prevention punishment never raise Constitutional problem. include lewd obscene, profane, libelous, insulting 'fighting' words—those their utterance inflict injury tend incite immediate breach peace. * *' Chaplinsky 315 568, 571—572, 62 766, 769, 86 1031. 20 'insulting words' calling 'God damned racketeer' 'damned Fascist.' Equally inciting more 'fighting words,' thrown rightfully statements anti-Christ' 'Christ-killers.' terse epithets come down our generation weighted hatreds accumulated centuries bloodshed. They art profession defamation. kind insult men bandy laugh off spirits high flagons low. class whose literal sting drawn speaker smiles uses them. always, every context, spring answered none. Their historical associations violence well understood, both those struck missiles. Jews, families perished extermination furnaces Dachau Auschwitz, than tolerant pass lightly suggestion unbelievers burned. people mental so file cry 'fire.' cases genuine likelihood someone hurt. 21 decisions, today, searched vain clear does, lower should, distinguish legitimate acknowledged outside protection. One absence little experience deciding controversies late 1922, declared, '* provision States imposes restrictions 'freedom speech' *.' Prudential Insurance Co. America Cheek, 259 530, 543, 42 516, 522, 66 1044. expanded recently assumed Due Process Clause Amendment, must, unless multitude police-court cases, declare decided below. 22 evidences provocative, immunity interference? Is determined actual reaction hearers? Or appraisal inherent quality used? both? 23 understand, though disagree with, minority Feiner 315, 303, who, far see, since recognize limits all, rioting price allow pay price. juristic philosophic field admits make.3 problem, disagree, how draw line. 24 peculiar today's reference 'clear danger' test years played free-speech cases. Cf. American Communications Ass'n Douds, 339 382, 393, 70 674, 681. If benefit rule announced it, supra, mean prevent circumstances nature create danger bring substantive evils' prevent, suppose list fighting riots. pointed out, proof leaves Kunz's words, streets, that, escort attends awe hearers into submission. 25 hostile reception subject certainly alone destroy one's speak. reasoned Roman Judaism might, probably would, cause resentment protest. society sects factions, suffer others. Tolerance unwelcome, unorthodox ideas information policy defeated break relish. 26 emergencies arise catastrophes crowd prejudiced angry malicious. situation threatens hand force present, think speaker, yield temporarily greater interest threat judged faith real, serious. silencing measure mob dynamiting house stop spread conflagration. overwhelming flames fed compared served continuing feed abridge except emergency grounds revoking convicting offense because utterance. resisted officer's reasonable demand cease, incur penalties. 27 And matter eventually 'words nature' anticipate evil justify, excuse, provocative character language, not, record poses present' order. Why, put it? 28 vigilant sole judge carry verbal streets? source freedom? Does example, lawfully going about, children 'Christ-killers' gatherings sectarian sponsored bodyguard? 29 weight value potentiality harm. declaring asserts, serving end stands? 30 purpose foster peaceful interchange manner thoughts, ideas. Its rooted reason. wisely said, 'Resort personal abuse sense communication safeguarded Constitution'. 309 310, 906, 1213. 'It observed utterances essential exposition ideas, slight social truth them outweighed morality.' So U.S., 572, interesting expose thinking Chaplinsky. III. 31 worthwhile note technique strikes employed sustained it. results appear largely due dissimilarity. 32 Appeals treat existing vacuum considered facts controversy. While construed 'as requiring give annual preaching, defendant, religion,' 276, 455, 456 (emphasis supplied), applicant 'claims riots, services policemen quell riots', need 278, 457. 33 refuses consideration 'past' 'caused disorder.' Nor disorders occur again. close rendering advisory evaluating factual scrutiny. characteristics us, yet taking either done do. 34 happen disclose impossible construction consistent Such aims patently power. 451, 668, 949. CIO, Thornhill Alabama, 88, 736, 1093; Usually, approach challenged law. 708, 628, 1357; 903, 1213; Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 69 448, 93 513; Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 894, 1131. light construed, procedure conflicts Petrillo, 332 67 1538, 91 1877. That determine indicated comparison void similar tested valid. difference, demonstrates, easy read hypothetical civil draft infirmity. 35 venture predict, apply, federal statutes standard possible unconstitutionally applied. begin opportunity repeat vituperative win strength right.4 IV. 36 remains prohibits account dangers am persuaded so, provided, discriminate equal law undertake censorship defamatory, insulting, inciting, reasonably likely 37 abused discrimination censorship, abuses part. neither, matters, bad, regardless fairly administered seeks prevent. 38 rather blindly indirectly affect freedoms. Cities throughout country requirement activities purposes.5 universality demonstrates indicates widespread necessarily incompatible everybody Court? Until custom municipalities regarded Constitution. approved identical Smith 292 606, 54 775, 78 1468.6 decision now overruled. attacked denial prescribe classification, attribute narrow Would sustain providing classification face? 40 'limited problem.' Schenk injunction uttering lead riot. 577 578, Hughes, distinguished parade procession relied found 'has inconsistent liberties means safeguarding ultimately depend.' 574, 765. contribution later-day jurists. 41 stripping resurrects I, rely supposed decent burial supra. Must avoid chaos resort sweeping prohibitions sanctioned Kovacs, instead milder system? Compelling choice allowing dubious liberties. press, best restraint. Decisions press unconstitutional, heartily agree. precedents transposed street-meeting field. impact publishing similarity meeting. Publishing property. reaches read, way, analogous hall choice. Written less apt provoke mass spoken primitive direct emotions. Few riots publication alone, mobs origin harangue. vulnerability various forms proportioned interests. 43 suggested precise denial. defect, be, just apparent upheld today. change 44 philosophy decision, change? severe exacting local statutes. exemplifies, acts down, practical actually invaded anyone's freedoms, set invasion impossible. statutes, stand require, shown in, freedom.7 45 always desirable, exact better. condemn ordinances setting forth comprehensive standards. are, majority agree numerous individual opinions Justices. institution infrequently disagrees former self relies distinctions substantial. Compare Jones Opelika 1942, 316 584, 1231, 1691, 319 103, 890, 1290, Minersville School District Gobitis 1940; 586, 1010, 1375, West Virginia Board Education Barnette 624, 1178, 1628; Cooper 1949, hypercritical strike laws faces want standards.8 find authority. left dealing V. 46 unreasonable process law, seem respects unreasonable. unable learn, holds, permission, sit until incident, perhaps sanguinary one, occurs unspecified 'appropriate remedies'. assume which, one-third upheld.9 invites merits two methods achieving ends 47 officials stopped Kunz. patrolmen, hearing. believed duly warned refusal advised charges, hearing, confronted afforded chance charges confess offer amend ways. detached responsible reviewed court. 48 enable feel call proselytize asking permission.10 else. whenever wherever elect, way heckler, interrupter, dissenter, rivals missionary fervor, lift voices. And, adversaries, discussion degenerates name-calling contest human is, fight method chaos. 49 conceives, indicates, policeman assurance promise ear broken hope,' patrolman beat happens prejudices own. 50 Turning binds issuance required. Denial warranted unusual anything certainty shown, improper. reached commends itself orderly mind—complaints filed, witnesses heard, cross-examine given, impartial denies courts. humiliation presenting menace me better protects let everyone leave, surveillance ordered police. obvious security number informs intends necessary steps insure overzealous officers stops listen move on, Moreover, likely, knows provokes revoked, objector told remedy filing complaint hands. objections, crowd. Instead, thing complaints frustrates 52 system. go beyond violence, authorized conducted spot judgment measures violent disorders. adversary 53 segregate, according diverse nationalities, races, religions, political associations, vast hordes living confines. Every frightening aggregation legally live, labor, travel, chooses. places, nationalities sorts conditions walk, linger mingle. dignity fanatics possession crowds defamatory hurt rocks? intrinsically incendiary divisive, race religion. Racial fears root terrible disgraced civilization. ugly possibilities overhang city. 'consecrated sect' world's bloody explosives sys play tolerate 55 suppress keep upset administering proved particularly sure going, sought 56 Addressing subject, 'Authority Individual,' keenest philosophers observes: concerned, balance; too stagnation, much chaos.'11 Perhaps fever times inclines favor My hope life teaches faith. Section 435—7.0 chapter Administrative Code reads follows: 'a. Public worship.—It shall person instrumental collecting promoting assemblage exhortation, ridicule denounce form belief, reverence, expound atheism agnosticism, pretense therefor, street. clergyman denomination, regularly associated church incorporated society, lay-preacher, lay-reader services, representative organization devoted advancement agnosticism places specified therefor issued section congregation denomination assembling performing rites baptism, ceremonies church. 'b. Interference street, services.—It disturb, molest interrupt cleargyman, minister, missionary, lay-preacher lay-reader, conducting hereunder, rite baptism permitted herein, commit riot assembly. 'c. Violations.—Any violate section, thereof, punished fine twenty-five dollars, imprisonment thirty days, both.' Smith, 263 255, 188 N.E. 745, dismissed substantial 1934, 1468. argued speakers constituted classification. None questions involved instant presented initial requests eligible applicants granted. 456. assume, made, defendant wanted new ones guilty before.' classifications issue. Hence, challenge exclusions. excluded grounds, sustained. See, Railway Express Agency 106, 463, 533, classify printed communications remote traffic 'Q. your you practice religion? A. Yes. Holy Bible God. Bible, God, ridicules man's religion, perfect right.' otherwise proposes resume attacks, dispelled letters addressed members asserting assailing, Prof. Meiklejohn, discard formula, least restriction stands peculiarly inept unsuccessful attempt formulate exception principle speech.' Free Speech, Relation Self-Government, p. unlimited speech. says, No well-governed legislature prohibit Libellous assertions punished. slander. Words crime themselves criminal dealt such. Sedition treatson expressed writing. decisive repressive government imperative sake welfare. All necessities provided Id., 18. Brandeis, J., concurring, Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 347, 466, 483, 80 688. controlling parks. presently constituted, Term attack park question', Justices Black Douglas Hass 338 803, 66. assemblages mask Ku Klux Klan stopping harmless masquerade balls like. Penal Law, McK.Consol.Laws, c. 40, 710. situations conceivable involved. clarity Judge Pound 255. 257, 745. unanimously "It settled Federal discussion. aimed directed towards used. passion, rancor malice sometimes aroused justify especial supervision streets.' substance. Stataes fair contrast precision Act 'relating policing building Supreme States.' Stat. 616, U.S.C.A. 13f et seq. 'make harangue oration, utter loud, threatening, abusive Building grounds.' 5. forbids display 'flag, banner, device designed adapted notice party, organization, movement.' 6. 1093. authorizes Marshal 'prescribe regulations, adequate therein, maintenance suitable decorum 7. Violation provisions regulations punishable imprisonment. provides observance ceremonies' 'may suspend occasions prohibitions', including above, occasion, appointed, arrangements adequate, Marshal, therein.' Here exalted artistry definitive authorizing speaking. reported Judiciary Committees informal approval cities ourselves suggests theorizing imposing burdens impractical comply with. join 303. When colored neighborhood rise arms fight, using 'rhetorical,' rhetoric tell, cold record, taken wisest situation. latitude honest locality. startling proposition advises, encourages, incites Frohwerk 204, 206, 250, 561, while prohibiting legislation been, obviously intended language. Robertson Baldwin, 165 275, 281, 326 (328), 715. Hamilton Madison, competent later, ever counselling murder jurisdiction Congress Niemotko Maryland, 325, illustrates alert were, manner, charged appears applicants' belief salute flag, compelled do, conscientious objections bearing war, accepted valid excuse combat duty. denial, based, conclusive convictions stand. Do quickly forget chief 'released time' school students instruction tax-supported propagate Illinois ex rel. McCollum Education, 333 203, 461, 648. How purpose? yesterday meant allow? Russell, Authority Individual, 25.

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