Legal Document

393 U.S. 256 89 Supreme Court Reporter 424 21 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 418 Ramsey CLARK et al.v.Charles Joseph Cuney GABRIEL. Number 572. Dec. 16, 1968. Rehearing Denied Feb. 24, 1969. See 1112, 853. Solicitor General Griswold, Assistant Attorney Weisl, Morton Hollander and Robert V. Zener, for appellants. Norman Leonard, appellee. PER CURIAM. 1 Appellee's draft Board rejected his claim to classification as a conscientious objector classified him I—A. His appeals within the Selective Service System were unsuccessful. After he was ordered report induction brought an action in District Northern of California seeking have enjoined rejection declared improper on grounds that it had no basis fact, misapplied statutory definition objector, members improperly motivated by hostility bias against those who be objectors. The entered preliminary injunction preventing appellee's until after determination merits. 2 In entering injunction, held jurisdiction hear despite § 10(b)(3) Military Act 1967, 50 Code KF62 App. 460(b)(3) (1964 ed., Supp. III), which provides: 3 'No judicial review shall made or processing any registrant local boards, appeal President, except defense criminal prosecution instituted under section 12 this title, has responded either affirmatively negatively order induction, civilian work case determined opposed participation war form: Provided, That such go question herein reversed President only when there is fact assigned registrant.' 4 Acknowledging statute if applicable would prevent pre-induction classification, that, so applied, unconstitutional because provide consideration lawfulness Board's require appellee pursue 'tortuous adventure' beset 'hazards' 'penalties' result 'in at all.' Government appealed 28 1252 allows direct 'an interlocutory final judgment, decree court * holding Congress civil officer thereof party.' 5 This today, full consideration, decided Oestereich versus Local Bd. 11, 233, 414, 402. Because here dictated principles enunciated case, appropriate decide summarily, reversing Court. 6 delinquency procedure reclassified without conflict with petitioner's rights explicitly established not dependent upon act judgment board. Oestereich, divinity student, unconditionally entitled exemption. Here, contrast, doubt board's authority take challenges, inescapably involves exercise judgment. By statute, expressly conditioned registrant's being 'sustained board.' 456(j) III). 7 Here exercised its discretion pass particular request 'evaluating evidence determining whether claimed exemption deserved.' supra, 238, S.Ct., 416. A must make decision respect each many claims presented it. To allow preinduction determinations permit precisely kind 'litigious interruptions procedures necessary military manpower' (113 Cong.Rec. 15426 (report Senator Russell Conference Committee action)) sought enacted 10(b)(3). 8 We find constitutional objection Congress' thus requiring assertion objector's advanced deferred course chooses, whereupon habeas corpus available remedy, follow should press objections point refusing submit induction. Estep States, 327 114, 66 423, 90 L.Ed. 567 (1946); Falbo 320 549, 64 346, 88 305 (1944). 9 motion leave proceed forma pauperis granted. reversed, remanded issuance dissolving dismissing action. 10 Reversed remanded. 11 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, concurring. & N Immigration Nationality Decisions set forth Appendix, makes plain, states, turns weight credibility testimony. therefore agree 1967 precludes stage. 13 different view where moved from CO (conscientious objector) I—A speech, unpopular Board. 14 also member institutionalized group,1 Quakers, whose opposition well known registrant, though perhaps Board, bona fide group. Then, too, lawless way2 disregarding all denied classification. 15 But my takes extreme can said flout law, did Bd., warrant actions. 16 APPENDIX TO OPINION OF J., CONCURRING. 17 Charles Gabriel 23 years old, son white father Negro mother. He graduated Berkeley High School, attended San Francisco State College two before dropped; following year tried regain entrance attending 'Extension School'; but re-admission, spent next City graduated. registered 1963 age 18. Two later, 20, applied status. reclassification, three requests 'personal appearance' board over nine-month period disregarded. Finally, given opportunity personal appearance complained Headquarters. reclassification. 18 (A) Gabriel's Letter August 13, 1965. 19 1965, obtained copy Form 150 files status, filled out form sent accompanying letter explaining convictions: 20 'As firmly believe willfully let deprived debt forced service arbitrarily eligible men purpose fighting Negroes void. been fights citizens behalf. 'My beliefs are superior human relations government duties coming stolen me government. 22 'I voiced opinions freely. H.S. class fall 1962 during Cuban crisis speech Cuba otherwise haven't bothered record times what thought. '(listing activities): active CORE (1961—2) March Wash DC 1963; Demonstrated HUAC Wash. D.C. 1959 helped organize Freedom Week Play 1963. 1960 support sit-ins southern Wolworth Stores. 24 'All through life contact people killing; believed system unjust. My parents their friends, numerous books liberal leftist writers things am.' 25 (B) Official Summary Personal Appearance. 26 appearance, filed summary hearing, provided regulations. 27 'This you Thursday, May 19, 1966. youngest, forty forty-five old fairly friendly meeting; oldest seemed neutral; other unfriendly. man referred letters 'very pointed, belligerent.' said, jokingly, wrote help Ben Seaver Alex Sliszka they share blame. Then unfriendly comment about Seaver. youngest read statement didn't think rights. asked wasn't most case. 'No. It part it.' one trying 'beat game.' easier ways avoid gave some examples. reread written i.e. answer subversive. 'maybe I'm right.' I'd fought high school. answered, 'No' 'You real good boy.' then between four 'eradicate' thought mind gotten unfair treatment (C) Department re sume . appealed. And customary appeals, conducted investigation into sincerity beliefs. investigating officer's report. 29 'A representative School stated 'quiet rebel' mature age. Another she recalls demonstrated regard individual extremely conscious role society American Negro. advised mother step-father politically organizations Racial Equality. Buildings Grounds Department, College, reputation involved movement doings anti-war demonstrations activities. never actually witnessed these activities general knowledge among employees around campus. An official Magic Theatre, Francisco, service. further discussed Vietnam considers One person interviewed resided apartment building last five years. She recalls, young male woman ago. believes may registrant. reference since both students College. could communist, however, this. aware very much movements war. organizations, know names organizations. mentioned groups participated marches. (the registrant) went armed forces physical examination observed anti-draft demonstration occurring front facilities felt compelled demonstration, did.' 30 (D) Recommendation. 31 conducting investigation, 'recommendation' board, suggesting status: 32 'He definitely communist. is, been, consistently nonviolent, aggressive demonstrations. although Day War Resistance League, peace marches, always passive peaceful manner.' 33 BRENNAN, STEWART, WHITE concur reasons STEWART'S dissenting opinion U.S., Page 245, 421, L.Ed.2d, 411, today. 34 BLACK note probable down argument. Membership religious group not, course, sole means getting extends anyone objections, even associated others. Seeger, 380 163, 172—173, 85 850, 857 858, 733. White, Processing Conscientious Objector Claims: Constitutional Inquiry, 56 Calif.L.Rev. 652, 660—667 (1968).

Classification Label: 2