Legal Document

395 U.S. 444 89 Supreme Court Reporter 1827 23 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 430 Clarence BRANDENBURG, Appellant,v.State of OHIO. Number 492. Argued Feb. 27, 1969. Decided June 9, Allen Brown, Cincinnati, Ohio, for appellant. Leonard Kirschner, appellee. PER CURIAM. 1 The appellant, a leader Ku Klux Klan group, was convicted under the Ohio Criminal Syndicalism statute 'advocat(ing) * duty, necessity, or propriety crime, sabotage, violence, unlawful methods terrorism as means accomplishing industrial political reform' and 'voluntarily assembl(ing) with any society, assemblage persons formed to teach advocate doctrines criminal syndicalism.' Rev. Code Ann. § 2923.13. He fined $1,000 sentenced one 10 years' imprisonment. appellant challenged consitutionality syndicalism First Fourteenth Amendments Constitution, but intermediate appellate court affirmed his conviction without opinion. dismissed appeal, sua sponte, 'for reason that no substantial constitutional question exists herein.' It did not file an opinion explain its conclusions. Appeal taken this Court, we noted probable jurisdiction. 393 948, 377, 21 360 (1968). We reverse. 2 record shows man, identified at trial telephoned announcer-reporter on staff Cincinnati television station invited him come 'rally' be held farm in Hamilton County. With cooperation organizers, reporter cameraman attended meeting filmed events. Portions films were later broadcast local national network. 3 prosecution's case rested testimony identifying person who communicated spoke rally. State also introduced into evidence several articles appearing film, including pistol, rifle, shotgun, ammunition, Bible, red hood worn by speaker films. 4 One film showed 12 hooded figures, some whom carried firearms. They gathered around large wooden cross, which they burned. No present other than participants newsmen made film. Most words uttered during scene incomprehensible when projected, scattered phrases could understood derogatory Negroes and, instance, Jews.1 Another same regalia, making peech. speech, full, follows: 5 'This is organizers' meeting. have had quite few members here today are—we hundreds, hundreds throughout Ohio. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions can quote from newspaper clipping Columbus, Dispatch, five weeks ago Sunday morning. has more does organization. We're revengent organization, if our President, Congress, continues suppress white, Caucasian race, it's possible there might revengeance taken. 6 'We are marching Congress July Fourth, four hundred thousand strong. From dividing two groups, group march St. Augustine, Florida, Mississippi. Thank you.' second six figures whom, repeated speech very similar recorded first reference possibility 'revengeance' omitted, sentence added: 'Personally, believe nigger should returned Africa, Jew Israel.' Though weapons, not. 7 Statute enacted 1919. 1917 1920, identical laws adopted 20 territories. E. Dowell, A History Legislation (1939). In 1927, sustained constitutionality California's Act, Rptr. California (West’s) Penal §§ 11400—11402, text Whitney versus California, 274 357, 47 641, 71 L.Ed. 1095 (1927). upheld ground that, more, 'advocating' violent effect economic change involves such danger security may outlaw it. Cf. Fiske Kansas, 380, 655, 1108 But been thoroughly discredited decisions. See Dennis States, 341 494, 507, 857, 866, 95 1137 (1951). These decisions fashioned principle guarantees free press do permit forbid proscribe advocacy use force law violation except where directed inciting producing imminent lawless action likely incite produce action.2 As said Noto 367 290, 297—298, 81 1517, 1520—1521, 836 (1961), 'the mere abstract teaching moral even necessity resort preparing steeling it action.' Herndon Lowry, 301 242, 259—261, 57 732, 739—740, 1066 (1937); Bond Floyd, 385 116, 134, 87 339, 348, 17 235 (1966). fails draw distinction impermissibly intrudes upon freedoms guaranteed Amendments. sweeps within condemnation Constitution immunized governmental control. Yates 354 298, 77 1064, 1356 (1957); De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 255, 278 Stromberg 283 359, 51 532, 75 1117 (1931). Stats Robel, 389 258, 88 419, 19 508 (1967); Keyishian Board Regents, 589, 675, 629 Elfbrandt Russell, 384 11, 86 1238, 16 321 (1966); Aptheker Secretary State, 378 500, 84 1659, 992 (1964); Baggett Bullitt, 377 360, 1316, (1964). 8 Measured test, Ohio's Act cannot sustained. punishes 'advocate propriety' violence 'as reform'; publish circulate display book paper containing advocacy; 'justify' commission acts 'with intent exemplify, spread syndicalism'; assemble' 'to Neither indictment nor judge's instructions jury way refined statute's bald definition crime terms distinguished incitement action.3 9 Accordingly, confronted which, own applied, purports punish forbid, pain punishment, assembly others merely described type action.4 Such falls contrary supra, supported, decision therefore overruled. Mr. Justice BLACK, concurring. 11 agree views expressed DOUGLAS concurring 'clear danger' doctrine place interpretatio Amendment. join Court's opinion, understand it, simply cites (1951), indicate agreement part purported rely. DOUGLAS, 13 While desire enter caveat. 14 test adumbrated Holmes arising World War I—a war 'declared' Chief Executive. Schenck 249 47, 52, 39 247, 249, 63 470, defendant charged attempts cause insubordination military obstruction enlistment. pamphlets distributed urged resistance draft, denounced conscription, impugned motives those backing effort. Amendment tendered defense. rejecting defense said: 15 'The every whether used circumstances nature create clear will bring about substantive evils right prevent. proximity degree.' Frohwerk 204, 561, authored Holmes, involved prosecution punishment publication critical effort I. referred obstructing 'by persuasion.' Id., 206, 250. And because circulation quarters little breath would enough kindle flame.' 209, S.Ct., 251. Debs 211, 252, 566, third trilogy 1918 Term. speaking opposition 'opposition so natural intended obstruct recruiting.' 215, 253. 18 'If if, all circumstances, effect, protected being general program expressions conscientious belief.' Ibid. 1919 Term, applied affirm convictions dissidents Abrams 250 616, 40 17, 1173, instance. Brandeis concurred, dissented. adhering Schenck, he think facts overriding out: 'It only immediate evil warrants setting limit expression private rights concerned. certainly mind country.' U.S., 628, 21. instance Schaefer 251 466, 259, 64 Brandeis, joined Pierce 252 239, 205, 542, again 22 Those, then, cases put gloss Whether power—the greatest leveler them all—is adequate sustain debatable. dissents Abrams, Schaefer, show how easily manipulated crush what called '(t)he fundamental men strive better conditions through new legislation institutions' argument discourse (Pierce 273, 217) time war. doubt c lear congenial declared war, am certain reconcilable days peace. properly overrules 1095, ideas majority deemed unsound dangerous. 24 though never formally abandoning moved closer ideal dissent Gitlow (Gitlow People New York, 268 652, 45 626, 69 1138): 25 'Every idea incitement. offers itself belief believed acted unless outweighs failure energy stifles movement birth. difference between narrower sense speaker's enthusiasm result. Eloquence set fire reason. whatever thought redundant before us chance starting conflagration. If long run beliefs proletarian dictatorship destined accepted dominant forces community, meaning given their way.' 26 faithful philosophy dissent. 27 1066, overturned exercising insurrection lack 739—740. see Hartzel 322 680, 1233, 1534. Bridges 314 261—263, 62 190, 192 194, 192, approved elaborate dictum tightened confined narrow category. 1137, opened wide door, distorting beyond recognition.1 28 dubbed Marxist creed 'conspiracy.' submitted charge convict found defendants 'intended overthrow Government speedily permit." 509—511, 867. charge, construing mean determination "whether gravity 'evil,' discounted improbability, justifies invasion necessary avoid danger."2 510, 868, quoting Dennis, 183 Federal Reporter, 2nd 201, 212. 29 Out came offspring. Advocacy forcible government immune prosecution. 318, 1076, 1356. 'active' member, guilty knowledge aim 836, prosecuted. Scales 203, 228, 1469, 1485, 782. power investigate, backed powerful sanction contempt, includes determine categories fits particular witness. Barenblatt 109, 130, 79 1081, 1094, 1115. investigator roams witness, ransacking conscience innermost thoughts. 30 JudgeL earned Hand, wrote Appeals affirming judgment coined 'not improbable' Cir., 214, Judge Hand preferred over test. Indeed, book, Bill Rights 59 (1958), referring Holmes' creation said, 'I help thinking once Homer nodded.' 31 My view different. regime strict tight make free-wheeling rephrased 32 When reads opinions closely sees great misgivings aroused. First, threats often loud always puny serious judges wedded status quo analysis nervous. Second, twisted perverted teachers Marxism all-out parcel cold eroded parts 33 Action method protection 34 Suppose tears up copy eloquent protest Court. May indicted? 35 rips Bible shreds celebrate departure 'faith' embrace atheism. 36 Updated: January Term O'Brien, 391 367, 382, 1673, 1682, 672, registrant Selective Service burned draft card Vietnam rejected, saying: 37 issuance certificates indicating registration eligibility classification individuals legitimate administrative aid functioning system. insure continuing availability issued serves purpose system's administration.' 378, 1679. 38 O'Brien prosecuted having available asked federal agent. indicted, tried burning card. affirmance not, respect, consistent act praying body posture well utterances. nonetheless Free Exercise Clause. Picketing, numerous occasions, 'free plus.' Bakery Pastry Drivers Helpers Local 802 International Brotherhood Teamsters Wohl, 315 769, 775, 816, 819, 1178 (Douglas, J., concurring); Giboney Empire Storage Co., 336 490, 501, 684, 690, 93 834; Hughes Superior 339 460, 465, 70 718, 721, 94 985; National Labor Relations Fruit Vegetable Packers, 58, 77, 1063, 1073, 129 (Black, concurring), id., 93, 1081 (Harlan, dissenting); Cox Louisiana, 379 559, 578, 85 468, 476, 487 (opinion Black, J.); Amalgamated Food Employees Logan Plaza, 308, 326, 1601, 1612, 603 concurring). That regulated comes 'plus' 'action' side protest. number pickets hours (see supra), traffic community problems otherwise suffer. none these considerations implicated symbolic 41 One's sanctuaries invade. Br enblatt example ease sanctuary violated. lines drawn Communist innocent nominal inactive mark deep abiding casual uncertain belief. matters reach subpoenas probings investigators. why invasions privacy investigating committees notoriously unconstitutional. deep-seated fault infamous loyalty-security hearings since 1947 President Truman launched them, processed 20,000,000 women. Those primarily concerned one's thoughts, ideas, beliefs, convictions. most blatant violations ever known. 42 line permissible subject control impermissible regulation overt acts. 43 usually falsely shouts crowded theatre. 44 This is, however, classic brigaded action. Speiser Randall, 357 513, 536—537, 78 1332, 1346, 1460 concurring.) indeed inseparable actually caused. Apart rare instances kind, think, Certainly Scales. quality turns depth conviction; invade conscience.3 significant portions were: 'How far going to—yeah.' niggers.' 'A dirty nigger.' 'Send Jews back 'Let's give dark garden.' 'Save America.' go betterment.' 'Bury intend part.' 'Give state rights.' 'Freedom whites.' 'Nigger fight inch gets now on.' theory Smith 54 Statutes-at-Large 670, KF62 2385, embodied conformity Act's constitutionality. basis emphasized 320 324, 1077—1079, (1957), allowed advocacy, unrelated tendency count 'did unlawfully word mouth reform *.' voluntarily assemble followed language indictment. construction courts brought constitutionally limits. considered previous case, Kassay, 126 177, 184 Northeastern KF135 N59 521 (1932), Statutes affecting assembly, like touching freedom must observe established distinctions action, 364, 260: peaceable cognate equally fundamental.' Cruikshank, 92 552, 588 (1876); Hague CIO, 307 496, 519, 954, 963, 965, 83 1423 (1939); NAACP Alabama ex rel. Patterson, 449, 460—461, 1163, 1170—1171, 1488 (1958). McKay, Preference For Freedom, N.Y.U.L.Rev. 1182, 1203—1212 (1959). Feiner 340 315, 303, 295, arrested arousing audience hecklers break dissenting, American Communications Assn. C.I.O. Douds, 446, 674, 707, 709, 925 et seq.

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