Legal Document

390 U.S. 611 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1335 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 182 John Earl CAMERON et al., Appellants,v.Paul JOHNSON, etc., al. Number 699. Argued March 5 and 6, 1968. Decided April 22, Rehearing Denied June 3, See 391 971, 2029. Benjamin E. Smith, New Orleans, La., Arthur Kinoy, York City, for appellants. Will S. Wells, Jackson, Miss., appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellants brought this action declaratory injunctive relief in District Southern Mississippi. They sought a judgment declaring that Mississippi Anti-Picketing Law1 is an overly broad vague regulation expression, therefore void on its face. also permanent injunction restraining appellees—the Governor other officials—from enforcing statute pending or future criminal prosecutions otherwise, alleging then against them violating statute2 were part plan selective enforcement engaged by appellees with no expectation securing convictions, but solely to discourage appellants from picketing protect racial discrimination voter registration encourage Negro citizens attempt register vote. 2 A three-judge court initially considered issues amended complaint answers, dismissed 'in exercise sound judicial discretion' furtherance doctrine abstention,' having concluded 'that such extraordinary not due suggested case. * *' 244 F.Supp. 846, 849. We vacated dismissal, 381 741, 85 1751, 14 715, remanded reconsideration light our intervening decision Dombrowski versus Pfister, 380 479, 1116, 22.3 On remand court4 conducted evidentiary hearing again dismissed, time prejudice. 262 873. noted probable jurisdiction. 389 809, 127, 19 63. affirm. I. 3 The Law was enacted Legislature signed 8, 1964, became effective immediately. Forrest County voting office housed county courthouse Hattiesburg. set back distance street reached several paved walks surrounding grass plots monument. January civil rights organizations fostering increased staged large demonstration site. Thereafter they maintained picket line grounds every day except Sunday 23 until May 18, 1964. To facilitate access sheriff at outset blocked off barricades small 'march route' area within right main entrance courthouse, where pickets, usually few number allowed 9. 9, following enactment Law, accompanied officials, read new law pickets directed disperse, which did. removed marking route.' morning 10, now 35 40 persons, appeared resumed along unmarket arrested formally charged violation statute. Others afternoon. Seven more 11. filed 13. Picketing nonetheless continued further arrests made when nine charged. All stopped thereafter. II. 4 Court's response reconsider case first render judgment, cf. Zwickler Koota, 241, 391, 444,5 face, rejecting appellants' contention it so broad, vague, indefinite, lacking definitely ascertainable standards as be unconstitutional agree advance two-pronged argument. First, argue forbids terms 'so men common intelligence must necessarily guess meaning differ application *.' Connally General Construction Co., 269 385, 46 126, 70 L.Ed. 322.6 But prohibits only 'picketing manner obstruct unreasonably interfere free ingress egress any courthouses 'obstruct' 'unreasonably interfere' plainly require 'guess(ing) (their) meaning.' focus word 'unreasonably.'7 It widely used well understood clearly juxtaposed 'interfere.' conclude precisely delineates reach words understanding.8 'a precise narrowly drawn regulatory evincing legislative certain specific conduct proscribed.' Edwards South Carolina, 372 229, 236, 83 680, 684, 9 697. 6 second prong argument statute, even assuming 'lacking neither clarity nor precision, 'overbreadth,' is, offends constitutional principal governmental purpose control prevent activities constitutionally subject state may achieved means sweep unnecessarily broadly thereby invade protected freedoms." supra, 250, 396.9 centers fact proscription embraces employed vehicle protest. parading (are) though intertwined expression association,' Cox State Louisiana, 379 559, 563, 476, 480, 13 487,10 does prohibit unless obstructs interferes courthouse. Prohibition has effect abridge liberty 'since activity bears necessary relationship freedom distribute information opinion.' Schneider State, 308 147, 161, 60 146, 150, 84 155. valid dealing vindicate important interests society speech intermingled bring protection.' 564, 481. III. 7 deny relief, after hearing, findings failed show sufficient irreparable injury justify relief. record discloses entitle sought, if 8 recognized, U.S., 483—485, S.Ct., 1119—1120, continuing validity maxim federal district should slow act 'where powers are invoked threatened court.' Douglas City Jeannette, 319 157, 162, 63 877, 880, 87 1324; see 253, 398. Federal interference State's good-faith administration laws 'is peculiarly inconsistent framework' showing 'special circumstances' beyond incidental proceeding lawfully good faith requisite finding remedy injunction. 484, 1119, 1120. found Dombrowski. there begun not, here, regulating alleged violations various sections excessively Louisiana statutes itself—the Subversive Activities Communist Control Propaganda Law. These challenged regulations expression. Despite actions quashing arrest warrants suppressing evidence purportedly seized them, officials threaten his co-appellants under them. In context, we held 'the threat required traditional doctrines equity' out. 490, 1123. (for indictments had been obtained while court) patently their direction frame appropriate prosecution indictments. short, viewed presenting situation 'impropriety (state officials) invoking bad impose harassment order contrast, expressly harassment, intimidation, oppression these complainants efforts rights, being prosecuted deliberate denounces orderly use facilities all alike.' F.Supp., 876, 848—849. cannot say independent examination erred denying 10 Any chilling form protest flows would course, constitute impermissible invasion freedoms. 480. Appellants' establishing intervention come down proposition enforced because regarded harassing intention pressing charges obtaining knowing did violate establish This '* equity withdrawing determination guilt courts could rightly afford (appellants) protection secure prompt trial appeal pursued Court.' 164, 881. have hesitated direct review strike applications unconstitutionally applied suppress supra; Wright Georgia, 373 284, 1240, 349; supra. 11 adoption context immediate 11, provide compelling conceived halt picketing. buttress characterizing 'indefensible entrapment' permitted almost three months marked out themselves. implies suggestion started enforced. There support whatever proposition. reasonable inference authorities believed choice allow event, upon law, duty enforce it, prosecute violated law. Similarly, insofar shown failure those who short answer least infer regard period Indeed, over five-week itself some rejection primary foster citizens. 12 Nor persuaded that, adduced pickets' throughout sufficient, view appellants, sustain conviction trial, demonstrated convictions. 1122. mistakenly supposes justifying appear violated. question innocence persons charged; whether convictions rights. mere possibility erroneous amount 'to disruption proceedings.' 485, issue trial; prove guilty escape convictions.11 nonobstructive, claims quite contrary, totally devoid claim. subsequent parades Hattiesburg during streets downtown area, including locale cordoned daytime business hours sidewalks obstructed crowds spectators parades. aimed obstructions resulting city streets. obstruction unreasonable public buildings, courthouses, traffic adjacent buildings. nature place into play, let alone without Affirmed. 15 FORTAS, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 16 my opinion, 22 (1965), requires below reversed. 17 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions 'unconstitutional face.' conclusion end matter. stands absention inappropriate cases justifiably attacked face abridging discouraging activities.' 489—490, (Emphasis added.) 18 establishes will grant 'defense assure adequate vindication' First Amendment According Dombrowski, condition exists disrupting available enjoin invocation process abusively 'without hope ultimate success, discourage' assertion Greenwood Peacock, 384 808, 829, 86 1800, 1813, 944 (1966). strong medicine. involves interposition power threshold stage laws. Dombrowski's justified basic freedom, imperiled calculated, assault. And seek bear heavy burden prosecuting police legitimate ends, deliberately harass never substance truth, Ordinarily, presumption motive assembly carry day. approach problem present modest scope. Even so, commands reversal precious little, submit, supporting overcome facts before us now. 21 whose members adherents represented class began office, located Hattiesburg, Mississippi, designed register. day, crowd hundred gathered near Sunday. After initial culminating varied seven 10. Shortly picketing, thereafter confined themselves route. continue unmolested. march route took directly front was, accounts, peaceful incident. sang, chanted, preached, prayed, days beginning arrests, slow, quiet walk. relevant dates. interfered inconvenienced pedestrians negligible.1 actually obstructed. If disorderly police, limitations, statutes2 clear: designated themselves, orderly. remained considerable entrances one top steps. reason arrest. obeying, disobeying, police. 24 For about two half months, stood by. marched prescribed Nobody difficulty passage building. 25 Then, which, believe, fairly characterized directive forthwith. amended, forbade courthouses. Laws chapter 343. 26 same passed Legislature, messenger waiting As soon aloud asked disperse. group pickets. morning, returned route, made. anticipated arrests. afternoon, woman school children arrested. next demonstrating; again, 27 Apart 10,3 none times shred afternoon walks.4 28 submit compels conclusions: 29 1. success.' 'obstruct(ed) interfer(ed) 30 meager, insubstantial inconvenience pedestrians, summarized notes above, language specific, phrased Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654 (1960); Brown 383 131, 719, 637 (1966) (opinion Fortas, J.). assume shows inconvenienced, thing blocking doors like action, doubt protected. But, anything, certainly than record. 31 2. sequence demonstrate here policing sidewalks, put voting-rights demonstration. (1) laid themselves; (2) months; (3) legislature rifleshot neatly particular situation; (4) thereupon break up picketing; (5) number, volume, characteristics obstructive last occurred tolerated. 32 conclusions result putting stop peaceful, principle execution here. powerful possibly anticipate withstand tests Fourteenth areas; indulgence involving freedoms tolerable contrary. 33 reverse entry order.5 codified Miss.Code Ann. § 2318.5 (Supp.1966), pertinent provides: '1. shall unlawful person, singly concert others, engage mass demonstrations premises, property, municipal halls, jails, buildings property owned government therein, transaction justice therein thereon streets, ways contiguous thereto. '2. person deemed misdemeanor and, thereof, fined Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), imprisoned jail six (6) both fine imprisonment.' Code KF62 1443 courts. Following Greenwood, Miss. 944, Hartfield Cir., 363 Reporter, 2nd 869. subsequently stayed presently appeal. Our per curiam stated, 741—742, 1751 1752, 'On remand, consider 2283 (1958 ed.) bars case, n. 2, 1119. bar, determine proper criteria forth Dombrowski.' prohibited enjoining abating initiated prior filing suit 13, further, 42 1983 creates exception 2283. 873, 878. find unnecessary resolve either intimate correctness holding rendered consisted Circuit Judge Rives Judges Mize Cox. Upon death Mize, Coleman serve stead. dissented colleagues occasions. 856, declined pass statute's constitutionality, abstention. 855—856. error absence special circumstances abstain refuse said, 254, 399: request overbroad independently hold decide appropriateness merits irrespective propriety issuance injunction.' Ashton Kentucky, 195, 200—201, 1407, 1410, 469. suggest amendment twice inserts 'unreasonably' 'raises questions vagueness overbreadth original appeal.' rejected argument, 879: 'Plaintiffs addition disagree. 'unreasonable' seems founders Republic Fourth Amendment, remains, enforced, be, day.' Rives, dissent, 897, 58, alter defendants always interpreted block House.' Cameron Johnson, 749—750, 1755—1756 (dissenting BLACK, J.); id., 757, 1759 WHITE, NAACP Alabama ex rel. Flowers, 377 288, 307, 1302, 1313, 325; 249—250, 396—397, 444; Keyishian Board Regents, 385 589, 609, 675, 687, 629; Aptheker Secretary 378 500, 508—509, 1659, 1664—1665, 992; Button, 371 415, 438, 328, 340, 405; Shelton Tucker, 364 488, 81 247, 252, 231; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 304—307, 900, 903—904, 1213; 165, 152, 155; Giboney Empire Storage Ice 336 499—500, 69 689, 93 834; Alabama, 357 449, 460—462, 78 1163, 1170—1171, 1488; 438—439, 340—341, 405. 849: '(T)his indicates nothing plaintiffs *'; 876: 'We do sit With respect unimpressive shreds evidence: testimony home agent outside her (located courthouse) (also courthouse), she 'were close together wait just moment get fell weaving steps dropped line'; addition, president Supervisors, attracted scene 'curiosity much anything else,' testified 'opinion' side §§ 2087.5, 2087.9 (1966 Supp.) (disorderly conduct); 2089.5 (disturbance peace); 2090.5 (1957) place). early breach peace 1, each occasions fewer walking around grassy plot route,' path measured 100 feet length. indication closely bunched. dissenting below, pointed out, bunched fraction proceed plot. impeded attempting gain majority issue, discuss anti-injunction 2283, constitutes bar See, however,

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