1. Freedom of Petition and Assembly
Chapter 19.4
Freedom of Petition and Assembly

2. Common Examples of Freedom of Assembly & Petition
A noisy street demonstration by neo-Nazis
A candlelight vigil of opponents of the death penalty
Pro-life people singing hymns and picketing in front of an abortion clinic
Gay rights activists gathered on the steps of the state capitol

3. The Constitution’s Guarantees
1st amendment: “…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
14th amendment’s due process clause
Peaceable vs. civil disobedience
Peaceable assembly and petition is a civil right
Civil disobedience is NOT protected by the Constitution

4. Peaceable Assembly vs. Civil Disobedience

5. Time-Place-Manner Regulations
Government can make and enforce reasonable rules covering time, place, and manner of assemblies.
Grayned v. City of Rockford (re: school diversions)
Rules must be content neutral.
Forsyth County v. Nationalist Movement (re: unlimited power to set exact fees)

6. Public Property
The Supreme Court has upheld laws that require advance notice and permits for demonstrations in public places.
Questions raised:
How and to what extent can government regulate demonstrators?
Does the Constitution require that police officers allow an unpopular group to continue demonstrating when it excites others to violence?
When in the name of peace and safety, can police order demonstrators to disband?

7. Public Property (Cont’d)
Gregory v. Chicago, 1969 (re: segregation, neighborhood violence, & disorderly conduct)
Madsen v. Women’s Health Services, 1994 (re: blocking abortion clinics)
Hill v. Colorado, 2000 (re: sidewalk counseling and unwanted approach at abortion clinics)

8. Private Property
The rights of assembly and petition do not give the right to trespass on private property.
Permission must be granted by the property owner

9. Freedom of Association
Can an organization be forced to disclose the names of all its members to the government? (NAACP v. Alabama, 1958)
Can the Boy Scouts of America exclude gays from their organization? (Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 2000)
Organizational Decision (May 23, 2013) – “yes” to youths, but “no” to adults