Near v. State Of Minnesota Ex Rel. Olson, 283 U.S. 697 (1931)

"Every snake-faced gangster in the Twin Cities is a JEW."

Minnesota. 1927. "Every snake-faced gangster in the Twin Cities is a JEW. Jew Gangters, practically rule Minneapolis." The Saturday Press weekly newspaper goes on to call the mayor, police chief and county attorney criminals. The city calls the paper a public nuisance. Under a law prohibiting "malicious, scandalous and defamatory" publications, the state shuts down the paper. The publisher, Jay Near, appeals.

In 1931, the Supreme Court declares the state law unconstitutional. Chief Justice Hughes writes: "Public officers find their remedies for false accusations in actions under libel laws, and not in proceedings to restrain the publication of newspapers. It is no longer open to doubt that the liberty of the press and of speech is safeguarded from invasion by state action."

For more...

The Hughes Court 1930-1941 Supreme Court Historical Society

AMENDMENT 1 Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [^].

Your Constitutional Rights. A WEB & RADIO project of:
ACLU Montana | HearingVoices.