PETITIONER:
Terminiello
RESPONDENT:
Chicago
LOCATION:
DOCKET NO.: 272
DECIDED BY: Vinson Court (1946-1949)
LOWER COURT:
ARGUED: Feb 01, 1949
DECIDED: May 16, 1949
Terminiello v. Chicago
Facts of the case
Father Arthur Terminiello, in an auditorium in Chicago, delivered a vitriolic speech in which he criticized various political and racial groups and viciously condemned the protesting crowd that had gathered outside the auditorium. Policemen assigned to the event were unable to prevent several disturbances by the "angry and turbulent" crowd. The police arrested Terminiello for "breach of the peace." He was then tried and convicted for his central role in inciting a riot.
Question
Did the Chicago ordinance violate Terminiello's right of free expression guaranteed by the First Amendment?
