Facts—The Hatch Act, enacted in 1940, makes it unlawful for federal employees to engage in certain specified political activities. The appellants, with the exception of George Poole, asked for a declaration of the legally permissible limits of regulation. The Court…

Hague v. Congress of Industrial Organizations, 307 U.S. 496; 59 S. Ct. 954; 83 L. Ed. 1423 (1939) Facts—This case involved the validity of an ordinance of Jersey City that prohibited assemblies “in or upon public streets, highways, public works,…

DeJonge v. Oregon, 299 U.S. 353; 57 S. Ct. 255; 81 L. Ed. 278 (1937) Facts—DeJonge was indicted in Multnomah County, Oregon, for violating the criminal syndicalism law of the state, which criminalized advocacy of crime, physical violence, sabotage, or…

Gonzales v. Centro Espirita, 546 U.S. 418; 126 S. Ct. 1211; 163 L. Ed. 2d 1017 (2006) Facts—O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniano do Vegetal (UDV) is a Christian Spiritist sect based in Brazil with about 130 U.S. members. Members take…

Board of Regents v. Southworth, 529 U.S. 217; 120 S. Ct. 1346; 146 L. Ed. 2d 193 (2000) Facts—Students at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, challenge the expenditure of student activities fees in support of organizations that advocate a number…

Rosenberger v. University of Virginia, 515 U.S. 810; 115 S. Ct. 2510; 132 L. Ed. 2d 700 (1995) Facts—While providing funding through student activity fees for a variety of student groups, the University of Virginia denied such funding to Wide…