Index: Free Speech

Mar 3,

1915

Protests Greet “Birth of a Nation” Opening in New York City

Jul 2,

1917

Civil Liberties Bureau to Defend Conscientious Objectors, Free Speech in World War I Crisis

Jul 16,

1917

“War’s Heretics” – Norman Thomas Makes Historic Plea for the Value of Heresy, Dissent in a Democracy

Sep 16,

1917

Pacifists Arrested for Protesting WW I, Celebrating the Constitution

May 16,

1918

Sedition Act Passed: World War I Repression Intensifies

Mar 3,

1919

Supreme Court Creates “Clear and Present Danger” Test; Does Not Protect Dissent

May 1,

1919

California Criminal Syndicalism Law Takes Effect

Jan 14,

1922

Academic Freedom Commission Advocates Restrictions on Professors’ Speech !!

Dec 1,

1922

Guns, Threats Stop Union Meeting in Vintondale, PA

Dec 8,

1922

“Birth of a Nation” Denied Permit in New York City

Aug 21,

1923

President Coolidge Defends Free Speech, Except When . . .

Feb 10,

1924

Police in Wilkes-Barre, PA Block Radicals’ Meeting

Nov 28,

1925

American Legion Leader Says “Reds” Forfeit Right of Free Speech

Nov 20,

1926

Protests Greet Planned Speech by Communist/Atheist Anthony Bimba in Boston

Feb 10,

1927

ACLU Loses Suit Over Right to Speak in NYC Schools

Mar 16,

1931

Rep. Hamilton Fish Denounces ACLU For Defending “All Revolutionary Elements” in the U.S.

Apr 30,

1934

Free Speech for Nazis? ACLU Says Yes

Dec 5,

1941

New Jersey “Race Hatred” Law Held Unconstitutional

Apr 4,

1944

“Strange Fruit,” The Novel, Banned in Boston

Sep 22,

1950

Anti-Korean War Protester Waves “Peace” Flag; Gets Two Months in the Workhouse

Jun 30,

1960

NYCLU to Defend Free Speech Rights of Top American Nazi

Nov 19,

1961

Rash of Speaker Bans at City University in New York City, Hits Left, Right Speakers

Jan 2,

1962

Weavers Refuse to Sign Loyalty Oath – Are Banned by NBC

Jan 15,

1967

Let’s Spend “Some Time” Together – Rolling Stones Censor Themselves on Ed Sullivan Show

Aug 15,

1973

ACLU Backs Klan’s Right to Meet in Public Park

Oct 4,

1976

Nazi Group Requests Skokie Demonstration Permit – National Controversy Erupts

May 22,

1978

7th Circuit Affirms Nazi Free Speech Rights in Skokie

Nov 17,

1981

CBS Broadcasts Docudrama on Skokie Free Speech Controversy

Dec 25,

1981

Georgia School Board Allows Klan Meeting in Building – ACLU Applauds

Jun 21,

1989

Supreme Court Rules Texas Flag-Burning Law Unconstitutional

Jun 11,

1990

Supreme Court Declares Federal Flag Burning Law Unconstitutional: U.S. v. Eichman

Jun 21,

1990

Teens Burn Cross; Hate Crime Case Goes to Supreme Court

Jun 8,

1992

Court Upholds Professor’s Free Speech Rights on African-American Inferiority

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