The Supreme Court held the St. Paul ordinance unconstitutional. Even though the current First Amendment allows regulation over a limited class of speech known as "fighting words." the Court ruled that the St. Paul ordinance applies to fighting words only as they insult or provoke "on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or gender." Thus, those who wish to use fighting words in connection with other ideas "to express hostility, for example, on the basis of political affiliation, union membership, or homosexuality - are not covered. The First Amendment does not permit St. Paul to impose special prohibitions on those speakers who express views on disfavored subjects."
To see the entire R.A.V. v. St.Paul decision.
If you are done with this case and wish to examine a new case, choose home.
If you are finished you can return to the Project LEGAL Homepage.