American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

United States Court of Appeals-10th Circuit (July 12, 1993) in the case of Cannon v. City and County of Denver, rendered a unanimous decision in favor of two women who picketed near an abortion clinic, stating: <We are convinced that here the message on the signs did not amount to fighting words under the Supreme Court's standards....Furthermore they played an important role in the exposition of ideas. We hold therefore that the rights of the protestors to picket on the public sidewalks in front of the clinic with signs was a clearly established constitutional right at the time of the 1988 arrests...

United States District Court (July 1993) in the case of Black v. City of Atlanta, ordered the City of Atlanta, Georgia, to adopt procedures respecting the rights of pro-life protestors. The ruling encompassed: <1. The fundamental rights of speech, press and religion includes the freedom to engage in prayer, conversation, oratory, display and/or distribution of literature, display of picket signs, reading of scriptures, singing and chanting. City authorities will not interfere with, restrict, or deny the rights of speech, press, or religion, unless an actual obstruction or impediment occurs. Circumstances where physical passage is possible, but discomfort with the messages of...

Texas Supreme Court (June 30, 1993) in the case of Ex Parte: Reverend Keith Tucci, declared that a proposed 100 foot "speech free zone" around abortion facilities violated the Constitution of the State of Texas. The Supreme Court of Texas issued the opinion: <Today our court continues to favor the growth and enhancement of freedom, not its constraint. The fact that vigorous debate of public issues in our society may produce speech considered obnoxious or offensive by some is a necessary cost of that freedom. Our Constitution calls on this court to maintain a commitment to expression that is strong and...

Tennessee Proclamation (June 21, 1993) signed by Governor Ned McWherter declaring August 29-September 4, 1993, as "Christian Heritage Week". (A similar Proclamation was signed November 21, 1994.): <WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Tennessee states that "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness...That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty god according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain...

United States Supreme Court (June 7, 1993) in the case of Jones v. Clear Creek Independent School District, 977 F.2d 963, 972 (5th Cir. 1992), upheld the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision permitting student-initiated prayer at high school graduation ceremonies, providing a majority of the class votes to do so: <A majority of students can do what the State acting on its own cannot do to incorporate prayer in public high school graduation ceremonies.> 1993US008 <There is a crucial difference between government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free speech and...