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Braunfeld v. Brown

United States Supreme Court

366 U.S. 599 (1961)

Facts

Pennsylvania adopted a law that required all businesses to close on Sundays. A group of Orthodox Jews (plaintiffs) challenged the City of Philadelphia (defendant), arguing that the law violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. The plaintiffs asserted that their religion required them to close their stores on Saturdays and alleged that the law placed them at a severe competitive disadvantage.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Warren, C.J.)

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Dissent (Brennan, J.)

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Dissent (Stewart, J.)

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