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Edwards v. South Carolina

372 U.S. 229 (1963)

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Edwards v. South Carolina

United States Supreme Court
372 U.S. 229 (1963)

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Facts

Edwards was one of 187 Black high school and college students (students) (plaintiffs) who participated in a civil-rights protest during which the students marched from Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, to the South Carolina State House. The students gathered on the grounds of the state house, which were open to the public, to express their grievances to the legislature concerning the state’s racially discriminatory laws. After the students had assembled, the police ordered them to disperse within 15 minutes, threatening the students with arrest if they disobeyed. The students remained on the grounds, listening to a speech by one of their leaders and clapping their hands and stomping their feet while loudly singing religious and patriotic songs. Neither the students nor the members of the crowd watching them threatened or committed any violence. After 15 minutes, the students were arrested and taken to jail. The trial court convicted the students of breach of the peace. The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the convictions, and the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)

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