Feiner vs. New York
On March 8th, 1949, Irving Feiner was arrested on a street corner in Syracuses, New York. He had been standing on a wooden box on a street corner speaking out against President Truman and local politicians and officials. Around seventy to eighty people crowded as they listened to Feiner urge blacks to violently protest injustices of society. Some people in the crowd began muttering, arguing, and even shoving. Police then stepped in and asked repeatedly for him to end his speech, for concern of violence. Feiner refused, for he claimed his right of free speech, and was arrested for inciting a breach of peace. He was found guilty and put in prison for thirty days. Feiner's case was brought up to the Supreme Court. He did have his First Amendment right of free speech, but he was arrested for "the interest of the community in maintaining peace and order on its streets," according to the Court. Everyone does have free speech, but if any sort of danger or violence is involved, police can get involved.