Communication Quote by Potter Stewart
“The right to defy an unconstitutional statute is basic in our scheme. Even when an ordinance requires a permit to make a speech, to deliver a sermon, to picket, to parade, or to assemble, it need not be honored when it's invalid on its face.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion, 1972, United States v. O'Brien
Even if a law requires a permit for speech, it can be ignored if the law itself is unconstitutional.
In simple terms: Unconstitutional speech permits are invalid.
Key Takeaway
Challenge laws that violate constitutional rights.
Themes
law
civil liberties
constitution
Mood
cautious
empowering
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- protests
- public speaking
- religious gatherings
- political rallies
Key Concepts
First Amendment
jurisprudence
Questions to Reflect On
- When should individuals risk defying a law?
- How to identify unconstitutional statutes?
A Different Perspective
The statement assumes all courts will recognize the invalidity promptly.
![“[God] never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed, and which will not end in the greatest amount of good and glory to those who become the recipients of His law and ordinances.” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fd/joseph-smith-jr-1647_commandment_god-never-will-institute-an-ordinance-or_2364955.jpg)
![“For when everything is classified, then nothing is classified, and the system becomes one to be disregarded by the cynical or the careless, and to be manipulated by those intent on self-protection or self-promotion." [ New York Times Co. v. United States , 403 U.S. 713 (1971) (concurring)]” quote by Potter Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e80/potter-stewart-22133_freedom_for-when-everything-is-classified-then-n_1634570.jpg)
