Rockwell v. Morris

12 A.D.2d 272, 211 N.Y.S.2d 25, 1961 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 12687
CourtAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
DecidedFebruary 14, 1961
StatusPublished
Cited by23 cases

This text of 12 A.D.2d 272 (Rockwell v. Morris) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rockwell v. Morris, 12 A.D.2d 272, 211 N.Y.S.2d 25, 1961 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 12687 (N.Y. Ct. App. 1961).

Opinions

Breitel, J. P.

Rockwell, a self-styled American Nazi and, reputedly, a rabid racist, applied to the Commissioner of Parks on May 17,1960, for a permit to use Union Square Park to make a public political speech the following July 4. The park is located in New York City in a traffic and pedestrian-congested area which is also a transfer point for a number of rapid transit lines. Respondent Commissioner denied the application June 22,1960, without offering Rockwell an alternative time or place. This proceeding under article 78 of the Civil Practice Act was instituted August 11, 1960 to review the Commissioner’s determination.

[274]*274Special Term dismissed the petition. The nub of its reasoning was that Rockwell had by speech and pamphlet accused more than two and a half million residents of New York City of being traitors, identified by their ethnic and religious classification; that he was a “ self-confessed advocate of violence ” and Hitlerian methods; and that if he spoke it was ‘ inevitable that public disorder and riot will result ’ ’.

Rockwell has appealed urging that the Commissioner did not comply with the very regulation under which he purported to act, and that, if he had such power under the regulation, it is void for unconstitutionality. Respondent Commissioner contends that under the regulation he has the power, constitutionally, to refuse a permit to one whose activities would create serious disorder — a clear and present danger. Respondent also urges that the date requested, July 4, 1960, having passed, the matter has been rendered moot, and the petition should be dismissed.

The order of Special Term must be reversed and the petition granted in part. The Commissioner did not comply with his own regulation. In any event, such a power, as arrogated by the Commissioner, would be unconstitutional. Because the regulation requires provision of an alternative time and place, and the issue is of such vital constitutional significance, the proceeding has not been rendered moot.

First: The record does not support the grounds subsequently assigned by the Commissioner for his action.

At or about the time Rockwell made his application for a permit the metropolitan newspapers were filled with material about him, all to his evident satisfaction and purpose. His activities in his favorite haunt, Washington, D. C., near his home in Virginia, were publicized, including his arrest for creating public disorder by highly offensive, rabid, racist speeches. As a result, several organized groups in this city were aroused, the Mayor made public pronouncements, and the Commissioner in due course denied Rockwell’s application, without at that time assigning any reasons. In fact, all the Commissioner had before him, and that is still the only original administrative record, is a stark application, which, except for the designation ‘‘ American Nazi Party ”, and a reference to ‘‘ Storm Leader ”, suggests none of the things for which Rockwell stands or may be responsible.

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Bluebook (online)
12 A.D.2d 272, 211 N.Y.S.2d 25, 1961 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 12687, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rockwell-v-morris-nyappdiv-1961.