Federal circuit court limits protests on Supreme Court buildings and grounds

The D.C. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ban on “harange or oration, or…loud, threatening or abusive language in the Supreme Court Building or grounds.” The district court ruled that the language of the ban was vague, but the D.C. Circuit said the intent was to prohibit speech that could “disturb the operations and decorum of the Court.” The decision reaffirmed earlier decisions establishing the “special status” of the Supreme Court building in limiting speech. (Constitutional Law Prof Blog, March 5, 2017, by Ruthann Robson)

In writing for the unanimous panel, Judge Janice Rogers Brown noted a 1992 movie My Cousin Vinny in which the judge ordered a character to rise and face the judge and speak in a clear voice. Brown said the protesters meant to disrupt by standing during oral argument and addressing the court and gallery. (LAW.COM, March 3, 2017, by Tony Mauro)