Edwards v. South Carolina is significant because it limited states’ ability to
:
restrict the freedom of speech.
In March, 1961, a number of African-American high school and college students gathered at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. From there they marched in groups to the South Carolina State House in a peaceful protest march concerning civil rights of black American citizens. They maintained a peaceful, non-violent approach throughout their activity. Nevertheless, police officials insisted that they had to stop their assembly and disperse within 15 minutes, or be arrested. They did not disperse; they sang spiritual and patriotic songs. 187 persons were arrested and charged with disturbing the peace.
The students who were arrested and punished sought justice through the court system, and their case, known as Edwards v. South Carolina, was decided by the US Supreme Court in 1963. The Court held that the Constitution (specifically the 1st and 14th Amendments) did not allow state government officials or police to force a crowd to disperse when they are otherwise behaving legally. Marching in front of a state house in a peaceful manner is a protected form of free speech. Edwards v. South Carolina protected the right of citizens to assemble and
express their views in a peaceful protest.
